In this local story, I captured impact perspectives from PeaceHealth, health professionals and government in an effort to piece together a picture of what emergency healthcare would look like in Eugene without its only hospital.

During the reporting process, I felt disconnected in some ways as the closure was an event that had not yet taken place.

A year later, I experienced urgent health problems that required an emergency room visit. I was the storyteller until I became the story. This was a valuable lesson in the responsibilities I have as a journalist to inform my community and keep it safe.