Last week, Gayton Elementary School, Elko Middle School and Henrico High School were awarded banners after being recognized as heart-safe schools by Project ADAM and the Children's Hospital of Richmond at VCU.
These three HCPS schools achieved this distinction in the spring by demonstrating preparedness for sudden cardiac arrest. These schools met all 14 standards set by Project ADAM to become a heart-safe school, which include readily available automated external defibrillators (AEDs) with clear signage, a designated cardiac emergency response team, regular cardiac emergency training and more.
Dr. John Phillips, a pediatric cardiologist at the Children's Hospital of Richmond at VCU, visited each school to present the banner to principals, administrators, school nurses and HCPS health staff. Henrico School Board members Marcie Shea (Tuckahoe) and Ryan Young (Fairfield) also joined in the honors at Gayton and Henrico, respectively.
There are approximately 350,000 sudden cardiac arrests in the U.S. each year, about 90% of which are fatal, making immediate response to these situations critical. Project ADAM has helped save the lives of more than 200 youth and adults in schools, and these three schools are now more equipped than ever to possibly save someone's life when an emergency arises.
There are 24 K-12 schools in Virginia that have earned heart-safe designations. Several Henrico schools are actively working toward reaching that benchmark next year.
To learn more about Project ADAM, visit https://www.chrichmond.org/services/childrens-hospital-foundation-heart-center/heart-center-specialities/project-adam.
