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Nationally recognized program strengthens lifesaving readiness across campus
Palmer Trinity School (PTS) is proud to announce that it has received designation as a Project ADAM Heart Safe School, given to schools that demonstrate exceptional preparedness for responding to sudden cardiac arrest in the young (SCA-y). This recognition reflects Palmer Trinity’s commitment to building a safe, responsive environment where faculty and staff are trained, equipped, and empowered to act quickly when every second matters.
Project ADAM is a national community-based initiative founded in 1999 at Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin, now known as Children’s Wisconsin, following a series of sudden cardiac deaths in youth. Today the program partners with hospitals and school systems across the country to help schools develop Cardiac Emergency Response Plans (CERPs)—structured, evidence-based protocols proven to dramatically improve survival outcomes.
In South Florida, Project ADAM is led by clinicians from Nicklaus Children’s Heart Institute who provide schools with training, drills, and strategic guidance. Their mission is clear: “Project ADAM is a program about saving lives one heart at a time.” Through education, preparedness, and access to lifesaving tools, the program ensures that school communities are ready to respond immediately to cardiac emergencies. In just two years, South Florida Project ADAM schools have saved nine out of 10 lives on school campuses prior to the arrival of Emergency Medical Services (EMS).
To earn the Heart Safe School designation, Palmer Trinity completed a comprehensive, multi-step process that included establishing a trained Cardiac Emergency Response Team (CERT), conducting hands-on cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and automated external defibrillators (AED) training for faculty and staff, reviewing AED placement, maintenance and accessibility across campus, completing a full-scale cardiac emergency drill under the guidance of Project ADAM trainers, and developing clear communication protocols with EMS.
“Achieving Project ADAM certification reinforces our commitment to maintaining a safe and prepared school environment,” said Patrick Roberts, Head of School at Palmer Trinity. “Our faculty and staff have embraced this training with seriousness and compassion. Their readiness ensures that our community is equipped to respond decisively in a cardiac emergency.”
PTS school nurse, Patricia Lema, added: “Earlier this year, our community faced a real emergency. While our team responded effectively, the experience underscored the importance of strengthening our preparedness even further. Pursuing Project ADAM certification became an essential next step—one that ensures multiple members of our faculty and staff are thoroughly trained and ready to act when every second matters. The skills our staff have gained are invaluable, and the program has strengthened our confidence in responding to emergencies.”
Representatives from Nicklaus Children’s Hospital praised Palmer Trinity’s commitment to preparedness. Melissa Olen, APRN, CCDS, FHRS, Director of South Florida Project ADAM said: “When a cardiac arrest happens in a school, every second counts. With proper training we transform panic into preparation. Palmer Trinity School’s commitment to safety ensures that faculty and students are equipped to respond immediately, because those first few minutes can mean the difference between life and tragedy.”
This designation underscores Palmer Trinity School’s dedication to fostering a secure, informed, and prepared learning environment for all.
