Hurricane season is in full swing in the southeastern U.S., and Florida is often the epicenter of powerful storms that can impact local communities for weeks, months — even years.

Hurricane Milton made landfall as a Category 3 storm on Oct. 9, 2024, bringing devastating wind, rain and storm surge to the area.

During large storms and natural disasters, DaVita teammates in affected regions not only worry about the patients they care for, but also the safety of their own families and homes.

Latoria Williams, a patient care technician (PCT) at DaVita, expressed how grateful she is that, through DaVita, she has more than a job: she has a community to come back to after the storm.

“The part that inspires me to get up and come to work and be able do my job is that we all pulled together, not just as a team, but as a family,” Williams said. “It’s not just coming to work to take care of our patients; it’s your teammates calling to make sure you are okay; and if you need a hug, we can hug it out. Taking care of each other makes a world of difference.”

In the wake of Hurricane Milton, many teammates are facing scarce access to needed resources. DaVita is prioritizing taking care of those who take care of their patients.

Mike Lombard, a DaVita regional operations director in the area, was present as fuel tankers were set up outside the dialysis centers.

“If we don’t respond, if we don’t perform, the health of our community is going to suffer,” Lombard said. “DaVita amazingly arranged to have tankers of fuel arrive at multiple locations. It really makes you feel special as a teammate, and most importantly, it helps the people who are taking care of our patients know we are paying attention to their needs so they can provide life-sustaining care to our patients.”

In addition to fuel, DaVita found shelter for many teammates who were displaced. They also delivered supplies such as food and diapers for teammates in need.

“It’s important we make sure our teammates are safe, making sure they have a place to go, assessing needs so that we can have teammates to care for our patients,” said Kathy Enfinger, a people services director for DaVita.

“These patients see our teammates three, sometimes four days a week,” Enfinger said. “It’s that extended continuity of care and family, some of these patients don’t even have family, so for them to come in not only gives them access to treatment, but also brightens their day.”