MDHHS awards 399 schools MI HEARTSafe designation

Record numbers for both first-time and total awardees

LANSING, Mich. - For more than a decade, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS), in partnership with the Michigan Department of Education (MDE), American Heart Association, Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA) and Michigan Alliance for Prevention of Sudden Cardiac Death of the Young (MAP-SCDY), has honored schools that go above and beyond to prepare for cardiac emergencies by awarding them with the MI HEARTSafe designation. This year's honorees will be celebrated during a hybrid ceremony, taking place both virtually and in-person, hosted at MHSAA in East Lansing, Friday, Nov. 7.

Since the program's launch in 2013, a total of 1,196 schools have earned this recognition. For the 2024-25 school year, a record-breaking 399 schools are being acknowledged for their commitment to student safety, including 202 schools receiving the designation for the first time, marking the highest number of new and total awardees in the program's history. Currently, 965 schools across Michigan hold active MI HEARTSafe status.

"Increasing awareness of the signs of cardiac arrest and being prepared to respond timely to a cardiac emergency can help decrease incidences of sudden cardiac death among Michigan youth," said Elizabeth Hertel, MDHHS director. "With the passage of legislation to enhance the ability of Michigan schools to respond to cardiac emergencies, the safety and health of our students continues to be a priority."

House Bills 5527 and 5528, which were passed and signed into law last year, establish comprehensive safety requirements for schools that include cardiac emergency response plans.

To qualify for the MI HEARTSafe School designation, schools must meet the following criteria:

• Maintain a written cardiac emergency response plan and a team capable of responding to emergencies during school hours and extracurricular activities.
• Ensure at least 10% of staff and 50% of coaches are CPR/automated external defibrillator (AED)-certified, including 100% of head coaches and physical education staff.
• Have a sufficient number of accessible, well-maintained and clearly marked AEDs.
• Conduct annual cardiac emergency response drills.
• Complete pre-participation sports screenings for all student athletes using the current physical and history form endorsed by MHSAA.

"We are proud to support Michigan's HEARTSafe schools," said MDE Interim State Superintendent Dr. Sue C. Carnell. "Ensuring schools are prepared for sudden cardiac emergencies through planning, training, and life-saving AEDs is a critical part of having safer learning environments for students, staff, and the community."

Maintaining the MI HEARTSafe designation remains a vital part of school safety efforts. Resources to help schools meet the criteria are available on the MI HEARTSafe Schools website. In January 2026, MAP-SCDY will host a virtual workshop to guide schools through the process of becoming MI HEARTSafe. Continuing education credits will be offered for nurses and school staff. The ultimate goal is for every Michigan school to be HEARTSafe.

A list of participating schools is available online.

For more information, visit MIgrc.org/MIHEARTSafe or email [email protected].

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Media interested in attending the 2025 MI HEARTSafe award ceremony virtually or in person should contact Laina Stebbins at [email protected].