Iredell Health Foundation Awards $24,000 to Iredell-Statesville Schools for Purchase of Life-Saving AEDs
Pictured from left to right: Miles Atkins, Director of Iredell Health Foundation; Genia Caldwell, ISS District Lead Nurse; Dr. Jeff James, ISS District Superintendent; Kim Holland, Iredell Health Foundation Development Coordinator; Dr. David Cash, Iredell Health System trustee and former ISS board member; Joshua Self, Vice President of Operations at Iredell Health System; Dr. Shayla Savage, ISS Chief Student Services Officer; and Cindy Haynes, School Board Member.
In American schools with Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs), 70% of children survive cardiac arrest. That’s seven times the overall survival rate for children. Thanks to a generous gift from the Iredell Health Foundation, Iredell-Statesville Schools have now purchased 16 new AEDs to be distributed to schools across the district.
The new AEDs will replace units that have been in service since 1992—well beyond their recommended 10-year lifespan. These upgraded devices can treat both adult and pediatric patients and will be installed at 16 school sites throughout the district, improving access to lifesaving emergency equipment for students and staff.
This gift came about after members of the Foundation’s Board of Directors discovered that ISS was planning to replace AEDs district-wide but were limited by funding and unable to fulfill the entirety of their goal. These additional 16 devices ensure each location needing a replacement will receive one.
The $24,000 gift was made possible through donations made to the Foundation’s Cardiac & Vascular Care Fund. Proceeds from the organization’s annual Heart of Jazz event make up much of that fund.
According to Genia Caldwell, BSN, RN, NCSN, Lead Nurse for Iredell-Statesville Schools, replacing the aging AEDs is essential for maintaining readiness in medical emergencies. “Our current AEDs have served faithfully for over three decades, but they’re well past the recommended replacement age,” said Caldwell.
When Caldwell was the school nurse at South Iredell High School, a coach suffered a major cardiac event and passed away on campus.
“A student found him. I would love for that to have been a different outcome, not just for him and his family, but for that student. That is a memory no one should have to live with.”
After this tragedy, SIHS purchased two more AEDs. Fortunately, the recent gift from the Foundation ensures a high level of access to the devices across the school district. “These new units will help safeguard approximately 10,000 students and 1,000 staff members. Many of our schools do not have a full-time nurse every day, so having reliable, accessible AEDs and trained staff truly can make the difference between life and death,” said Caldwell. “We’re incredibly grateful to the Iredell Health Foundation for making this possible.”
Rick Dunn, owner of and instructor at Premier Safety Consultants, will supply and install the new devices as well as provide training to ISS staff.
AEDs purchased through this initiative will be placed at the following schools:
- Agriculture and Early Science College (ASEC) at NIHS
- Career Academy & Technical School (CATS)
- Central Elementary
- Cloverleaf
- Crossroads Early College (Statesville High School)
- East Iredell Middle School
- Lakeshore Middle School
- South Iredell High School (ROTC Building)
- NB Mills Elementary
- Unity Preschool
- Shepherd Elementary
- West Iredell Middle School
- Woodland Heights Middle School
- Celeste Elementary
- Harmony Elementary
- Union Grove Elementary
“This investment reflects the very heart of our mission,” said Jim Johnston, Chair of the Iredell Health Foundation Board of Directors. “The Foundation exists to strengthen the health and wellness of our community. By equipping our schools with modern AEDs, we’re helping protect the lives of thousands of students, teachers, and staff each day.”
About the Cardiac & Vascular Care Fund
Give the gift of heart health by contributing to the Cardiac & Vascular Care Fund, which supports the purchase of new cardiac and vascular equipment, patient assistance programs, and educational initiatives. Every donation helps ensure that residents of Iredell County can live longer, healthier lives.
Each year, the Foundation hosts Heart of Jazz, a music-filled evening that raises funds to enhance cardiac and vascular services throughout the community. To become a sponsor or learn more about this event, visit HeartofJazz.org.
About Iredell Health Foundation
The Iredell Health Foundation is a 501(C)3 nonprofit organization responsible for philanthropy for Iredell Health System. It supports the system’s programs and services through donor-centered fundraising. The Foundation focuses on raising community awareness of specific programs that need funding and provides individuals and organizations hoping to make a difference and leave a legacy the opportunity to support local healthcare needs of their choice. To learn more, or to make a donation, visit www.iredellhealthfoundation.org or call 704-878-7669.
About Iredell Health System
Iredell Health System includes Iredell Memorial Hospital; Iredell Davis Medical Center; Iredell Davis Behavioral Health Hospital; Iredell Mooresville; Iredell Home Health; Iredell Wound Care & Hyperbaric Center; Community and Corporate Wellness; Occupational Medicine; the Iredell Physician Network and more. Iredell Memorial Hospital is the largest nonprofit hospital in Iredell County. The comprehensive healthcare organization has 391 licensed beds; over 2,300 employees; and has approximately 365 healthcare providers representing various specialties. Centers of excellence include Women’s and Children’s; Cardiovascular; Cancer; Surgical Services and Wellness & Prevention. The health system’s Iredell Mooresville campus is home to the area’s only 24-hour urgent care facility, as well as an ambulatory surgery center, imaging center, rehabilitation services, and physician practices. The mission of Iredell Health System is to inspire wellbeing. For a comprehensive list of services and programs, visit www.iredellhealth.org.
Previous
