At Molloy University, a commitment to community health, service, and hands-on education has taken on life-saving significance, culminating in its designation as a HEARTsafe campus and helping position the Village of Rockville Centre as a HEARTsafe community.
Awarded through the St. Francis Heart Center HEARTsafe Accreditation Program, a Catholic Health initiative, the designation recognizes institutions that implement comprehensive CPR training and coordinated cardiac emergency response protocols. For Molloy, it represents not just an achievement, but years of collaboration led by a dedicated team of faculty, clinicians, students, and community partners.
That journey began with Mary McCormack, DNP, APRN, FNP-C, Associate Professor of Nursing and Director of Molloy’s Doctor of Nursing Practice Program. A Molloy alumna and practicing Family Nurse Practitioner, Dr. McCormack launched the initiative as part of her doctoral work, graduating in 2017. Her project focused on training student-athletes in CPR and AED use, recognizing their increased risk for sudden cardiac arrest.
What started as a targeted effort quickly expanded.
After completing her degree, Dr. McCormack was joined by Carole Zarcone, DNP, APRN, ANP-C, Associate Professor of Nursing and cardiology nurse practitioner at St. Francis Hospital. Now serving as co-directors of HEARTsafe on campus, they extended training beyond athletics, first working through Human Resources at Molloy’s 30 Hempstead Avenue location to offer sessions for faculty and staff.
From there, the initiative grew into a campus-wide effort and was ultimately incorporated into the Freshman Studies program, ensuring that all students, regardless of major, gain exposure to CPR and AED training. The guiding principle was clear: these are life-saving skills that should belong to everyone, not just healthcare professionals.
“Working toward achieving the HEARTsafe Campus designation for Molloy University and the HEARTsafe Community designation for Rockville Centre was a challenging and multifaceted process that required significant coordination and collaboration,” said Dr. Zarcone. “It demanded resilience, determination, and perseverance, but the outcome is unquestionably worthwhile. Educating our community in Hands-Only CPR enhances overall safety and significantly improves survival rates for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.”
For Dr. Zarcone, the work is also deeply personal.
“This work is deeply personal to me—my father passed away at the age of 42 due to cardiac arrest while jogging—and knowing that our efforts may help prevent even one such
loss underscores the importance of this initiative,” she said. “The most fulfilling aspect is witnessing the confidence of individuals we have trained and knowing they feel empowered to save a life.”
Their work is supported by a multidisciplinary team of nursing faculty and community leaders. Elizabeth Cotter, PhD, RN, NPD-BC, and Geraldine Moore, EdD, RN-BC, AEC, both Professors of Nursing, helped lead education efforts, including the creation of the HEARTsafe Badge Program. This micro credential engages high school, undergraduate, and graduate students in cardiac emergency preparedness through training, event leadership, and service, while also strengthening resumes and professional development.
Anthony DiDio, MSN, MBA, RNC-OB, Clinical Assistant Professor and Director of Nursing Programs in Continuing Education, serves as project manager, coordinating operations and leading the planning and execution of training events.
Reflecting on the team’s work, DiDio emphasized the shared purpose behind the initiative.
“Our efforts on the HEARTsafe team as we worked towards an inaugural designation and award has been rewarding for all of us,” he said. “It started small, and since everyone on our team has a personal connection to cardiac health and awareness, we are vested in its success and future plans. Our team is the perfect example of what a dedicated group of nurses can accomplish when we put community, service, and patient safety first.”
Community partnerships have been strengthened by Kathleen Lapkowski, MS, RN, who serves as the Rockville Centre liaison, working closely with municipal leadership, volunteer fire departments, and emergency medical services.
Additional faculty contributions have been instrumental. Dorothy Veron, PhD, RN, NEA-BC, helped develop Molloy’s Cardiac Emergency Response Plan, now available on the University’s website, outlining clear protocols during a cardiac emergency. Jacqueline Flannery, PhD, RN, supports training and outreach efforts, while Heather Reens, PhD, RN, serves as liaison to the Rockville Centre School District, expanding HEARTsafe education into K–12 settings.
The initiative’s reach has also extended nationally through Kendra Hoepper, DNP, APRN, PNP-BC, Associate Professor and Chair of the Nursing Department at Dominican University of California, who is working to replicate the HEARTsafe model on the West Coast.
As the program expanded, so did campus infrastructure. The number of automated external defibrillators (AEDs) increased from nine to 26, now placed strategically across Molloy’s campus, including the Alumni House and the Creative House. Dr. McCormack worked closely with Molloy Public Safety to implement these additions, strengthening emergency readiness across campus.
Beyond infrastructure, the team also developed a culture of preparedness.
In one large-scale effort, all Molloy student-athletes were trained in CPR and AED use within a 48-hour period as part of a community service initiative. Today, students continue to lead many of these efforts through the Molloy Student Nursing Association’s HEARTsafe subcommittee, which plays an active role in organizing campus events and outreach.
The program has also built strong partnerships with advocacy organizations, including the Louis J. Acompora Memorial Foundation and Parent Heart Watch, and has engaged in legislative advocacy efforts in Washington and Albany to expand public access to AEDs and CPR education.
HEARTsafe at Molloy extends deeply into the Rockville Centre community. The team has conducted training sessions for municipal workers, educators, students, and residents in settings ranging from schools and senior centers to community events, including wellness walks, local races, and public gatherings. These efforts ensure that life-saving knowledge reaches people where they live and work.
The initiative has also aligned with the American Heart Association, securing grant funding, training supplies, and research support for doctoral students. A CPR training kiosk donated by the organization and sponsored by Webster Bank will be available in Public Square through mid-fall, allowing users to practice Hands-Only CPR while tracking participation data. A ribbon-cutting ceremony on campus featuring representatives from both partners is scheduled for June 1.
Looking ahead, the HEARTsafe team continues to expand its impact. Molloy is now helping guide other schools and municipalities through the accreditation process in partnership with Catholic Health, providing mentorship, feedback, and oversight. At the same time, doctoral students are working to bring HEARTsafe programming into local high schools, further strengthening the pipeline of trained responders.
What began at Molloy as a doctoral project has become a model for community-based health innovation, demonstrating how education, collaboration, and sustained commitment can strengthen not only a campus, but an entire community.
