This summer, Rye Country Day School officially became a Heart Safe School, an acknowledgement that reflects the School’s dedication to the health, safety, and well-being of its community.

On Thursday, June 5, faculty, staff, students, and special guests gathered in the PAC Foyer for a recognition ceremony led by Interim Head of School Dr. Stacey Sotirhos and representatives from Project ADAM New York.

Project ADAM is a nationally recognized program dedicated to preventing sudden cardiac death through education and coordinated emergency response planning in schools and communities.

Rye Deputy Mayor James Ward, RCDS Parents Association representatives Katie Stewart and Katelin Berkowitz, School Nurse Patrice Brophy, who led the School's Project ADAM implementation effort, Interim Head of School Dr. Stacey Sotirhos, and other members of the RCDS community joined the celebration.

During the event, Project ADAM NY Co-Founder and Coordinator Dana Colasante presented Rye Country Day School with its Heart Safe School commemorative banner. This designation represents the culmination of a two-year effort commissioned by Nurse Brophy, who coordinated with Project ADAM, organized trainings, developed the School's Cardiac Response Teams, and oversaw the implementation process required for certification.

Dr. Sotirhos and Nurse Brophy accepted the recognition on behalf of RCDS and spoke about the importance of preparedness, collaboration, and creating a culture of care and safety throughout the community.

“This recognition reflects the commitment of so many people across our community who work every day to ensure the health and safety of our students, faculty, and staff,” said Nurse Brophy. “Being a Heart Safe School is about more than having a plan in place; it’s about building a culture of preparedness, teamwork, and care so that everyone feels supported and protected.”

Following the ceremony, members of the Rye Country Day community participated in a cardiac emergency response drill, demonstrating the emergency preparedness protocols that helped earn the School's Heart Safe designation. The drill highlighted the extensive training and preparation coordinated by Brophy and undertaken by members of RCDS's Cardiac Response Team, a dedicated group of faculty and staff prepared to respond in the event of a cardiac emergency.

Cardiac Response Team members include:
Patrice Brophy
Ryan Horton
Stefano Bicknese
Jacque Robinson
Charlotte Fleischman
Daniel Murray
Genevieve Gaubron
Ariana Wimpy
Jennifer Doran
Donald Kyle
Jessica Zimmerman
Kate Antonelli
Elani Landman
Isadora Machado
Catherine Rosell
Kevin Farrant
Liat Klarfeld
Melissa Liebowitz
Melissa Wirth
Nicholas Fearon
Janice Battista
Russell Tombline
David Menard
Heidi Southard
Mike Kenny
Giovanni Donza

As a Project ADAM Heart Safe School, RCDS continues its commitment to creating an environment where every member of the community can learn, work, and thrive with confidence and care.