SGMC Health has launched HeartReady Communities, a community-focused initiative designed to improve preparedness and response to cardiac emergencies through education, collaboration, and access to lifesaving resources.
The HeartReady Communities program brings together SGMC Health, local organizations, schools, businesses, and community partners with a shared goal: helping more people recognize cardiac emergencies and respond quickly and effectively. Sudden cardiac arrest can happen anywhere, and early intervention is critical to survival.
The initiative is supported by SGMC Health’s advanced cardiovascular capabilities, including its designation as the region’s only Level I Emergency Cardiac Care Center, the highest level of recognition awarded by the Georgia Department of Public Health. Level I Emergency Cardiac Care Centers meet rigorous standards for rapid diagnosis, intervention, and coordinated care during cardiac emergencies.
“HeartReady Communities builds on the training and education our teams already provide to first responders across the region,” said Emily Brown, EMS and Trauma Director at SGMC Health. “By expanding that focus into the broader community, we are strengthening the chain of survival and helping ensure more people are prepared to act when seconds matter.”
Through existing outreach and education efforts now aligned under HeartReady Communities, SGMC Health has donated 29 automated external defibrillators (AEDs) through the Jump Start a Heart program to first responders, schools, churches, and community organizations across the region. In addition, SGMC Health teams have delivered 103 continuing education classes focused on cardiac awareness and emergency response, resulting in 918 community members trained in lifesaving skills.
The program works in partnership with the SGMC Health Foundation to place lifesaving equipment in community settings where it can be quickly accessed during cardiac emergencies, further strengthening community readiness.
Through HeartReady Communities, SGMC Health supports community efforts centered on cardiac awareness, emergency response readiness, coordination with local emergency responders, and access to critical lifesaving tools. The initiative reinforces the health system’s ongoing collaboration with EMS agencies and first responders, while extending education and preparedness beyond traditional clinical and emergency settings.
The program reflects SGMC Health’s leadership in advanced cardiovascular care and community education, with a focus on proactive preparation and shared responsibility to improve outcomes from cardiac events.
Organizations interested in learning more about the HeartReady Communities program or exploring partnership opportunities can visit sgmc.org/heartready.