PG&E Grant Supports Advanced CPR Training Classroom

The French Hospital Medical Center (FHMC) Foundation is pleased to announce that a $50,000 grant from Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) will help equip a CPR training classroom in the Copeland Health Education Pavilion at FHMC with the most advanced medical equipment and technology.

These resources in the new CPR training classroom will enable FHMC educators to provide superior training and education to medical and emergency personnel.

In recognition of the grant from PG&E, this advanced classroom will be named the Pacific Gas and Electric CPR Training Classroom. This specialty

classroom will be available for advanced training for nurses, physicians, emergency services technicians, and other medical personnel. Among the advanced training tools in the Pacific Gas and Electric CPR Training Classroom are four voice-assisted manikins, which provide feedback on ventilations and chest compressions via a computer that is attached to the manikins. These manikins provide a realistic patient experience for health care provider training. 

In addition to the Pacific Gas and Electric CPR Training Classroom, the $50,000 grant from PG&E will also help support a separate classroom in the Copeland Health Education Pavilion for use by the local American Red Cross, free of charge, for CPR classes offered to the community.  FHMC also plans to work collaboratively with other organizations in the community to provide emergency preparedness training in the Pavilion. 

Furthermore, FHMC will partner with the American Red Cross and the Sheriff's Task Force on Public Safety to enhance these organizations’ professional education and community outreach efforts.

FHMC welcomes all opportunities to provide classes to schools, local youth groups, and volunteer service groups, as well.

“We are grateful to PG&E for this generous grant that will allow us to provide our health care providers access to a training classroom equipped with the most advanced medical equipment and technology,” says FHMC President and CEO Alan Iftiniuk. “This funding will also greatly expand our capacity to educate the community at large on emergency preparedness and disaster training.” 

Ed Halpin, PG&E Senior Vice President, Generation and Chief Nuclear Officer. says, "It is an honor for us to support the team of local professionals at French Hospital in helping save lives.  The health and safety of our communities is always PG&E’s highest priority.” Halpin continues, “The new advanced CPR training classroom will ensure our local community members and first responders have the resources available to heighten their levels of emergency preparedness throughout the county. The classroom is yet another great example of what we as a community are doing to make sure San Luis Obispo County is the most prepared county in the nation.” 

About French Hospital Medical Center

French Hospital Medical Center, located in San Luis Obispo, California, has been named one of the Nation’s 100 Top Hospitals by Truven Health Analytics, and is rated among the top hospitals in the nation for cardiac, orthopedic and GI services. French Hospital has achieved prestigious designation as a Primary Stroke Center by the Joint Commission. The Copeland, Forbes, and Rossi Cardiac Care Center provides the latest innovative cardiac and imaging technology. The hospital is home to the unique Hearst Cancer Resource Center offering free education, resources and support to cancer patients and their families. In addition, an expansion and modernization project is underway at French Hospital, including the new Copeland Health Education Pavilion, which provides the community access to comprehensive health care education resources free of charge.   French is a Dignity Health Central Coast hospital which also includes Arroyo Grande Community Hospital in Arroyo Grande, CA, Marian Regional Medical Center in Santa Maria, CA, St. John’s Regional Medical Center in Oxnard, CA and St. John’s Pleasant Valley in Camarillo, CA. Dignity Health Central Coast is an integrated network of top quality hospitals, physicians from the most prestigious medical schools, and comprehensive outpatient services including primary care offices, premier ambulatory surgery centers, technologically-advanced laboratories and imaging centers and a full service home health agency; all recognized for quality, safety and service.  Each hospital is supported by an active philanthropic Foundation to help meet the growing health care needs of our communities.