As part of Haywood Regional Medical Center’s ongoing Humans Who Heal campaign — a series designed to spotlight the compassion and dedication of team members across all departments — we are excited to highlight Chase Mease. Chase plays a vital role as a transporter and is a recent graduate of our Nurse Aide I training program, a clear demonstration of his commitment to growing within the field and providing exceptional patient-centered care.

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What is your role at the hospital, and how long have you been here? I work as a transporter, and I’ve been here for over 10 months.

What inspired you to go into healthcare or your specific role? Caring for people has always been important to me, especially making sure people feel comfortable, which can mean a lot in places like a hospital.

How do you feel your work impacts patients or the community? My job is all about caring for people. Whether I'm transporting them or just being present, I want them to feel seen and safe.

What does “healing” mean to you — whether physically, emotionally, or in another way? Healing means providing top-quality care and giving patients someone they feel comfortable with, someone who listens and cares.

Can you share a moment or memory that has stuck with you during your time here? What really stands out to me are the personal connections. I’ve seen patients out in the community who recognize me and stop to say hi. That really means something — that I made a difference in their life.

What’s something people might not know about your role or department? That we’re awesome! We work hard every day to make patients feel comfortable and supported from the moment they walk in.

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Chase’s story is a testament to the dedication and heart that shines through in every patient interaction. Whether transporting a patient to their next appointment or offering a friendly smile in the hallway, Chase plays an important role in helping patients feel safe, supported, and seen—reminding us all that healing happens in many forms.