PENDER COUNTY, NC – Pender County Schools (PCS) is excited to announce an upcoming event that marks a significant milestone in ensuring the safety and well-being of its students. On April 17, 2024, South Topsail Elementary School (STES) and Topsail Middle School (TMS) will participate in a mock cardiac emergency drill in collaboration with advisors from Project Adam.
This initiative is part of PCS's commitment to proactive safety measures, with the aim of achieving the designation of "Heart Safe School" through Project Adam. Both STES and TMS are set to become the first pilot schools to reach this esteemed designation.
The mock cardiac emergency drill at TMS will commence at 2:45 p.m., followed by a similar drill at STES at approximately 4:00 p.m. Once the drills are successfully completed, both schools will be officially recognized as "Heart Safe Schools."
Project ADAM began in 1999 in Wisconsin after the tragic death of Adam Lemel, who was just 17 years old when he collapsed and died while playing basketball. Defibrillation, or an AED, could have saved his life. Adam’s parents, Patty and Joe, teamed up with Children’s Wisconsin to create Project ADAM.
While sudden cardiac arrest is uncommon in young people, it sadly does happen. And it’s exactly that — sudden and unexpected. But, immediate CPR and the availability of an AED can double or triple a person’s chance of survival. So, while you can’t predict when one might strike, you can plan your response. That’s where Project ADAM is making a difference.
PCS Project ADAM coordinator and school nurse at STES Jamie Uhlman, has worked with TMS school nurse Jessica Chewning, administrators, designated staff members trained as first responders, parents, and the cardiology department at Duke University (Salim F. Idriss, MD, PhD; Danielle Sturkey, MSN, CPNP-PC) to bring this project to life.
This initiative is driven in part by parent Lesslie Duncan, whose daughter Becca has a fragile cardiac disorder and highlights Pender County Schools’ proactive approach to ensuring the safety and well-being of its students and staff. By participating in initiatives like Project Adam, the district continues to prioritize the health and safety of its school community.
The remainder of our school campuses are set to receive designations prior to the start of the 24-25 school year.