From Crisis to Care, Pharmacies Step Up

Essential, critical, vital, trusted, beacons of light, and guardians in the storm: These were just some of the words used by patients who came to the community pharmacy after Hurricane Helene. September 27, 2024, is the day that changed western North Carolina, the day darkness came both literally and figuratively to our region. Two days earlier, I was driving home to Rutherfordton, North Carolina, from Hendersonville. At the time, I was a second-year professional pharmacy student at Wingate University, which had announced a switch to online learning for September 25 and 26 after hearing heavy storms were headed our way. Looking back, “heavy storms” was a complete understatement.

I woke the next morning to no power, water, or Wi-Fi, and trees down everywhere. My phone had service for a few hours before switching to SOS mode. Everything was in disarray. People were displaced, emotions were high, and fear spread through communities across western North Carolina.

Two days later, I was finally able to leave my house. The first place I went was to my job at CVS in Rutherfordton. When I walked through the door, almost all of our staff were already there. Like me, they came as they were—without showering, teeth brushed with bottled water, and plenty of ponytails worn—in store No. 03559 because there was no power at anybody’s home. However, my coworkers and I left our own problems at the door and put our patients first.

During my shift, I saw patients from Lake Lure, Hendersonville, Columbus, Asheville, and many other areas. My manager, Lauri Keeney, gave us one simple rule: If a patient has a prescription bottle and needs the medication refilled, we give what we can.

North Carolina had issued an order allowing emergency 30-day supplies of medication. At our pharmacy, we documented everything and focused on one main goal: to help people and worry about the cleanup later. Lauri handled thousands of bottles as we dispensed medications to people who had lost not only their prescriptions but also often everything they owned. Being on the front lines with her leadership made me feel like we were truly making a difference. When everything else was closed, the pharmacy was open.

A few days later, Lauri called and asked if I wanted to travel with her and others to help at a store in Asheville. Asheville had been one of the hardest-hit areas after the main city water line broke, leaving residents without water for more than 56 days. Without hesitation, I agreed. I wanted to help people, and I knew the need there would be even greater.

When we arrived, Lauri opened the trunk of her car and, true to her character, she had prepared an entire meal for the staff at that store. Soon after starting work, I overheard a patient in the drive-through lane. She had lost her entire home and had only the clothes on her back and her car. She needed cardiovascular and antihypertensive medications and was terrified of going without them. Watching the relief on her face when we were able to help her was unforgettable. She thanked us and told us we had relieved an immense amount of stress.

Moments like that made it clear that community pharmacy is truly boots on the ground during a disaster. Even when patients lost everything, pharmacists and technicians were there to ensure at least one burden could be lifted. Taking one load off someone’s shoulders may seem small, but a load is still a load, no matter the weight.

Working in the pharmacy during this emergency gave me an experience I will carry with me for the rest of my life. Serving patients in the community pharmacy setting can be challenging at times, with long days, complex decisions, and the responsibility of delivering timely care to those who depend on us. This experience reminded me that pharmacists are needed, valued, and deeply appreciated.

Community pharmacies became the backbone of hurricane relief. Without them, many patients would have gone without lifesaving medications, which could have further crippled emergency services and providers who were tending to people with critical needs in the area. When I wrote my personal statement to apply to Wingate University School of Pharmacy, I emphasized one main thing: I wanted to help people. Hurricane Helene allowed me to live out that promise. I worked to be there for people who had no one, who had lost everything. I worked to support my community.

Community pharmacies are access points, safe places, and sources of stability when everything else feels uncertain. They are essential, critical, vital, trusted, beacons of light, and guardians in the storm. What an honor to be part of the effort that kept the lights on in a place of darkness.