In late January 2026, Winter Storm Fern brought historic winter conditions to large portions of the United States, including northeast Louisiana. The storm, stretching more than 2,000 miles and affecting an estimated 245 million people, brought ice, freezing rain, and record-breaking cold, creating hazardous travel conditions, downed power lines, and widespread utility outages.
Amid that widespread disruption, the VCOM community, including students, faculty, and staff, lived out the very best of its values—care, compassion, and mutual support—despite the storm forcing a week-long campus closure.
Impact on Healthcare Workers and Local Hospitals
Michael Rommen, DO, VCOM-Louisiana discipline chair and associate professor for Emergency Medicine, who is also an emergency department physician at St. Francis Health, worked back-to-back shifts during the storm as conditions deteriorated. Roads became treacherous with ice, ambulances were temporarily unable to leave the parish, and hospital infrastructure faced challenges.
“That weekend, I worked consecutive shifts in the emergency department as the storm moved through. Given worsening road conditions, I stayed overnight near the hospital on both Saturday and Sunday nights to avoid being stranded,” Dr. Rommen recalls. “The hospital temporarily lost power and ran on generators. Later, water was trucked in.”
His return home late Monday night after a fifth shift involved navigating downed trees, powerlines, and near-total darkness. It underscored just how serious conditions were and how quickly everyday essentials like heat and electricity can be taken for granted.
The VCOM Family Steps Up, Facing the Chill Together
In the face of these challenges, members of the VCOM family found ways to support one another that reflected the strength of their community, even as they endured the storm's harsh conditions.
Faculty and staff invited students into their homes for warmth, meals, or company. Students hosted one another, checking in on peers, sharing food, and studying together despite ongoing power and connectivity challenges.
Once it was safe to travel, Dr. Rommen and his wife, Crystal, opened their home to several second-year VCOM students whose housing or travel plans had been disrupted by the storm. This meant the difference between isolation and belonging to those students.
Class of 2029’s Caleb Boudreaux and Grant Dupaty were fortunate to have both power and water. Several of their classmates were not as lucky. They quickly opened their home to those friends, and what was expected to be a day or two soon turned into an entire week.
Caleb reflected on the experience: “For us, the decision to open our home was an easy one. We both come from the Houma–Thibodaux area of South Louisiana and are no strangers to natural disasters. Offering hospitality felt like the least we could do, knowing our friends would have done the same for us.”
He added, “Somewhat humorously, our Wi-Fi network is named ‘The Trauma Bay.’ That week, the name seemed fitting in a new way, as the experience created a sense of shared resilience and camaraderie that brought us closer together. It was an unplanned week, but one I will carry with me for the rest of my life.”
Staying Connected to Assist
Support extended beyond housing. Student Affairs organized a “family meal” in the VCOM parking lot, serving jambalaya so students could enjoy a hot meal and connect during the storm. The department also coordinated outreach to check on students’ housing, electricity, and heating needs to help ensure their safety. Even during the campus closure, counseling services remained available by cell phone, continuing to provide support, and the medical education and academic services departments reviewed and adjusted academic schedules to alleviate stress.
Reflecting on those efforts, Tara Lowe, MHA, director for student affairs, emphasized the deeply personal nature of supporting students during challenging times. “While supporting student wellbeing is part of our role, my care for our students is deeply personal. I know how overwhelming it can feel to be far from family and unfamiliar with local resources during uncertain times.”