WSSU becomes first HBCU to deploy Avive Connect AED®s, strengthening emergency readiness
Winston-Salem State University has partnered with Avive Solutions, Inc. to expand and modernize its campus automated external defibrillator (AED) program, taking a bold step to safeguard the health and well-being of its students, faculty, staff and visitors.
WSSU has installed 75 Avive Connect AED®s across residence halls, sports facilities and academic buildings on campus. This program helps ensure rapid access to easy-to-use lifesaving technology in the event of a sudden cardiac arrest (SCA).
The initiative marks an important milestone as WSSU becomes the first HBCU in the country to deploy a connected AED initiative with Avive, and the first university in North Carolina to roll out a program at this scale.
By strengthening its AED program, WSSU is enhancing emergency readiness and underscoring its commitment to a culture of care, preparedness and shared responsibility across campus.
“One of the key reasons we selected Avive for our AED program is its cost-effectiveness and smart connectivity features,” said Angela Richardson, WSSU’s Environmental Health and Safety manager. “The device’s real-time automated data reporting capabilities enhance our ability to continuously monitor AED readiness across campus while reducing time-consuming manual checks, ensuring our AEDs are always ready when needed.”
“Winston-Salem State University is proud to lead the way among HBCUs in advancing campus emergency readiness,” said Chancellor Bonita J. Brown. “This investment underscores our unwavering commitment to protecting lives and ensuring that our campus is equipped with the tools and technology needed to respond swiftly in a medical emergency.”
Survival of SCA depends on how quickly help arrives. For every minute without CPR and the use of an AED, a person’s chances of survival decrease by 7-10%, underscoring the importance of immediate action. AEDs are designed to analyze the heart rhythm and deliver a shock, if necessary, to restore the heart to a normal rhythm.
“In a cardiac emergency, seconds matter,” said Jason Stogner, director of WSSU’s Office of Emergency Management. “By deploying connected AEDs across our campus, we are dramatically improving our ability to respond quickly and effectively. This technology helps ensure that lifesaving care can begin before first responders arrive.”
The Avive Connect AED is designed to be approachable and intuitive for anyone to use, regardless of training. The device is safe to be used on both children and adults, offers bilingual instructions in English and Spanish, and guides rescuers step-by-step with audio and video prompts, reducing the intimidation often associated with defibrillators.
These connected devices also streamline AED program oversight for the university, allowing WSSU’s Environmental Health and Safety team to receive alerts if the device(s) needs attention and real-time notifications in the event of an emergency. This connected ecosystem helps ensure that the lifesaving equipment is ready to be used when it’s needed most.
“We are honored to partner with Winston-Salem State University on their campuswide AED program,” said Sameer Jafri, CEO and co-founder of Avive Solutions. “What stands out about their deployment is how thoughtfully they’ve placed their AEDs across campus – it’s clear they’re thinking about real people in real situations. WSSU is setting a great example for universities across the country, and it’s inspiring to see how they’re empowering the entire campus to act quickly and confidently during a Sudden Cardiac Arrest emergency.”
With this initiative, WSSU joins a growing group of leading universities working to enhance campus safety, simplify AED management, and foster a community ready to respond in the event of a cardiac emergency.
