In the wake of Hurricane Helene, which has devastated the lives of over half a million North Carolinians, Alabama nurse Lisa Jones, assistant district clinic director for the Alabama Department of Public Health’s East Central District, has stepped up to provide critical support to those in need. Her dedication and tireless efforts have earned her the honor of being named the Daily Nurse Nurse of the Week.
As a volunteer with the Alabama Department of Public Health, Jones has been on the ground since October 13, working 12-hour shifts at an American Red Cross shelter in Hendersonville. “One lady, she had a stroke, I think (because of) the stress of the whole situation; we’re seeing a lot of that,” Jones told Alabama Daily News. “A lot of mental health needs; we were seeing people just freaking out; people lost everything.”
Jones is part of an eight-nurse team dispatched under the Emergency Medical Aid Compact, a crucial interstate agreement designed to provide assistance during disasters. As they prepare to transition to a different shelter in Hudson, the emotional toll on displaced residents is palpable. “The shelter’s about to close, so they’re starting to panic because they don’t know where they’re going,” Jones shared.
The mental health challenges are staggering. “The mental health status of people here, I don’t have words for it. They’re scared; some of them already had mental health issues, and this has just exacerbated that,” she explained. The situation is particularly dire in areas heavily populated by older adults and individuals with disabilities, who face heightened vulnerabilities in the aftermath of the hurricane.
With the death toll from Hurricane Helene climbing above 230 and damages exceeding $50 billion, the scope of the devastation is monumental. “The devastation is just incredible,” said Dr. Scott Harris, Alabama’s Public Health Officer, highlighting the dire conditions in North Carolina.
Despite the grim circumstances, Jones finds her work immensely rewarding. “I’ve been with Public Health for 18 years and have always been willing to go, and this was an opportunity to help a lot of people,” she reflected. Her unwavering commitment to serving those in crisis is why Lisa Jones deserves the Daily Nurse Nurse of the Week honor—her compassion and dedication exemplify the true spirit of nursing in times of need.
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