Janette Strasburger, MD, cardiologist at Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin in the Fox Valley and Project ADAM advisor (left), presents Kathy Verstegen (right) with the Karen Smith Award.

Every year Project ADAM presents the Karen Smith Award to a person who demonstrates a high level of passion, innovation and excellence in serving as a role model for their school’s CPR and automated external defibrillator (AED) program. The award is named after Karen Smith, a nursing services coordinator for the Pewaukee School District who was a pioneer and leader in school health and safety. This year, Project ADAM is honoring Kathy Verstegen, a school nurse with the Kimberly Area School District, as the 2012 recipient of the Karen Smith Award.

Kathy was selected for this honor because of her instrumental role in establishing an AED program in her district. Since 2001, when the AED program was launched in the Kimberly Area School District, 13 AEDs have been purchased. Kathy is responsible for AED …Continue reading →