AHN Launches 'Building Bridges' Initiative to Equip Students with Lifesaving Emergency Response Skills

PITTSBURGH - Allegheny Health Network's (AHN) Emergency Medicine Department is launching a new community outreach initiative designed to empower young people with the knowledge and confidence to respond during medical emergencies.

Called Building Bridges, the program connects AHN clinicians and health care professionals with local high school students to provide hands-on training in critical bystander response skills that can save lives before emergency responders arrive.

The inaugural Building Bridges training will take place at Kiski Area High School on Friday, Oct. 9, where approximately 500 students in grades 11 and 12 will participate in interactive training sessions led by experts from Emergency Medicine, Nursing, Prehospital Care Services and the AHN STAR Center.

Students will rotate through five learning stations focused on:

• CPR
• Recognizing and responding to seizures and diabetic emergencies
• Stroke awareness and response
• Stop the Bleed® training
• Proper use of Narcan and EpiPens

The event will be divided into morning and afternoon sessions, with students rotating through each training station in small groups to gain practical, hands-on experience.

"Emergencies can happen anywhere, and often the first person on the scene is not a medical professional," said Rani Kumar, MD, medical director of Pediatric Emergency Medicine at AHN. "Through Building Bridges, we're giving students the skills and confidence to step in, stay calm and potentially save a life while help is on the way. Just as importantly, we're building stronger connections with the communities we serve and helping young people see the many opportunities available in health care."

In addition to emergency response training, representatives from the AHN Talent Attraction Program (TAP) and the AHN Schools of Nursing will be on site to share information about education and career pathways in health care. Students will have the opportunity to learn about nursing, emergency medicine and other clinical and non-clinical professions available across AHN.

"Kiski Area High School is committed to preparing students for success both inside and outside the classroom," said Matt Smith, principal of Kiski Area High School. "This training with AHN provides our students with practical skills that could one day help them save a life while also exposing them to meaningful career opportunities in health care. We are excited to be the first school to participate in the Building Bridges program."

Building Bridges reflects AHN's ongoing commitment to community health, education and workforce development by bringing expertise directly into local schools and providing students with tools that can make a meaningful difference in their communities.

As the program expands, AHN plans to partner with additional schools across western Pennsylvania to continue teaching lifesaving skills and inspiring the next generation of health care professionals.