PITTSBURGH, March 2, 2026 — Judges from the Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court are taking action to protect the communities they serve by learning Hands-Only CPR during a special training session hosted by the American Heart Association. The session was convened by Heart Association volunteer expert Margaret Larkins-Pettigrew, MD whose leadership helped bring this opportunity forward, along with Judge Lori Dumas, who played a key role in uniting judges for this important lifesaving effort.
Cardiac arrest remains a leading cause of death worldwide. In the United States alone, more than 350,000 cardiac arrests occur outside the hospital each year, and nearly 90% are fatal without prompt intervention. Immediate CPR can double or even triple the chance of survival, yet bystanders step in only about 40% of the time, often because they feel unprepared or unsure of what to do.
On Monday, March 2, Commonwealth Court judges will participate in a Hands-Only CPR training led by emergency medical physician and Heart Association volunteer expert Dr. Sylvia Owusu-Ansah. Their goal is simple: ensure that Pennsylvania courtrooms are prepared to respond quickly and effectively should a cardiac emergency occur.
Event Details
WHAT: Hands-Only CPR training session for Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court judges
WHO: Training led by Association volunteer expert Dr. Sylvia Owusu-Ansah
WHERE: City County Courthouse, judicial conference room, 414 Grant Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15219
WHEN: Monday, March 2, 2026 | 11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Cardiac arrest can strike anywhere—at the gym, in the grocery store, during a child’s soccer game, or even in a courtroom. The judges’ participation underscores a shared belief: a prepared courtroom is a safer courtroom and anyone, regardless of medical training, can learn the simple steps that may one day save a life.
“As judges, we are entrusted with safeguarding the wellbeing of everyone who walks into our courtrooms,” said Judge Lori Dumas. “Learning Hands-Only CPR is really a civic duty. Ordinary people have the extraordinary power to make a difference in someone’s life. If a cardiac emergency were ever to occur in our courtroom, we want to be ready to act. This training is not just a professional responsibility, it’s a commitment to protecting our communities and leading by example. I’m proud that our Court is joining the Nation of Lifesavers and taking this important step together.”
The goal of the Association’s Nation of Lifesavers initiative is to turn bystanders into lifesavers so that anyone, anywhere is prepared and empowered to provide CPR during a cardiac emergency.
The American Heart Association leads global efforts in public awareness, education, and policy change, and serves as the scientific authority behind the official CPR and emergency cardiovascular care guidelines used throughout the U.S. and in more than 90 countries worldwide.
To join the Nation of Lifesavers and take 90 seconds to learn how to save a life at www.heart.org/nation
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About the American Heart Association
The American Heart Association is a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. Dedicated to ensuring equitable health in all communities, the organization has been a leading source of health information for more than one hundred years. Supported by more than 35 million volunteers globally, we fund groundbreaking research, advocate for the public’s health, and provide critical resources to save and improve lives affected by cardiovascular disease and stroke. By driving breakthroughs and implementing proven solutions in science, policy, and care, we work tirelessly to advance health and transform lives every day. Connect with us on heart.org, Facebook, X or by calling 1-800-AHA-USA1.
For Media Inquiries:
Karen Colbert- karen.colbert@heart.org,
