When Hurricane Helene ravaged the southeastern United States, media attention and relief efforts largely focused on the devastation in major cities like Asheville, North Carolina. But for the small, rural town of Burnsville, less than an hour away, the damage was just as severe, if not worse. Isolated and underserved, Burnsville struggled in the aftermath of the hurricane, with its residents facing widespread flooding, mudslides and ongoing challenges as temperatures dropped.
In the face of these overwhelming circumstances, Amna Khan, a first-year medical student at VCOM-Carolinas, stepped up to make a difference. Her hometown of Burnsville was left in dire need, with minimal outside help. Bodies were still being recovered from mudslides and the damage caused by fallen trees. With homes destroyed and essential services knocked offline, the community found itself largely forgotten. But Amna refused to let Burnsville be overlooked.
Amna organized a massive relief effort, working in coordination with VCOM students from all four campuses, including VCOM-Carolinas student Faith Baxter and VCOM-Louisiana’s Christine Le, president of the Student Osteopathic Medical Association (SOMA) student organization. Their work became a beacon of hope for Burnsville’s residents, as the donations and funds they raised enabled Amna to directly deliver much-needed supplies to her rural community.
With much of Burnsville lacking WiFi or cell service, the town set up a hotspot in the town square, allowing residents to communicate their needs through Facebook and other social media. Amna, her brother Omar Khan (a fellow medical student), her father Aman Khan and volunteers like nurse Ayshunti Patterson used this digital lifeline to gather requests for essential supplies. They delivered everything from food and water to blankets and medical equipment. Residents who could reach the town square picked up their supplies, while those isolated by the storm had donations delivered by local citizens and volunteers, often using four-wheelers and off-road vehicles to navigate blocked roads.
“We’d drive where we could, where there were still roads left,” Amna explained, “and we’d hike and meet families that were stuck at what was left of their residences.”
But Amna’s efforts didn’t stop there. Her mother, Dr. Shehla Khan, an MD working at Blue Ridge Medical Center under HCA Healthcare, took the initiative to open a temporary walk-in clinic to address the urgent medical needs of Burnsville’s residents. With help from HCA, FEMA and local authorities, the clinic became a critical lifeline for those in the area.
Many people had gone days without necessary medications, and we saw a rise in health emergencies like anaphylactic reactions from bees washed up by the flooding. The clinic has been crucial in providing care to people who would have otherwise gone without.
While some assistance from FEMA and other organizations began to trickle in, it was the collective efforts of local residents like Amna and her family that truly began to turn the tide.
The work isn’t over, however. With temperatures rapidly dropping in the mountains, the need for warm clothing and shelter remains critical. Amna continues to balance her medical education with her commitment to her hometown, taking trips back to Burnsville during breaks from school to ensure the flow of supplies continues.
As Burnsville’s recovery stretches on, Amna’s work is a reminder of the often-overlooked rural communities that are equally affected by natural disasters. Her dedication, along with the contributions of the VCOM community, highlights the importance of grassroots relief efforts in providing hope to underserved areas in times of crisis.
