In November 2022 CHoR became the first and only Project ADAM affiliate in Virginia. This designation means a team at the hospital can grant the designation of “Project ADAM heart safe school” to any school in the state that meets the criteria to show its preparedness for responding to a sudden cardiac arrest on school grounds. Our role as a children’s hospital includes caring for families in our hospitals and clinics, as well as creating healthier communities outside our walls. Becoming a Project ADAM affiliate allows our team to share their expertise so others throughout the commonwealth stand ready to save lives.
Project ADAM (Automated Defibrillation in Adam’s Memory) is a national non-profit committed to saving lives through advocacy, education, preparedness and collaboration. It was developed in memory of Adam Lemel, who suffered a sudden cardiac arrest and died while playing basketball. Defibrillation with an AED could have saved his life. In partnership with health care affiliates throughout the nation, Project ADAM helps schools and communities ensure they’re prepared to care for students, faculty, staff and visitors who may experience a sudden cardiac arrest like Adam’s.
Project ADAM has helped save the lives of more than 200 youth and adults in schools. There are approximately 350,000 sudden cardiac arrests in the U.S. each year, about 90 percent of which are fatal. When you consider 20 percent of a community is in its schools most days – during educational time, sports and other extracurricular activities – many lives can be saved through access to AEDs and proper education and practice to address these medical emergencies when they arise.
804-628-HRTS (4787)
Virginia school personnel and parents interested in their schools becoming heart safe designated can contact Dr. John Phillips, medical director or Lexi Stevens, program coordinator to learn more about getting started.
If your program is ready for re-designation (required every three years), please complete this re-designation form.
NOTE: Programs that are applying for the first time must contact the team to discuss designation. Please do not use this form if you are not currently a Project ADAM-designated program.
