The Sacred Heart Cathedral Sports Medicine Department has proven it is a leader among California high schools in heart safety under the direction of Athletic Trainers Oscar Melero and Jessica Markbreiter.  

In 2019, SHC was recognized with the Safe Sports School Award.  The National Athletic Trainers' Association (NATA) awards this distinction to high schools throughout the country that meet stringent criteria in providing medical/health services to student-athletes.  Of the 1,339 high schools and 259 charter high schools in California, SHC is one of only 28 schools that has earned this award.  

More recently, through partnership with UCSF and Project ADAM, SHC has earned the designation of a Heart Safe School, the only high school in the Bay Area to receive this distinction.

The achievement came as a result of SHC school leadership's and Sports Medicine team's wish to ensure that the Sacred Heart Cathedral community is prepared to provide an immediate response to someone suffering a life-threatening cardiac emergency.  In conjunction with UCSF physicians, the SHC faculty and staff practiced drills, rehearsing the emergency action plan and demonstrating emergency response skills. 

SHC also expanded emergency first aid education beyond the athletic coaches. Faculty and staff now have the opportunity to obtain certification in CPR/AED/First Aid through on-campus classes taught by SHC Athletic Trainers and certified course instructors Melero and Markbreiter.  Currently, 76 faculty and staff members are certified in CPR/AED/First Aid through Melero and Markbreiter. 

In addition, SHC has obtained 17 additional AEDs, for a total of 28, to be installed on every floor of the La Salle and De Paul campuses and the Student Life Center. 

In the United States, it is estimated that 356,000 adults experience out-of-hospital cardiac arrest annually, as well as 23,000 pediatric cardiac arrests. The likelihood of survival increases with prompt intervention.  Thanks to the efforts of the SHC Sports Medicine team with support from school administration, Sacred Heart Cathedral continues its commitment to the health and safety of the SHC community and guests who enter our doors. 

GO IRISH!