16 Mar 2015 Conway Regional donates AED to school in Greenbrier

Conway Regional Health System recently donated an AED (automated external defibrillator) to Ambassador Baptist Academy in Greenbrier as part of its commitment to improving the health of the community.

Alan Finley of Greenbrier, Conway Regional’s Chief Operating Officer, presented the AED to school principal Josh Mendenhall.  

“We are very thankful for your investment in us and concern for the safety and well-being of not only our students but also of the teachers and parents,” said Mendenhall. “An AED is one of those things that you hope you never have to use but you are thankful to have it.”

An AED is a device about the size of a laptop computer that analyzes the heart’s rhythm for any abnormalities and, if necessary, directs the rescuer to deliver an electrical shock to the victim. This shock, called defibrillation, may help the heart to reestablish an effective rhythm of its own. A defibrillator is the only known device/technique that stops chaotic electrical heart activity to allow the heart to re-pace itself to a normal rhythm.

Conway Regional has donated 54 AEDs to schools, ballparks and fitness centers throughout Faulkner County since 2008. The AEDs are funded through the Conway Regional Health Foundation, conwayregional.org/Foundation.

“This is a community safety priority for Conway Regional. The medical community is keenly aware of the importance of having AEDs in public areas. As Faulkner County’s community health system, it is our responsibility to help ensure AED access in these areas,” said Finley. “If an AED helps save the life of one person, it is more than worth the investment.”

Sarah Duck, an RN in the labor and delivery department at the Conway Regional Women’s Center, made the Conway Regional Health Foundation aware of the need at the school. Duck, who is a CPR instructor, will train school officials in the safe use of the AED. While children rarely experience cardiac distress, the AED will also be accessible for school officials, parents and other visitors at the school and at school events.