Allegheny Health Network is taking emergency response training into local classrooms through a new initiative designed to prepare students for real-life medical emergencies.
The program, called Building Bridges, made its debut Oct. 9 at Kiski Area High School, where approximately 500 juniors and seniors participated in hands-on training led by AHN emergency medicine physicians, nurses, prehospital care professionals and educators from the network's STAR Center.
Students rotated through five interactive learning stations focused on CPR, stroke recognition and response, seizure and diabetic emergency awareness, Stop the Bleed training, and the proper use of Narcan and EpiPens. The goal is to provide students with practical skills they can use if
they encounter a medical emergency before first responders arrive.
"Emergencies can happen anywhere, and often the first person on the scene is not a medical professional," said Dr. Rani Kumar, medical director of Pediatric Emergency Medicine at AHN. She said the program aims to give students the confidence to stay calm and potentially save a life while help is on the way.
Beyond emergency response training, the initiative also introduces students to possible careers in health care. Representatives from AHN's Talent Attraction Program and Schools of Nursing were on hand to discuss educational opportunities and career paths in nursing, emergency medicine and other clinical and non-clinical fields.
Kiski Area High School was the first school selected for the program, but AHN plans to expand Building Bridges to additional schools across western Pennsylvania. Network leaders say the initiative reflects AHN's broader commitment to community health, education and workforce development while helping inspire the next generation of health care professionals.
This story was produced by reporter Gabby Sartori, [gsartori@usatodayco.com], with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Journalists were involved in every step of the review, editing and publishing process. Learn more at cm.usatoday.com/ethical-conduct.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: AHN takes lifesaving training into western Pennsylvania classrooms
