Haywood Regional Medical Center is excited to launch Humans Who Heal, a new storytelling campaign that celebrates the individuals across all departments who make healing possible. While nurses and physicians are often front and center, this campaign recognizes that quality care depends on every role, from behind-the-scenes support to bedside interactions.

Each person featured will respond to the same set of questions, allowing their unique experiences and perspectives to shine. The first spotlight in the series features Susan Wilder, RN, who works in Clinical Education and Stroke Coordination.

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What is your role at the hospital, and how long have you been here? I’m a Clinical Educator and Stroke Coordinator. I’ve been with Haywood Regional for 6 years.

What inspired you to go into healthcare (or your specific role)? When I was 13, my dad was hospitalized with a ruptured diverticulitis and spent time in a surgical ICU. Watching his journey, and learning basic clinical skills through his care, showed me that I loved the environment and taking care of people. That experience led me to nursing.

What do you love most about your job? As an educator, I love when the “lightbulb moment” happens. When staff truly understand why we teach what we do and how it directly helps our patients. Those moments are so rewarding.

How do you feel your work impacts patients or the community? Clinical education touches almost every part of the hospital. We’re not just teaching, we’re also rolling out new equipment, communicating policy updates, and guiding staff through process changes. It’s all about improving the quality of care and keeping everyone aligned with best practices.

Can you share a moment or memory that has stuck with you during your time here? During Hurricane Helene, the love, care, and support from everyone in the hospital was something I’ll never forget. It was a true example of community and compassion within our walls.

What does “healing” mean to you—whether physically, emotionally, or in another way? Healing is physical, emotional, and mental. I really believe our hospital supports all of those aspects during a patient’s stay, not just their medical condition.

What’s something people might not know about your role or department? Clinical Education is more than just teaching. We help bring in and implement new equipment, explain changing policies, and troubleshoot when staff are confused. There’s also a strong focus on quality and

making sure we’re always aligned with the most current standards to give our patients the best care possible.

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Humans Who Heal will continue throughout the year, spotlighting team members from all departments and sharing the many ways healing happens throughout the hospital. Every role has a story, and every story matters