Mission Health honors beloved colleague Kim Stepp with tree planting ceremony
Asheville, N.C. — As the one-year anniversary of Hurricane Helene approaches, colleagues at Asheville Cardiology Associates (ACA), an affiliate of Mission Health, gathered Friday to honor the memory of Kim Kutscher Stepp, a longtime team member whose life was tragically cut short during last year’s storm.
Kim Stepp drowned when floodwaters from Hurricane Helene swept away her Fairview home. Her young grandson survived by clinging to a tree, a story that touched hearts across the community during the storm’s aftermath.
On Friday at 11:45am, under a soft early autumn sky, ACA staff, friends, and family came together at 5 Vanderbilt Park Drive to plant a tree in Kim’s honor. The tree stands as a living tribute to a woman described by colleagues as the heart of their team.
“Kim gave so much of herself to this organization over the years, always with heart, integrity, and a spirit that lifted everyone,” said Kimberly Harris, Director of Physician Services for ACA. “If you knew Kim, you were truly blessed.”
Dozens of employees attended the emotional ceremony, many moved to tears as they shared memories of their friend and teammate. Kim’s daughter and sister stood alongside her former colleagues, united in grief but also in celebration of the life she lived and the impact she made.
The memorial tree is meant to symbolize Kim’s strength, compassion, and the roots she put down in both her workplace and community. As it grows, the Mission team hopes it will serve as a lasting reminder of the “shade she gave to those in need” and the life she helped others live more fully.
Memories shared at the ceremony show that the team still feels the heartache of losing Kim, but they also feel her presence — in the stories, the tears, and now in this tree that will stand here in her name.
As the anniversary of Hurricane Helene nears, this moment of remembrance stands as a testament to resilience, healing, and the enduring legacy of a woman whose kindness and dedication will not be forgotten.