When Winter Storms Come, Healthcare Doesn’t Stop

When a winter storm is approaching, hospitals don’t wait to see what happens. They prepare—because they don’t close.

The 24/7 Nature of Healthcare

The 24/7 nature of healthcare, especially on the inpatient side, is difficult to fully appreciate until you experience it firsthand. Severe weather doesn’t pause illness, injury, or emergencies. People still need care, and the system is built to respond.

I remember the first time a major weather event was forecast after I started working in healthcare. It was eye-opening. Conference rooms were converted into sleeping spaces. Air mattresses and pillows were pulled from office closets. Staff were told they might need to stay until relief could arrive. Public Safety and Grounds teams doubled their presence to keep operations running safely.

The message was clear: patient care continues, no matter what.

To be clear, I support that wholeheartedly. It’s one of the things I admire most about healthcare.

In 2022, our second son required an emergency appendectomy in the middle of a significant winter storm that forced many other businesses to shut down. Despite the conditions, every physician, nurse, and staff member we needed was there—on time, prepared, and fully present. That experience reinforced just how deeply committed healthcare professionals are to the people they serve.

The Costs to Coworkers

At the same time, the always-on nature of healthcare comes at a cost. Long shifts, disrupted rest, missed family time, and the expectation to show up regardless of circumstances take a real toll over time. Dedication alone doesn’t make people immune to exhaustion.

This tension—between a system that must never stop and the humans who keep it running—is something I think about often. It’s also why I’ve focused much of my work on burnout prevention, recovery, and sustainability in high-stakes professions.

Healthcare doesn’t need less commitment. It needs better support for the people who carry that commitment day after day.

Help for the Helpers

For those interested in going deeper, I’ve created practical, CE-approved courses designed for healthcare professionals and leaders who want to better understand burnout and build more sustainable ways of working. You can explore those resources at MyBurnoutHub.com.