Secretary Dev Sangvai dedicated his day to aid in the ongoing recovery efforts in western North Carolina, a region devastated by Hurricane Helene, as reported by NC Department of Health and Human Services. His itinerary included stops at an Avery County distribution center, where he joined forces with FEMA to distribute critical supplies to hurricane victims, and the Mitchell County Department of Social Services (DSS), where he assessed damage and discussed long-term recovery plans.
Despite the personal risks posed by California wildfires, several FEMA team members have elected to focus their efforts on the North Carolina hurricane response. "NCDHHS continues to be grateful for their ongoing dedication and support for our western communities," Sangvai said, acknowledging the selflessness of these volunteers, as per the NC Department of Health and Human Services.
At Mitchell County Department of Social Services, Sangvai met with Department of Social Services Director Wendy Boone, who shared the struggles faced during the peak of the storm, which included power outages and broken infrastructure that hampered both shelter management and communication. Secretary Sangvai recognized these hardships and pledged ongoing support to rebuild and strengthen community resilience, saying, "I am committed to helping communities in every corner of western North Carolina as they work toward the long-term recovery from Hurricane Helene’s devastating impact," according to the same NC Department of Health and Human Services report.
The agenda also included a visit to Broughton Hospital, where staffing shortages have impaired the psychiatric hospital's ability to fully serve its patients. Over 300 positions remain vacant, constraining the hospital's operational capacity. Secretary Sangvai emphasized his priority of addressing these issues in collaboration with the North Carolina General Assembly, expressing gratitude for the staff's commitment: "My experience as a family physician gives me a strong understanding of the critical roles state hospital workers play. I look forward to working together to boost the workforce with recruitment and retention efforts to give employees as well as patients the support and care they deserve," he told NC Department of Health and Human Services.
