HCA Virginia provides $25k grant to improve cardiac arrest survival

HCA Virginia, the commonwealth’s most comprehensive healthcare network, is supporting free CPR education and placing life-saving devices in several high-need communities through a $25,000 grant to the Compress and Shock Foundation. The grant will facilitate the placement of 12 automated external defibrillators (AEDs) in Central, Northern and Southwest Virginia. AEDs are devices designed to deliver a controlled electrical shock to people experiencing sudden cardiac arrest, potentially saving lives. The Compress and Shock Foundation brings free and equitable access to CPR and AED education to communities most affected by cardiac arrest due to certain demographic and socioeconomic factors.

“We are excited to partner with HCA Virginia to bring free and equitable access to CPR and AED education to communities across the commonwealth,” said Dr. Jack Perkins, founder and executive director of the Compress and Shock Foundation. “These funds will help us procure additional AEDs with a specific dedication to those communities most adversely affected by cardiac arrest due to race, ethnicity, primary language or access to healthcare education.”

The grant is part of the HCA Healthcare Foundation’s Healthier Tomorrow Fund, a $75 million community impact fund supporting innovative initiatives focused on addressing high-priority community needs and health equity. Aside from the 12 AEDs, the grant will support the Compress and Shock Foundation’s free CPR and AED trainings throughout Virginia.

Recently, HCA Virginia colleagues supported three no-cost CPR and AED trainings in Richmond, Roanoke and Petersburg. Nearly 300 learners attended the trainings, including 150 participants at Hill Street Baptist Church in Roanoke, 90 at Petersburg Public Library and 35 at Waymakers Foundation in Richmond. Three AEDs were donated in conjunction with these training events.

“Partnerships play a crucial role in advancing our mission to care for and improve human life,” said Christopher Finley, assistant vice president of community engagement for HCA Healthcare’s Capital Division. “By collaborating with organizations like the Compress and Shock Foundation, we can collectively achieve more for our communities than we could individually.”