CPR - AED Training Course Information

For information about specific CPR course dates, please see the NVDS Calendar of Events or download the CPR Registration Form 2024-2025.

Description: 

The primary purpose of the American Red Cross CPR/AED for Professional Rescuers (CPRO) program is to teach professional rescuers (i.e., those with a duty to act) the skills needed to respond appropriately to breathing and cardiac emergencies. This includes the use of an automated external defibrillator (AED) to care for a person experiencing cardiac arrest. The r.24 program reflects the latest emergency cardiovascular care (ECC) science.

Objectives:

  • Recognize a breathing emergency
  • Recognize cardiac arrest
  • Demonstrate how to perform a rapid assessment on an adult and infant.
  • Demonstrate how to safely and effectively care for an obstructed airway for both responsive and an unresponsive adult and infant.
  • Demonstrate how to provide effective ventilations using a resuscitation mask on an adult and infant.
  • State the six links in the Adult and Infant Cardiac Chain of Survival.
  • State considerations for safe and effective AED use.
  • Demonstrate how to perform single-rescuer CPR on an adult and infant.
  • Demonstrate how to perform two-rescuer CPR on an adult and infant.

Instructor Schedule (subject to change):

September 21, 2024 – Dr. Al Rizkalla
October 5, 2024 – Dr. David Ku
November 9, 2024 – Drs. David Ku & Gerald Awadzi
December 14, 2024 – Dr. Frank Portell
January 11, 2025 – Dr. Al Rizkalla
February 8, 2025 – Dr. Al Rizkalla
March 8, 2025 – Dr. Anh Pham
June 14, 2025 – Dr. Gerald Awadzi

Instructor Biographies:

Dr. Anh Pham
Born in Vietnam, Dr. Pham attended Howard University College of Dentistry in Washington, DC for both his dental degree and his degree in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. He is an active member of the Northern Virginia Dental Society. He focuses on training his staff on ACLS and BLS. These courses teach life-saving measures that ensure the safety of every patient. He practices a wide scope of oral and maxillofacial procedures including wisdom teeth removal, dental implants, oral pathology, and facial trauma.

Dr. Al Rizkalla
Dr. Rizkalla graduated from Georgetown University School of Dentistry and completed a general practice residency at the Veterans Administration Hospital Center in Washington, DC. In 2013, Dr. Rizkalla was appointed to the Virginia Board of Dentistry and in 2016was elected President. He has held many positions in the Virginia Dental Association and the Northern Virginia Dental Society including chairman of the following committees: Continuing Education, Peer Review, Executive Committee, and Ethics. He was also a member of the Dental Health and Public Information Committee. Dr. Rizkalla is a fellow of the American College of Dentists, International College of Dentists, Pierre Fauchard Academy, and the Virginia Dental Association. After an extensive and fulfilling clinical career in dentistry, Dr. Rizkalla is now focusing on his teaching career and will be seeing patients on a limited basis.

Dr. Gerald Awadzi
Dr. Awadzi earned his Doctorate Degree in Dental Medicine from the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine in Philadelphia, PA. He is an active member of the American Dental Association, the Academy of General Dentistry, the Virginia Dental Association, and the Northern Virginia Dental Society. He has been awarded a fellowship in the Academy of General Dentistry. Dr. Awadzi’s mission is, “To care for my patients in the most compassionate and comprehensive way. To provide high-quality dental care that will exceed my patients’ expectations and give them great comfort and satisfaction.”

Dr. Akbar Dawood
Dr. Dawood obtained his first dental degree (Bachelor of Dental Surgery) from the University of Pune in India. He earned his Doctor of Dental Medicine degree from the University of Pennsylvania and proceeded to specialize in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at Alert Einstein College of Medicine and Montefiore Medical Center in New York where he served as Chief Resident. He has been actively involved in his private practice as well as in academics. Dr. Dawood is passionate about oral surgery and likes to practice the full scope of oral and maxillofacial surgery with special interest in wisdom teeth extractions, complex dental extractions, implant surgery, and bone and soft tissue grafting. He is a Diplomate of the National Dental Board of Anesthesiology and a member of several local, regional, national, and international organizations.

Dr. Karen Harriman
Born and raised in Ontario, Canada, Dr. Harriman received her Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Guelph. She came to the United States to study dentistry and earned a Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from New York University. Dentistry has been her passion for over 25 years. She is devoted to helping her patients achieve their dream smile. Her practice philosophy is helping patients achieve optimal oral health, utilizing the highest standards of care in the most comfortable way possible. Dr. Harriman is a proud member of the American Dental Association, Virginia Dental Association, Northern Virginia Dental Society, and the Dental Organization for Conscious Sedation. She regularly volunteers her time with the Mission of Mercy and Carpenter’s Shelter and other charitable organizations. 

Dr. David Ku
A retired dentist transplanted to Northern Virginia from Texas, Dr. Ku moved in 2019 to the State with his wife due to her job advancement. Dr. Ku practiced for 31 years in Texas before closing his solo practice and moving. He was actively involved in organized dentistry in Texas serving in many capacities from local delegate to state delegate while also serving on several Boards and Committees. He served many years as an alternate delegate and as a delegate for the Texas Dental Association. He has a passion for teaching. He taught for 9 years at UT Southwest in their Oral surgery section. 

Dr. Ida Kondori
Dr. Kondori earned her undergraduate degree in Biology from George Mason University,  Doctorate of Dental Surgery from the VCU School of Dentistry, and a Master’s in Health Services Administration from Xavier University. “Dr. Ida,” as she is known by her patients, is dedicated to enriching herself with advancements in dentistry through continuing education courses and the best available evidence from high-level sources. She is passionate about giving back to her community. She has volunteered at numerous Mission of Mercy Projects. As an active member of the Northern Virginia Dental Society and the Virginia Dental Association, she remains deeply engaged in the professional community. In addition to her clinical work, Dr. Kondori has contributed to the field through her publication in Quintessence International and serves as a volunteer as a CPR/AED for Professional Rescuers instructor.

Dr. Frank Portell
A graduate of the University of Puerto Rico, School of Dentistry, Dr. Portell received his certificate of Endodontics from the prestigious United States Army Institute of Dental Research, Walter Reed Army Medical Center. Following his certificate in endodontics, Dr. Portell received a Master of Science degree in Oral Biology from the George Washington University in Maryland. Dr. Portell completed a 20-year military career in the United States Army and then went into private practice in Northern Virginia for 25 years. He currently holds the position as part-time faculty at the Virginia Commonwealth University, Endodontic Residency Program in Richmond, Virginia. Dr. Portell is a past president of the Northern Virginia Dental Society and the Virginia Academy of Endodontics.