The Monroe College School of Allied Health Professions, in conjunction with the college’s Department of Continuing Education, has been certified by the American Heart Association (AHA) as a training center for CPR, First Aid, and Automated External Defibrillation (AED). 

“Given society’s emphasis on dealing with emergency situations, these courses are useful for professionals in a wide range of fields and for members of the community who want knowledge and skills at the ready,” said Professor Gary Albert, the Director of Continuing Education.

Monroe is the only college in New York City that has been AHA certified, according to Robert Collins, AHA Training Network Manager for New York City and Long Island.  “As an educational institution,” Mr. Collins said, “Monroe can be most effective in helping us reach our training goals.”  The AHA hopes to train 20 million people across the country by the year 2010.

In addition to individual students, the AHA certified courses at Monroe are geared for groups, corporations, small business, and any other organizations that are concerned about preparedness.  In fact, courses have already been designed for Monroe students in the School of Criminal Justice, students studying Culinary Arts, as well as high school students in the college’s free Jumpstart programs.  

“People might be surprised to discover that the skills learned in these courses can have impact in many professions,” said Monroe Coordinator of Continuing Education Professor Collette Campbell.  “Consider not only police officers, but even restaurant proprietors who could be faced with choking or other customer emergencies.  These courses help everyone be prepared.”