Issue link: https://viewer.e-digitaledition.com/i/779373
6 CRHEALTHCARE.ORG Mor a Hpita WHEN HURRICANE MATTHEW DOWNED POWER LINES AND DESTROYED HOMES, COLUMBUS COUNTY RESIDENTS NEEDED A REFUGE. THEY KNEW WHERE TO TURN. BY THE NUMBERS In rain or shine, Columbus Regional Healthcare System stands by Columbus County. These 2016 contributions to the community are part of what makes us more than a hospital. A MISSION STEEPED in SERVICE At Columbus Regional Healthcare System, the entire team and hospital structure centers around a singular cause: to be whatever the community needs us to be. And that's exactly what happened when Hurricane Matthew left many residents displaced starting Saturday, Oct. 8th. "The hurricane hit harder than many of us predicted," says Terrie Priest, vice president of Business Development and Community Relations at CRHS, "By Sunday, winds ceased and water damage took its toll. We stepped up to serve, because that's why we're here." A SOURCE OF STABILITY For local residents who needed to plug their oxygen concentrators into a power source, we shared our generator. Others simply wanted to enjoy a hot meal and lacked electricity at home to cook one. When they saw comments about our fully operating kitchen, many stopped by to eat with neighbors and friends. Up to 500 additional meals were served Sunday afternoon. Many businesses, including our own Urgent Care and Physician Offices, couldn't operate during the crisis period. To meet the needs of our community, our ambulatory surgery unit housed our Urgent Care staff, where they provided care to many patients who would have had to travel elsewhere for non- emergency situations. "Regardless of the type of situation, we offered our resources," Priest says. HOME AWAY FROM HOME We turned vacant rooms into housing spaces for teammates and borrowed extra cots from a nearby hospital. These slept team members as well, as many stayed overnight or multiple days to lend a helping hand. "I'm proud of our entire team of heroes who, even when dealing with troubles of their own, prioritized patient care," Priest says. "They stayed strong for everyone." In an attempt to serve our teammates who lost homes or had extensive damage, our Employee Emergency Care Fund was there to help with immediate needs of those who suffered the most. TOGETHER AS ONE "Our providers added money to this fund, and community members and vendors gave in excess to make sure team members were taken care of," Priest says. "To me, this describes perfectly the relationships built inside these walls. We are a family, and we stay true to that," Priest says. Want to learn about other community efforts and how you can help? Visit crhealthcare.org/community-outreach. To contribute financially and help us extend our mission to serve Columbus County, call 910-642-9303. HEALTHCARE SERVICES: $259 miion CHARITY CARE: $1.9 miion UNCOMPENSATED CARE: $11.7 miion $12.4 miion IN COMMUNITY HEALTHCARE BENEFIT OUR PAYROLL AND BENEFITS: $44.5 miion WE EMPLOY 598 employ AND 80% OF OUR EMPLOYEES LIVE IN COLUMBUS COUNTY.