Guest blog by Linette Pan
One of the most meaningful events I had the opportunity to host at Chicago Booth last year was a hands-on CPR and First Aid training session for our MBA student body.
In business school, we spend countless hours learning how to manage teams, build financial models, negotiate deals, and think strategically, but rarely do we get the chance to learn skills that can save lives in our communities. Creating a space where Booth students could learn lifesaving techniques felt like an important way to bring our community together and empower people in a practical, human way.
The event was hosted by the Healthcare Club, an organization committed to strengthening Booth’s connection to the broader healthcare ecosystem. As we began planning, it became clear that this type of training would benefit from a truly collaborative effort. We received tremendous support from UChicago Student Wellness and Booth Student Wellness, both of which were eager to help bring high-quality emergency response training to campus. Their partnership ensured that the event would be not only informative, but medically accurate, accessible, and grounded in best practices.
The idea for the session began with conversations about how unprepared many of us feel when witnessing medical emergencies in public. Whether on the train, at the gym, or even with our own families, we’ve all experienced moments of wondering what we would do if someone suddenly needed help. That uncertainty sparked a conversation with Dr. Alyssa Ierardo, an Emergency Medicine Fellow at Booth, during a break in our Business, Politics, and Ethics class. We discussed the possibility of bringing CPR training to Booth students, and the logistics involved. After speaking with my friend Rimel Mwamba, an MD/MBA student at UChicago who was teaching CPR courses at the time, we realized that with the right funding and a partnership with the UChicago Simulation Center, we could create a successful, high-impact event for campus. As someone who was previously EMT certified, I knew firsthand the importance of BLS training and the difference it can make for the people around us.
Dr. Ierardo led the session, supported by Student Wellness staff and MD students from UChicago who helped guide the hands-on CPR training. From the start, she emphasized that lifesaving skills are accessible to everyone, regardless of prior experience. Students appreciated the chance to ask questions about everything from allergic reactions to shockable rhythms, topics they otherwise might never have had an opportunity to explore.
Before the session even began, several students on the waitlist reached out hoping to join if space became available, sharing that family members had been affected by emergencies where CPR could have made a difference. Their messages underscored how important this training truly is.
Throughout the workshop, we covered how to recognize emergencies, call for help, perform CPR, and administer basic first aid. Students practiced chest compressions on manikins, assessed breathing and responsiveness, and reviewed how to respond to choking, bleeding, and other urgent situations. The hands-on format kept everyone engaged, transforming uncertainty into confidence with each round of practice.
By the end of the lunch hour, Booth students walked away with more than new knowledge, they gained preparedness, confidence, and a renewed sense of community. Hosting this CPR training was exactly the kind of initiative I had hoped to bring to Booth, and it reaffirmed how impactful cross-campus collaboration can be.
