Dupont Hospital and Leo High School Partnering for CPR Training

Three years ago, Dupont Hospital and Leo High School created a CPR program through an educational partnership. That program has now trained close to 600 Leo High School students in adult and infant/child CPR. "Dupont learned that Leo's CPR program was limited, and we wanted to help," said Stacy Junk, Human Resources Team Specialist, Dupont Hospital. "We felt that offering CPR training to the students was something we could do that could really make a difference in the community."

Mary Ellen McAfee, Team Educator, Dupont Hospital (left) teaches Leo High School students infant/child CPR. Standing (l-r): Cassie Cocks, Aaron Crow, Kendra Davis and Lisa Smitley. Seated (l-r): Caitlin Welch and Kirsten Westerman.

For a two-week period each spring, Dupont supplies certified CPR team members to teach the American Heart Association's two-hour CPR in Schools course. The course, which is offered to all freshmen free-of-charge, is taught at the high school during the day as part of the regular health curriculum. All training equipment and course materials are also provided free-of-charge to the school. This year, more than 200 students completed the course.

"Sudden cardiac arrest is a leading cause of death in the United States," said Mary Ellen McAfee, Team Educator, Dupont Hospital. "Quality CPR improves a victim's chances of survival. Students in this age group often baby-sit young children, work in restaurants or come into contact with people who may be at risk for heart disease, such as their grandparents. We want to make sure that, should they encounter such an emergency, they have the knowledge and skills to provide basic life support and possibly save a life."

"All of the students who participated in the class this year took it very seriously," said Junk. "Because they were so committed, they were all successful in completing the course requirements. We are very proud of them, and we know they now have the skills they need to really make a difference. And that's what Dupont Hospital is all about."