Cardiac emergencies can happen anywhere at any time, and being prepared could be the difference between life and death. Schools across Henrico, following in the footsteps of three schools in spring 2024, have worked diligently toward the goal of becoming fully prepared to respond to these emergencies.
These efforts by school nurses, administrators and staff members have resulted in Project ADAM Heart Safe School Designations at every HCPS elementary, middle and high school through the Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU. This makes Henrico County Public Schools the largest school division in the state to fully meet Project ADAM’s rigorous benchmarks for cardiac emergency response.
“What an amazing feat for a county as large as Henrico to take on the task of ensuring that every campus in Henrico is a healthier and safer place for our children and neighbors to congregate,” said Dr. John R. Phillips, pediatric cardiologist at the Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU. “Henrico is a beautiful example of how a community can come together for the good of all.”
Heart-safe designated schools meet standards set in a checklist by Project ADAM, which includes but is not limited to:
Readily available automated external defibrillators (AEDs) with clear signage
A designated cardiac emergency response team
Regular cardiac emergency training for staff
An identified CPR-AED site coordinator
A written cardiac response plan practiced through drills
Collaboration with local emergency medical services and first responders
Project ADAM (Automated Defibrillators in Adam’s Memory) is a national nonprofit committed to saving lives through advocacy, education, preparedness and collaboration. The Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU became the first and only Project ADAM affiliate in Virginia in 2022 and has guided schools on proper training and equipment in the event of cardiac arrest on school campuses. Dr. Phillips serves as the medical director of the Virginia affiliate of Project ADAM.
In 2024, Henrico High School, Elko Middle School and Gayton Elementary School became the first schools in Henrico to be recognized by Project ADAM, followed by HCPS’ other eight comprehensive high schools in 2025. Every remaining elementary and middle school in Henrico completed the thorough preparedness training during the 2025-26 school year.
To learn more about Project ADAM and its affiliation with the Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU, visit https://www.chrichmond.org/services/childrens-hospital-foundation-heart-center/heart-center-specialities/project-adam.