Starting Hearts + Alpha Phi
Advancing Women's Heart Health and Lifesaving Skills Together.
In 2016, Starting Hearts joined Alpha Phi in supporting their long-standing mission of women's heart health. Through hands-on CALL.PUSH.SHOCK.™ instruction, Train-the-Trainer leadership, and campus awareness events, this collaboration illustrates how one committed organization can multiply lifesaving preparedness.
A Shared Commitment to Women's Heart Health.
Alpha Phi has championed women's cardiovascular health and cardiac research since 1946. When Starting Hearts connected with Alpha Phi in 2016, the synergy was immediate: Alpha Phi had an energized collegiate network with deep philanthropic focus, and Starting Hearts brought a proven, practical CPR and AED education framework.
Rather than treating cardiovascular wellness as an abstract topic, the partnership introduced hands-on training that equips collegiate women with the confidence and muscle memory to respond immediately when a cardiac emergency occurs.
“What we do together is so impactful. We've created a sustainable program that brings real meaning to Alpha Phi's pillar of women's heart health. We learn together, have fun together, and make an amazing difference in saving precious lives.”
Alan HimelfarbExecutive Director, Starting Hearts
Teach the Skill. Then Help It Travel.
How collegiate partnership transforms individual learners into community multipliers:
LEARN
Members are introduced to sudden cardiac arrest recognition, the urgency of prompt action, and the 3-step CALL.PUSH.SHOCK.™ framework.
PRACTICE
Hands-on compression sessions and training defibrillators turn theoretical knowledge into instinctive, muscle-memory confidence.
TEACH
Train-the-Trainer instruction empowers chapter leaders and safety chairs to teach and certify incoming peers year after year.
SHARE
Trained sisters carry emergency readiness into campus dorms, athletic venues, Greek life events, and their wider communities.
Simple Actions Are Easier to Share.
During a Sudden Cardiac Arrest, confusion and fear of doing something wrong are the greatest barriers to bystander response. The CALL.PUSH.SHOCK.™ framework removes complexity:
- CALL 911: Activate emergency services immediately so professional responders are en route.
- PUSH HARD & FAST: Deliver chest compressions at 100–120 beats per minute to circulate blood.
- SHOCK WITH AN AED: Apply an automated external defibrillator to analyze and restore heart rhythm.
A Collaboration That Grew Through Action.
Key documented milestones in the Starting Hearts and Alpha Phi relationship:
Relationship Begins
Starting Hearts joins with Alpha Phi in support of the fraternity's dedicated commitment to women's heart health, launching collegiate CPR and AED education initiatives.
National Grant Finalist
Starting Hearts is selected as a Top 5 finalist in the Alpha Phi Foundation's prestigious Heart to Heart National Grant Competition, recognizing innovative cardiovascular community education.
Iota Xi Strategic Partnership
Starting Hearts and Alpha Phi's Iota Xi Chapter at the University of Denver announce a formal partnership to deliver CPR training, place defibrillators, and advance women's heart health on campus.
Beta Gamma Collaboration
Starting Hearts expands its collegiate reach with Alpha Phi's Beta Gamma Chapter at the University of Colorado Boulder, promoting campus-wide emergency preparedness and citizen response.
Expanding Preparedness Across Colorado Universities.
Iota Xi Chapter Partnership
In March 2018, Starting Hearts and the Iota Xi Chapter announced a collaborative agreement focusing on campus CPR training, public defibrillator placement, and heart-health education for undergraduate students.
Beta Gamma Chapter Collaboration
In December 2018, the Beta Gamma Chapter teamed with Starting Hearts to bring CALL.PUSH.SHOCK.™ into the Boulder campus community, pairing philanthropy events with hands-on lifesaving certifications.
Education Can Become Part of the Culture.
The partnership extends naturally into flagship Alpha Phi philanthropic initiatives such as annual Red Dress Galas and Go-Red Week activities.
By connecting formal benefit events with tangible CPR demonstrations, chapters elevate fundraising into an immediate community service — ensuring that guests leave not only having contributed to heart health, but knowing how to save a life.
The Partnership in Pictures
Alpha Phi & Starting Hearts Partnership
Watch the official Starting Hearts overview highlighting the collegiate partnership and educational impact:
Video not loading? Watch directly on YouTube
A Community Already Connected Can Help Knowledge Travel Faster.
Every organization — whether a university sorority, corporate team, school district, or civic club — already possesses gatherings, communication networks, and motivated leadership. Starting Hearts partners with organizations to embed lifesaving capability directly into their community culture.
Interested in Starting a Conversation?
If your chapter leadership is interested in bringing CALL.PUSH.SHOCK.™ training to your campus, scheduling an instructor workshop, or collaborating on a philanthropy event, connect with Starting Hearts:
Explore More From Starting Hearts.
Read the latest newsroom releases, browse community photography, or find out how you can participate.