Terasa Smith

I attribute my success to a combination of passion, relationship-building, and preparation. I am deeply committed to improving cardiac emergency preparedness in schools because I know that having a well-developed Cardiac Emergency Response Plan can save lives. I focus on building strong partnerships with school administrators, nurses, coaches, and community stakeholders, helping them understand both the importance of preparedness and the practical steps needed for implementation. I also believe success comes from education and persistence, providing ongoing support, resources, and training so schools feel confident and equipped to respond to a sudden cardiac emergency. Ultimately, seeing schools become better prepared and knowing that these efforts can protect students, staff, and visitors is what drives me and contributes to successful outcomes.

The best career advice I’ve ever received is to focus on making an impact, not just completing a task. Throughout my career, especially in healthcare and now as the Project ADAM Minnesota Coordinator, I’ve learned that meaningful change happens through relationships, education, and persistence. Every conversation with a school administrator, nurse, coach, or parent is an opportunity to improve preparedness and potentially save a life. Keeping the mission at the center of my work helps me stay motivated, overcome challenges, and measure success by the difference I make in the communities I serve.

My advice to a young woman entering this field would be to believe in the value of your voice and never underestimate the impact you can have. Healthcare and public health initiatives are built on relationships, collaboration, and advocacy, and those are strengths that can take you far.

Be curious, ask questions, and don't be afraid to take on new challenges, even when they feel outside your comfort zone. Seek out mentors who will support and challenge you, and remember that learning never stops. Most importantly, stay connected to your purpose. In my work with Project ADAM Minnesota, knowing that our efforts help schools become prepared to save lives keeps me motivated every day.

Success isn't about having all the answers. It's about showing up, building trust, being willing to learn, and staying committed to making a difference. The relationships you build and the lives you impact will be far more meaningful than any title or achievement.

A response tailored to your role could be:

One of the biggest challenges in my field is helping organizations move from awareness to action. Most schools understand that sudden cardiac arrest can happen to anyone, anywhere, but finding the time, resources, and buy-in to develop and regularly practice a Cardiac Emergency Response Plan can be difficult. Competing priorities, staff turnover, and limited funding can also create barriers to implementation.

At the same time, this challenge presents a tremendous opportunity. There is growing awareness of the importance of cardiac emergency preparedness, and more schools are recognizing the value of having AEDs, trained responders, and clear emergency protocols in place. Through Project ADAM Minnesota, we have the opportunity to educate, build partnerships, and empower schools to create safer environments for students, staff, and visitors.

The greatest opportunity is that our work can have an immediate and lasting impact. Every school that implements a comprehensive Cardiac Emergency Response Plan is better prepared to respond effectively during a cardiac emergency, and that preparedness has the potential to save lives. That's what makes this work so meaningful and rewarding.

A response that reflects both your professional and personal values could be:

The values that are most important to me in both my work and personal life are service, integrity, compassion, and connection. I believe in showing up for others, whether that's supporting a school as they implement a Cardiac Emergency Response Plan, helping a colleague, or being present for family and friends.

Integrity is especially important to me. I strive to be someone people can trust, follow through on commitments, and do what's right even when it's challenging. Compassion also guides my work. Understanding the unique needs and challenges of each school allows me to build meaningful relationships and provide support that truly makes a difference.

Finally, I value collaboration and connection. The most rewarding accomplishments in my career have come from working with others toward a common goal. Through Project ADAM Minnesota, that shared goal is creating safer schools and being prepared to save lives. Knowing that our efforts can positively impact students, staff, and communities is what gives my work purpose and meaning.