Dyersburg State Community College (DSCC) Workforce Development is partnering with the University of Tennessee Health Science Center (UTHSC) West Tennessee Regional Perinatal Program to host the Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP), providing healthcare professionals and emergency responders with advanced education in the lifesaving care of newborns.
The Neonatal Resuscitation Program, developed by the American Academy of Pediatrics, equips healthcare providers with the knowledge and hands-on skills needed to assess and stabilize newborns requiring resuscitation immediately after birth. Participants will complete required online learning modules prior to attending an instructor-led skills evaluation and simulation-based training session.
The course will be facilitated by Sequitha Leflore-Thomas, MSN, FNP-C, obstetrical outreach educator, and Cheyenne Cooper, RN, neonatal outreach educator, with the UTHSC West Tennessee Regional Perinatal Program. Together, they provide education and outreach throughout the region to improve maternal and neonatal outcomes through evidence-based training and interdisciplinary collaboration.
“Preparing healthcare professionals to respond confidently during the first critical moments of a newborn’s life is essential,” said Leflore-Thomas. “Through realistic simulation and team-based learning, participants strengthen the skills that can make a lifesaving difference for infants and their families.”
The training reflects DSCC’s commitment to supporting workforce development and expanding access to high-quality continuing education opportunities for healthcare professionals throughout West Tennessee. The program is fully grant-funded, resulting in no cost to DSCC or its students. Participants must hold a healthcare credential such as EMT-Basic, Advanced EMT (AEMT), or Paramedic.
Participants can register at https://bit.ly/4gxwZYY by selecting either the September 23rd or September 30th course option and clicking Sign Up. Participants will engage in scenarios designed to reinforce effective communication, teamwork, and current neonatal resuscitation guidelines while practicing critical interventions in a supportive learning environment. Most of the coursework will be delivered through online learning modules. The in-person component will include hands-on simulation and skills validation at either the DSCC Jimmy Naifeh Center on Sept. 23 from 9 a.m. to noon or the Dyersburg campus on Sept. 30 from 9 a.m. to noon.
Upon successful completion, participants will receive Neonatal Resuscitation Program certification valid for two years, as well as 12 pediatric continuing education hours (1.2 CEUs).
“Dyersburg State is proud to collaborate with the UT Health Science Center to bring this important educational opportunity to our region,” said Darrin Devault, Director of Workforce Development at DSCC. “By investing in continuing education for our healthcare workforce, we help strengthen the care available to mothers and newborns across our communities.”
This partnership supports the shared mission of improving maternal and infant health outcomes by ensuring healthcare teams remain prepared to provide safe, timely, and evidence-based neonatal care when every second matters.
For more information about this program, please contact Darrin Devault, Director of Workforce Development, at ddevault@dscc.edu or 731-286-3265.