Lisa Kohler, MD - AkronCantonMDNews

Free AED Program for State Schools
Completed, National Effort Begins
The Ohio School AED Project, which
placed automated external defibrillators
(AEDs) in Ohio schools, is now complete.
The five-million-dollar project, administered
by Akron General Medical Center in partnership
with Cardiac Science and the American
Heart Association, resulted in the placement
of 4,544 AEDs in schools throughout Ohio.
Terry A. Gordon, DO, a cardiologist with
Northeast Ohio Cardiovascular Specialists
and a member of the medical staff at Akron
General, spearheaded the project.
“Defibrillation from an AED is the single
most effective treatment for starting the heart
after a sudden cardiac arrest, the leading
killer in the United States,” said Dr. Gordon,
who pointed out that every year in America,
over 330,000 people collapse from sudden
Defibrillation from an AED is the single most effective
treatment for starting the heart after a sudden
cardiac arrest, the leading killer in the United States.
Dr. Terry A. Gordon
cardiac arrest. “Already, twelve lives have
been saved in Ohio with these devices.”
Earlier this month, a 13 year-old boy from
Vernon, Ohio, who collapsed at school was
revived through the use of an AED that was
obtained through the project, and similar
cases have been reported by schools across
the state. Schools receiving an AED through
the project were required to form a team of
five people who were trained on the use of
the device. Ohio Senate Bill 321 provided
qualified immunity from civil and criminal
liability of people who provide defibrillation
from one of the AEDs. The AED program
also included CPR training as well as alignment
with local EMS.
Plans are now being made to obtain funding
and expand the program nationally. Dr.
Gordon is working to enlist the aid of state
and congressional leaders to help champion
this most urgent cause and put an AED device
in every school in America. ■
4 6 | GREATER AKRON/CANTON M.D. NEWS JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2008