Student-athlete organizes CPR training

Gemma Jefferson ’21 is working to get USN students CPR trained beginning with her own teammates.
By Sierra Smith, Communications Specialist

More than 350,000 cardiac arrests occur outside of a hospital each year. According to the American Heart Association, about 90% of those arrests result in death; however, a person’s chances of survival can double or even triple if CPR is administered immediately. 

Gemma Jefferson ’21 is working to make sure USN students can contribute to increasing the cardiac arrest survival rate; her goal is to get all University School of Nashville students CPR trained before they graduate. 

“I guess I just started realizing how important it is to know how to do it. It seems like we all know people who have passed away from cardiac arrest that could’ve been saved or, on the other side of that, we know people who were saved because someone knew CPR,” Gemma said. 

Although the COVID-19 pandemic has presented obstacles for scheduling training sessions, Gemma’s mission is off to a great start. Over the past several months, Gemma worked with High School Dean of Student Life Justin Karpinos and High School Girls’ Soccer Coach Megan Masuhr to hold a CPR training session for her teammates. 

“Being on a team and playing soccer is more than kicking a ball and scoring goals,” Masuhr said. “By being members of the soccer team, our players are provided with the opportunity to become lifelong learners and positive participants within our community. When Gemma brought this idea, it was without question that we would have the team complete this CPR training even if it meant time off the field.”

Held at the River Campus, which allowed for appropriate distancing, 16 of the team’s players received hands-only CPR training followed by a question and answer session to learn more about preventing cardiac arrest fatalities.

“You hear stories all the time of athletes, even people our age, collapsing during a workout, so starting with my teammates felt like a good way to see if holding [CPR] training right now was even possible,” Gemma shared. 

Not only was CPR training in a COVID-19 protocol-compliant way possible, it turned out to be a memorable teambuilding moment, too. 

“I think it brought us all closer together just feeling empowered and knowing that we have this skill and in any moment we all could work together to save someone’s life,” Gemma said. 

Masuhr echoed the effect the training had on the players, and coaches, as well. 

“The life lessons and memories from soccer are what our student-athletes will carry with them through life. It was quite impressive to have Gemma lead this experience and for us coaches to observe our players in action,” Masuhr said. 
Back

More USN News

List of 3 news stories.

  • Henry Knowles ’26 delivers the Commencement address on Sunday, May 17 on the Back Lawn.

    USN graduates 98 plus 1 during Commencement

    Seniors turned their tassels and graduated from University School of Nashville on Sunday, May 17, on the Back Lawn. Visit usn.org/classof2026 for more highlights from their last year on Edgehill and to learn what they will do next.
    Read More

  • Spring sports season ends with podium finishes, trophies

    The girls lacrosse team ended its season in overtime to become state runner-up. Tennis players Carter Kojetin '29 finished as a state quarterfinalist, Sophie Oliver '26 and Mary Kate Adler '28 finished as state semifinalists, and Veer Kodali '29 and Max Parker '29 finished as state champions. Meanwhile, eight runners competed at the state track and field meet in Knoxville, where Griffin Davidson '27, Caleb Freifeld '28, Drew Zwerner '28, and Jack Fruin '27, sprinted to first in the 4x800m relay and Jack also placed first in the 800m dash.
    Read More
  • Interim Director Juliet Douglas roars with laughter as students hold photos of her on sticks during the High School Awards Assembly on Friday, May 8 in Durnan Auditorium.

    USN creates the Juliet Douglas Endowed Fund for Student Success

    For the entire USN community: an invitation to give in gratitude, in celebration, and in honor of the woman who has given so much to our school. Make a gift at usn.org/giving to support students with needs beyond tuition and honor Interim Director Juliet Douglas.
    Read More
Archive

Contact

Edgehill Campus
2000 Edgehill Ave.
Nashville, TN 37212

Phone:  615-321-8000
Fax:       615-321-0889 
Email:    info@usn.org

River Campus
1200 County Hospital Road
Nashville, TN 37218

Resources

USN Mission: 
University School of Nashville models the best educational practices. In an environment that represents the cultural and ethnic composition of Metropolitan Nashville, USN fosters each student’s intellectual, artistic, and athletic potential, valuing and inspiring integrity, creative expression, a love of learning, and the pursuit of excellence.