Mother McAuley Liberal Arts High School again hosted a life-saving heart screening program aimed at detecting hidden cardiac conditions in teenagers, a population that is often unaware it may be at risk.
The school partnered with Young Hearts for Life, a nonprofit organization that provides free electrocardiogram screenings to help identify abnormal heart rhythms that can lead to sudden cardiac death. The event was coordinated by Ann Gruber, a registered nurse and Mother McAuley’s school nurse, who helped bring the program back to campus for a second time.
The screening took place at Mother McAuley Liberal Arts High School, 3737 W. 99th St.
Young Hearts for Life relied on trained volunteers and on-site cardiologists to conduct the screenings, which took only a few minutes and were painless. Small adhesive electrodes were placed on students’ chests, wrists and legs to record the heart’s electrical activity. Results were printed immediately and reviewed by a cardiologist, then sent confidentially to families within two to three weeks.
Students registered in advance through the organization’s website and provided parental consent. Those who participated were called from their lunch or study periods at assigned times throughout the day.
Gruber said the importance of the program had become especially clear to her following Buffalo Bills player Damar Hamlin’s on-field cardiac arrest in early 2023, an event that heightened national awareness of sudden cardiac arrest among young athletes.
“Knowing how frequently these incidents occur across the country reinforces just how valuable this program is,” Gruber said. “If this can help keep even one of our students safe, then it is absolutely worth it.”
Two years earlier, the school screened 425 students. This year, nearly 300 students registered ahead of time, with additional students signing up in the days leading up to the event.
According to Gruber, the screenings filled a critical gap in adolescent health care. Routine sports physicals typically do not include electrocardiograms, and many potentially dangerous heart conditions show no outward symptoms.
“This is a preventative, painless screening that can save lives,” she said. “The goal is for students to receive two screenings during their high school years.”
In addition to early detection, Gruber said education was a major benefit of the program, raising awareness of heart health among students, families and the broader community. The screenings were offered at no cost.
Young Hearts for Life, the largest heart screening program in the country, provided the screenings with support from nurses and community volunteers. Funding was supplied by Young Hearts for Life and the Mend a Heart Foundation, ensuring the service remained free for all students.
Gruber said the program’s impact was underscored during a previous screening, when then-junior Hallie Duleba was diagnosed with an irregular heart rhythm. Duleba later underwent a heart procedure and has since recovered. Now a senior, she has become an advocate for the screenings, encouraging fellow students to participate.
“It only takes one finding to make it all worth it,” Gruber said.
She credited the success of the event to broad support from the school community, including administrators, faculty and staff. The Mothers and Fathers Club volunteered to assist with setup and screenings, while Country House donated meals for volunteers.
After five years as a school nurse, Gruber said she has seen the growing pressures students face and believes preventative care plays a critical role in long-term health.
“My responsibility is not only to care for students when they are ill, but also to educate them on how to take care of themselves when they are well,” she said. “Early intervention leads to better outcomes and supports lifelong health.”