Northside Hospital-Cherokee Donates AEDs To Six Schools

Staff Report

As Cherokee County students are getting back to work this school year, parents can have peace of mind in knowing that their children’s schools are now equipped to provide the most-timely response in treating victims of cardiac arrest.

Northside Hospital-Cherokee has donated Automatic External Defibrillators (AEDs) to the last six schools in Cherokee County that did not already them. AEDs went to Johnston Elementary, Boston Elementary and Little River Preschool in Woodstock; Ralph Bunche Preschool in Canton; and Oak Grove Elementary and Oak Grove Preschool in Acworth.

Northside Hospital-Cherokee recognizes the importance of stopping sudden cardiac death. According to the American Heart Association, approximately 360,000 out-of-hospital sudden cardiac arrests are reported each year in the United States. AEDs available on the market today are safe and simple to use by non-medical personnel. Voice prompts and visual displays guide the user through the process, while the computerized device accurately assesses the cardiac state of the patient, makes an appropriate therapy decision and administers electric shock, if needed, in order to restore the heart to its natural rhythm.

“Such a device will make our campus so much safer, not only for our students but also for the many guests we have for special events,” said Les Conley, principal of Oak Grove Elementary. “As a Title I school, it is challenging to raise sufficient funds for such a purchase. The generosity of Northside Cherokee will make the Grove a safer, and thereby a happier place.”

Northside Hospital-Cherokee has been a partner In education with the Cherokee County School District for more than 10 years.

“Through our Partners In Education program, Northside Hospital-Cherokee is committed to enriching the learning and success of our partner schools by providing the resources and support that they need,” said Billy Hayes, CEO, Northside Hospital-Cherokee.

The hospital also recently donated an EKG machine to the Healthcare Science Program at Creekview High School in Canton. The program trains students who have an interest in a future career in the medical field.

“Our program would not be the caliber that it is without the support of Northside Hospital,” said Jennifer Whitfield, RN, school nurse at Creekview High School. “We look forward to our partnership for many years to come.”

(Photo: From left to right, Creekview High School Health Care Science students Lily Gilleland, Austin Miles and Alexus Clayton (far right) proudly show off their new EKG, donated by Northside Hospital-Cherokee, with Donald Henriques, community relations coordinator, Northside Hospital-Cherokee and Jennifer Whitfield, RN, Creekview High School Health Care Science. Credit: Northside Hospital-Cherokee)