Instructors of unparalleled quality and experience

Instructors of Unparalleled Quality & Experience

The instructors of CPR Plus are more than just teachers – they’re well-seasoned professionals in the medical and training fields.

Our staff possess more than 70 years combined experience in clinical pediatric care, cardiac critical care, aquatic rescue, emergency medical service, and the training of life-saving skills. All this experience means CPR Plus instructors truly understand the knowledge and skills they impart to their students.

All instructors are certified by the American Heart Association (AHA) and the National Safety Council (NSC).

CPR Plus owner and instructor Stacy Graff holds credentials as a Regional Faculty Member and Instructor Trainer for the American Heart Association (AHA). She’s also an Instructor Trainer of CPR and First Aid for the National Safety Council (NSC) and is a Bloodborne Pathogen Educator.

Click on each of the instructors to get more information.

Valerie Groby

My experience…

For 15 years, I worked as the director of Aquatics and Fitness for the YMCA. Part of my responsibility as director was to train lifeguards, so I became an instructor in lifeguarding. With this experience, I trained my staff in water rescue, CPR, back boarding, AED use, first aid, bloodborne pathogens, and oxygen administration. For the past four years, I have been training students in many of these same areas as an instructor for CPR Plus.

What I bring to CPR Plus...

I have found it is important to keep the interest of the students, to keep the class moving, and to allow students to enjoy the course as they are being trained. I understand that when students are learning in a stress-free environment and are enjoying the class, it allows them to connect with the content and to feel assured in their ability.

Courtney Lazzara

My experience...

I have been a registered nurse for over 5 years, and I am currently working at St. Louis Children's Hospital in the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit. I graduated from Mennonite College of Nursing at Illinois State University. I am now working on my Masters in Nursing Education at the University of Missouri St. Louis, and will have my degree in spring of 2011.

What I bring to CPR Plus...

I enjoy everything about teaching. It keeps me on my toes and up-to-date with current practice; teaching is also both very challenging and rewarding. I especially like it when the student comes away from the experience and has really learned—to me, this is the “final product” and the best part of teaching.