A Hero in Bright Red Scrubs
When Hurricane Helene unexpectedly hit the High Country, it felt like the world had turned upside down and inside out. In moments like these, when everything seems to have spiraled out of control, we find ourselves looking for someone to lead and guide the way. Stephanie Greer, President of the Avery Healthcare Market, was just the person— she demonstrated true dedication and love for her employees and community.
As rain from the hurricane poured on the morning of Friday, September 27, Stephanie headed into work, faced with a challenge unlike anything she’d ever seen before. In a matter of minutes, the roads had rapidly become impassable, with water pooling in places she had never thought possible. Roads had become rushing rivers. Mudslides cascaded down the hillsides, blocking roads and isolating neighborhoods and homes. Power outages swept through the area, phone towers were wiped out, and virtually all communication ties with Avery County were severed. Stephanie
We’ve
found herself in the eye of the storm, knowing she needed to make it to work—she needed to be there for her employees. Once she arrived at work, Stephanie’s first priority was to check on the staff who had made it through the worst of the storm. With power outages and lost communication making it difficult to reach those outside, she quickly organized resources to ensure Cannon Memorial Hospital could continue providing care.
During and after the storm, Stephanie expressed genuine concern for her employees and community. Many were facing devastating losses; homes had washed away; vehicles were submerged; belongings and livelihoods were destroyed. Stephanie was right there alongside them, not just in her role as a leader, but as a friend. Stephanie, in her bright red scrubs, sat with her employees, consoled them, hugged them, cried with them, and grieved with them. Stephanie not only cared for her employees but her entire community. With her husband by her side, Stephanie
heard that times of crisis can bring out both the best and the worst in
people. I
am blessed to say that I only saw the very best in my teammates and community through all of this. The operational walls between disciplines, departments, and agencies were completely eliminated as we worked toward the common goal of the common good for this community we serve.
- STEPHANIE GREER
personally delivered meals to those in need, including to the local prison and shelters.
When asked about her team, Stephanie said, “We’ve heard that times of crisis can bring out both the best and the worst in people. I am blessed to say that I only saw the very best in my teammates and community through all of this. The operational walls between disciplines, departments, and agencies were completely eliminated as we worked toward the common goal of the common good for this community we serve.”
“I saw our Plant Operations team removing landslide debris with a snowplow so that EMS could access our hospital. I saw people riding UTVs [for] two or more hours to campus because what was left of the highways was too narrow for automobiles. I saw people walking miles to work for the same reason. I saw people move onto our campus with their pets and families because they had nowhere safe to stay and wanted to be available to take care of patients. I saw our nutritional services team provide thousands of meals to employees, shelters, and search and rescue teams with very limited resources,” Stephanie reflects. “We shared the grief of losses and the joys of reunions with loved ones all while working alongside each other. I have so many stories and examples that it would take hours to share everything. But what I will take with me the rest of my life is the seeing firsthand power of the human spirit, the love of community, and the dedication to helping each other.”
We often hear about heroes in movies or books, wearing red capes flapping in the wind, but true heroism is found in people like Stephanie—in bright red scrubs. We’re incredibly fortunate to have a leader like her at UNC Health Appalachian, showing us what it means to lead with compassion, readiness, resilience, and love.
Thank you, Stephanie, for being an inspiration to us all. t
