Healthy Heart Collaborative
The Health Heart Collaborative focuses on cardiac health with goals of educating and advancing sudden cardiac death awareness as well as the promotion of cardiovascular health in the High Country community.
The Healthy Heart Collaborative was formed in 2017 between the Omar Carter Foundation, the Appalachian Institute for Health and Wellness (formerly IHHS), and the Appalachian Regional Hospital System (ARHS).
Programs and Information
CPR and AED Certifications
Learn how to save a life through CPR and/or AED certification. The Healthy Heart Collaborative offers numerous training opportunities to learn about saving lives through CPR and AED.
We offer certification to Appalachian State University faculty, staff, and students only.
Community Members seeking AHA certification should contact:
For more information or if you have questions, please contact Mary Sheryl Horine at horinems@appstate.edu or Heidi Tait at taithr@appstate.edu.
Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification
The AHA’s BLS Provider training is designed for healthcare providers and trained responders who provide care to patients in a wide variety of settings or for those in a healthcare training program. This course teaches BLS skills for application in both in-facility and prehospital settings, with a focus on high-quality CPR, improvement of chest compression fraction, and high-performing team dynamics. The BLS training teaches rescue techniques for adults, children, and infants.
(for BCHS faculty, staff, and students only)
Heartsaver TOTAL First Aid CPR/AED Certification (Includes OSHA, Adult, & Pediatric)
The AHA’s Heartsaver TOTAL First Aid CPR AED course trains participants to provide first aid, CPR, and use an automated external defibrillator (AED) in a safe, timely, and effective manner. This course is geared towards anyone with limited or no medical training who needs a course completion card in First Aid, CPR and AED use to meet job, regulatory, or other requirements. Students are empowered to act with confidence in the event of an emergency at work, home, or in the community. Includes OSHA, Adult, & Pediatric.
(for AppState faculty and staff only)
Learn more about the CPR certification process
Follow our guide to learn about the steps towards certification.
Training Opportunities by Group
Register for Training Opportunities by Group
BCHS Faculty and Staff
- May receive Heartsaver (HS) training from HPFS. Request this course here.
- May receive BLS training through Outreach and Education. Request this course here.
- May receive American Red Cross First Aid, CPR/AED training through University Recreation.
BCHS Students
- May receive BLS training through Outreach and Education. Request this course here.
- May receive American Red Cross First Aid, CPR/AED training through University Recreation.
Non-BCHS Faculty and Staff
- May receive Heartsaver (HS) training through HPFS. Request this course here.
- May receive American Red Cross First Aid, CPR/AED training through University Recreation.
Non-BCHS Students
- May receive American Red Cross First Aid, CPR/AED training through University Recreation.
Pricing
Following successful completion of online learning and in-person skills testing, each student will receive a Course Completion Card valid for two years. Pricing is per individual.
Costs to be invoiced directly from Watauga Medical Center.
| Certification | Online Course Cost | eCard Cost | Total Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic Life Support (BLS) | $40.00 | $10.00 | $50.00 |
| Heartsaver First Aid CPR/AED | $25.00 | $18.00 | $43.00 |
Pricing updated June 9, 2025