CANHI’s Community Health Workers (CHWs) are essential to implementing the program initiatives. CANHI’s CHWs take part in ongoing training to enhance their skills and ability to better serve the community.

On April 4, 2023, 11 CANHI CHWs participated in the Basic Life Support (BLS) for Healthcare Providers Training course taught by Fire Captain, Gary Farmer. BLS (Basic Life Support) training is essential for healthcare providers and community health workers, as it equips them with the knowledge and skills needed to provide immediate assistance to individuals who are experiencing cardiac arrest or other life-threatening emergencies. BLS training provides a standardized approach to basic life support that includes key skills such as recognizing the signs of cardiac arrest, performing high-quality chest compressions, providing appropriate rescue breaths, and using automated external defibrillators (AEDs) to restore the heart's normal rhythm.

For community health workers, BLS training is particularly important as they are often the first point of contact for individuals who may be experiencing a medical emergency. By having the skills to perform BLS, community health workers can provide crucial initial care that can help stabilize patients and increase their chances of survival. In addition to providing lifesaving care, BLS training can also help healthcare providers and community health workers feel more confident and prepared to respond to emergencies. This can ultimately lead to better outcomes for individuals in emergency situations and can help improve overall healthcare quality in the community.

Congratulations to: Tracere Kennedy, Esther Ruffin, Mary Wedgeworth, Shakira Matthews, Karen Henderson, Ashley Rollins, Cynthia Wilson, Shantavis Core, Whitney Coleman, Tracy Jones, and Ayanna Sterling on successfully completing the BLS training course! Each participant successfully completed the hands-on training course and will receive a BLS certification approved and authorized by the American Heart Association (AHA).

We would also like to extend a huge “Thank You” to Fire Captain Farmer!

CANHI CHW BLS Training Testimonials

“I appreciate the CPR training class that was sponsored by CANHI. I feel the training provided skills for CHWs to have an effective healthcare role in the community.” – Cynthia Wilson, CHW

"I felt empowered to be able to administer CPR on an Adult and Child." - Mary Wedgeworth, CHW

"I really needed a refresher on CPR training, now that I've been retrained in CPR I feel more competent about saving a life if someone near me is in danger! " Shantavis Core, CHW