b'Community and Conservation in the Wake of Hurricane HeleneWhen Hurricane Helene struck North Carolina in late September of 2024, Cone Health quickly extended its commitment to community care, reaching out to support our neighbors in western North Carolina. Hundreds of team members across Cone Health responded to the call for volunteers. Many volunteers shared their experiences, and their personal stories were widely shared through social media, local news coverage and internal communications, highlighting the resilience and compassion of our organization. Our Emergency Management team was among the first to respond, helping to organize resources and coordinate with federal, state and local agencies on the ground. Nurses from across Cone Health volunteered at Haywood Regional Medical Center, located about 30 miles west of Asheville, to help relieve local staff. These nurses provided essential care in the Emergency Department and Labor and Delivery units, ensuring that critical services remained available to patients in need. Their dedication in such a challenging environment reflected Cone Healths commitment to health and healing, extending well beyond our immediate community. In addition to volunteer efforts, Cone Health faced another challenge in the aftermath of the storm: a nationwide intravenous (IV) fluid shortage resulting from damage to Baxters North Cove plant. The shortage began to impact hospitals nationwide shortly after the hurricane and required swift adaptation and careful management of resources across our health system. The shortage of IV fluidscritical to patient care in nearly all areasdemanded an immediate response and long-term planning to sustain our ability to deliver uninterrupted patient care. Our Emergency Operations Center coordinated efforts to conserve our existing supplies, implement new conservation measures and secure additional resources. These efforts included switching to alternative methods where possible and working closely with the Pharmacy team to evaluate other supply options. Weekly updates kept team members informed of the ongoing situation and provided guidance on conservation measures. Media statements were issued as needed to keep the public informed, while internal communications reinforced our unified commitment to patient care through these challenges. This collective response underscored Cone Healths strength and dedication to community care and resource conservation, even in times of crisis. Our teams actions during Hurricane Helene and the ensuing IV fluid shortage embody our values and commitment to making a difference when our communities and patients need it most.CONE HEALTH ANNUAL REPORT11'