Putnam County School District to offer free ECG screenings for grades 7–12 through Who We Play For partnership

The Putnam County School Board on Jan. 14 heard a presentation about a new, volunteer ECG screening program that will offer free heart screenings for students in grades 7 through 12 in partnership with the nonprofit Who We Play For.

Why it matters: Sudden cardiac arrest is a leading cause of death among student athletes, and presenters told the board that many at‑risk students show no symptoms. Board members asked about consent, scheduling and financial follow‑up; presenters said the program will be opt‑in and that affiliated hospitals and program staff will help families who lack insurance access follow‑up care.

Alana Rojas, identified in the meeting as a representative of Who We Play For, told the board the organization is an eight‑to‑12‑year‑old nonprofit that has screened more than 200,000 students and documented more than 200 confirmed saves. “The chance of survival goes down by 10% every minute that CPR is not performed,” Rojas said, describing the urgency of prevention and screening after recounting a young athlete who collapsed on the field.

Rojas and Melissa Hartman, who the presenters said will be onsite for screenings, described the program’s process: students will pre‑register via a link or paper consent form; screenings take roughly five minutes each; results are returned in about seven to 10 days and are conveyed using a green/yellow/red system (green: cleared; yellow: follow‑up recommended; red: must be seen before participation). Hartman said the team will separate boys and girls during screening and can process about 18–20 students per 20 minutes with the equipment they bring.

Board member Tamara Pickens asked whether the screenings target current athletes; presenters answered the district will initially route students through athletic periods but has opened registration to all middle‑ and high‑school students at each participating campus. Board member “Miss Kavyart” asked who would cover the cost of follow‑up diagnostics for families without insurance; Hartman said the program coordinates with UF Health and pediatric cardiology departments across Florida and will work with families and partner hospitals to secure follow‑up care and, in some cases, financial assistance for testing.

Presenters said the screening equipment uses international criteria to reduce false positives (stated false‑positive rate reduced to about 2%) and that every ECG—normal or abnormal—will be reviewed by a pediatric cardiologist. Hartman said scheduled dates will begin at four schools with an initial run in the coming two weeks; the presenters listed dates on their slide deck and said the first day will be at Putnam County High School, followed by consecutive days at other sites, with Crescent City and QI Roberts among the early campuses scheduled.

Board members asked for clarity about consent: Melissa Hartman confirmed the program is volunteer at the district’s direction; screenings require parental consent and are not mandatory unless district policy later changes. Presenters said parents will receive an email with results and a phone call for yellow or red findings to ensure questions are answered and next steps are explained.

The board did not take a formal vote on the program at the meeting; the presentation concluded with board members expressing support and appreciation. Kenneth Foster, identified in the meeting as the district health coordinator (RN), was credited by board members for coordinating logistics between the schools and the nonprofit.

The district and presenters said they aim to expand screenings beyond the first year if the program proceeds smoothly.

Ending: Board members praised the presentations and encouraged outreach; staff said registration materials would be distributed soon and that parents will be able to register either online or via paper consent forms.