American Heart Month: Benefis Provides CPR Training to Elementary Students 

To commemorate American Heart Month, Benefis nurse educators brought the concept of CPR to fourth, fifth, and sixth grade students at Sacajawea Elementary School in Great Falls.

American Heart Association Training Center Coordinator Heather Schriver, along with Nurse Educator Leza Winters and Manager of Provider Practices Krissy Bykonen, worked with the school to obtain the American Heart Association’s “CPR in Schools” training kit, which allowed Heather to share her knowledge with a large number of young students.

After completing the program, the students receive a certificate of participation that identifies their hard work and commitment to learning life-saving techniques. They’re encouraged to share what they’ve learned with loved ones, friends, and neighbors to spread awareness.

“In total, we were able to familiarize 163 students with the concepts of CPR, providing a training opportunity with age-appropriate concepts and hands-on manikin practice of hands-only CPR,” Heather said. “The students and I had a great time, and my colleagues and I couldn't have been more excited for the opportunity to offer this training.”

Thanks to the training kit, CPR training can be a Heart Month tradition at Sacajawea.

“My favorite part of this program is that, while we were able to assist the school with this educational offering this year, they now maintain this kit directly in their school, and it doesn't require official American Heart Association instructors to provide the training,” Heather said. “They can have an internal facilitator provide the training, meaning their staff will now be empowered to continue offering this training to their students for years to come!”