Infusion nurse kayaks through hurricane damage to administer care

When Hurricane Debby brought torrential rain and rising floodwaters to Richmond Hill, Georgia, Kerry, an Optum Infusion Pharmacy nurse, didn’t consider calling off from work. She packed her infusion supplies, grabbed her kayak and paddled through her flooded neighborhood determined to reach her patients.  

“I was the only nurse in the area, and they all depended on me,” she said. “And I couldn’t let them down. It’s more than my job … it’s my promise.”

Kerry knew the storm would make travel nearly impossible. But she also knew that for her patients, missing a scheduled infusion could mean serious setbacks.

Kerry quickly began tracking road closures and weather updates, calling each one of her patients to check on their safety both during and after the storm, and to reassure them she’d be coming to administer their infusions. 

Before the storm hit, she planned ahead by parking her car over a mile away on higher ground and stored emergency supplies – such as backup batteries – inside of it. Once the storm flooded her neighborhood, it didn’t stop her; it just changed her route. She kayaked out of her neighborhood, loaded her gear into her car and headed to her patients. Over the course of a week, she administered infusions to eight patients – each lasting anywhere from two to six hours – across a wide region of southeast Georgia, navigating washed-out roads, fallen trees and power outages against the backdrop of sweltering temperatures.

“Me showing up is their normal,” Kerry said. “And during a time like this, that means everything.”

For patients who lived alone, she was the first person they saw after the storm while they waited for roads to clear and for the power to be restored. She said they were so grateful to see her.

Kerry’s story is extraordinary, but it’s not unusual at Optum Infusion Pharmacy. Across the country, more than 800 Optum home infusion nurses and 140 contracted home health agencies deliver high-quality, cost-effective infusion therapies in the comfort of patients’ homes or nearby outpatient suites.

These clinicians undergo more than 80 hours of training annually, ensuring they’re equipped to provide expert care with empathy and precision. And they’re supported by a national infrastructure that ensures 24/7 access and seamless coordination with providers.

Patients who receive infusions may have conditions such as neurological disorders, autoimmune diseases, immune deficiencies, gastrointestinal conditions, bleeding disorders, alpha-1 antitrypsin (AAT) deficiency or other chronic conditions.

Optum Infusion Pharmacy is redefining what infusion care can look like — not just through clinical excellence, but through human connection. It’s a model built on trust, flexibility and a deep understanding of what patients need to thrive, creating ease through empathy and excellence.

Kerry’s story is just one example of the dedication Optum Infusion Pharmacy clinicians bring to every patient interaction. Optum is committed to replacing complexity with comfort and removing barriers that stand in the way of care, helping patients move forward with greater ease. Most of all, the team shows up with unmatched passion and purpose, because that’s what every patient deserves – no matter the circumstances.