Stony Brook Medicine held a hands-only CPR training day at Stony Brook University’s Kenneth P. LaValle Stadium on September 7. Nearly 1,000 individuals, from children to seniors, attended to learn CPR.

Nearly 1,000 volunteers of all ages learned hands-only CPR at LaValle Stadium.

Assembled in long rows around the entire football field were 258 mannequins. The participants used these devices to learn hands-only CPR.

This technique involves pushing hard and fast in rhythmic motion in the center of a victim’s chest. A large video screen on the field provided instruction for those learning the technique.

“The chance of someone’s survival is tripled when hands-only CPR is administered quickly and effectively,” said Edward Stapleton, Associate Professor and Director of Pre-hospital Education, Department of Emergency Medicine in the School of Medicine, and Director of the hands-only CPR event. “Our event has given so many in our community the opportunity to learn this life-saving skill.”

Organized by Stony Brook Medicine, the hands-only CPR training day received support from the Suffolk County Fire, Rescue, and Emergency Services; the Stony Brook Volunteer Ambulance Corp. The Louis J. Acompora Memorial Foundation, and Cardiac Science which provided the mannequins.

Stony Brook University students bring the gift of live music to those who are usually unable to attend concerts through a student club called Music and Medicine.

The group shares their love for music performance as a form of therapy with hospitals, rehabilitation centers, childcare centers and nursing homes.

Some of the Music and Medicine club members who share live music to help others feel better.

During a recent performance at the Long Island State Veterans Home, the Music and Medicine’s renditions of “Fly Me to the Moon,” and “White Christmas” turned into a rousing sing-along with the audience of residents and staff.

There are currently seven members of Music and Medicine, and the group hopes to expand next semester. Several of them are pre-med, but not all.

“We welcome any majors of any field, regardless of whether they decide to pursue a career in healthcare, as long as they have the passion to help others,” said Yi Gao, sophomore psychology major, and Founder and President of the club.

On May 4 a group of  Stony Brook University student volunteers helped clean up Sunken Meadow Park as part of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo’s second annual I Love My Park Day. 

New Yorkers are invited to volunteer at their favorite state park or historic site.Volunteers cleaned up storm damage and other debris, planted trees and gardens, and worked on various site-improvement projects.

Stony Brook students volunteered to clean up local historic sites and parks.

Sponsored jointly by the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, and Parks and Trails New York, “I Love My Park Day” is a statewide event to improve and enhance New York’s parks and historic sites as well as bring visibility to the entire park system and its needs.

More than 70 parks and historic sites participated, nearly double the number from last year.