Project ADAM

Norton Children’s, in collaboration with the UofL School of Medicine, is helping provide automated external defibrillators (AEDs) to schools, along with the necessary support and training.

As a Project ADAM affiliate, we help schools across the region become Heart Safe Schools — campuses trained and equipped to respond immediately to cardiac emergencies. Every minute CPR and defibrillation are delayed, survival chances drop by up to 10%.

As an affiliate, our team provides:

  • Education and training on sudden cardiac arrest and emergency response
  • Support in creating and implementing a cardiac emergency response plan (CERP)
  • Guidance on AED placement, drills and staff training
  • Recognition for schools that meet all Heart Safe standards

Heart Safe School Requirements

Heart Safe Schools are prepared to respond when every second counts. To earn this designation, schools must:

  • Ensure automated external defibrillators (AEDs) are available, accessible and clearly marked
  • Identify an emergency response team trained in CPR and AED use
  • Develop and maintain a cardiac emergency response plan (CERP)
  • Conduct regular CPR/AED drills to reinforce readiness and coordination with local EMS

Steps Toward Becoming a Heart Safe School

Evaluate

Once an interested school contacts us, we evaluate what the school currently has in place for their cardiac emergency response plan by using validated tools and checklists to identify areas for improvement.

Practice

We then participate in drills with the school to go through the emergency cardiac response plan and ensure it runs seamlessly. We also can help with CPR and AED application and training.

Designate

After completing the checklist and practicing the response plan, the school will then be designated a Heart Safe School and receive a banner to display this designation. We will contact the school annually for any additional help and to re-evaluate the cardiac emergency response plan.

Contact

For questions, training or to start your school’s Heart Safe journey, email [email protected].

  • Lauren Priddy, BSN, R.N., program coordinator
  • Adam M. Skaff, M.D., pediatric cardiologist, Norton Children’s Heart Institute, and medical director, local Project ADAM affiliate
  • Allison Black, M.D., advocacy coordinator

Project ADAM

Project ADAM (Automated Defibrillators in Adam’s Memory) is a national nonprofit organization founded in 1999 after 17-year-old Adam Lemel died from sudden cardiac arrest during a basketball game. His parents partnered with Children’s Wisconsin to help schools nationwide prepare for cardiac emergencies.

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