Written By:
Nora Wallace - Marketing & Public Relations Manager

 

Lompoc Valley Medical Center and the Lompoc Hospital District Foundation are helping strengthen safety on Lompoc’s youth soccer fields through the donation of a Philips automated external defibrillator (AED), first aid supplies for 100 teams and hands-on safety training for Lompoc AYSO (American Youth Soccer Organization) coaches. 

The initiative, funded through a CenCal Health grant obtained by the Lompoc Hospital District Foundation and coordinated by LVMC Employee Health Nurse Whitney White, MSN, NP, is part of the healthcare district’s ongoing commitment to improving health and safety beyond the walls of its hospital and clinics. 

On Aug. 29, 2026, LVMC will donate a Philips AED to Lompoc AYSO at River Bend Park and provide coaches with instruction on its use. 

“Lompoc AYSO brings hundreds of local children and families together through youth sports, and this is an opportunity for LVMC to use our healthcare expertise and resources to support their safety,” White said. “We want coaches to feel better prepared to respond when an injury or medical emergency occurs and to have essential supplies readily available when they need them.” 

Providing the training will be LVMC’s Dr. James Trettin, Dr. Justin Chang, RN Alexa Berryman and RN Mireya Osegueda, along with White. 

The donation also helps the local youth sports organization address new requirements established under California’s AB 310, the Nevaeh Youth Sports Safety Act, which was signed into law in October 2025. The law requires youth sports organizations for athletes aged 17 and younger to establish sudden cardiac emergency safety protocols, including mandatory coach CPR/AED certification by Jan. 1, 2027 and to have field-accessible AEDs by Jan. 1, 2028. 

The Lompoc AYSO, Region 77, is generally recognized as the largest youth sports non-profit organization in the Lompoc Valley, with an estimated 1,000 youth participants ages 4 to 19, with more than 100 teams each season. 

“Having an AED readily available at our fields is an important part of creating a safe environment for everyone in our AYSO community,” said Region 77 Safety Director Candace Justice. “In a cardiac emergency, every second matters, and having immediate access to an AED can make a lifesaving difference while emergency responders are on the way. As Safety Director, my priority is making sure we are as prepared as possible for the unexpected. We hope we never have to use it, but knowing it is available gives our players, coaches, referees, volunteers, and families an added level of protection and peace of mind.” 

In addition, the Lompoc Hospital District Foundation, in partnership with CenCal, is donating 100 first aid kits — one for every Lompoc AYSO team. Each kit will contain basic supplies coaches can keep on hand throughout the soccer season, including adhesive bandages, instant ice packs, elastic bandages and cleansing wipes. 

The LVMC medical team will also provide coaches with practical first aid education covering common situations that may occur during practices and games. Training will include: 

• Basic wound care 

• Concussion recognition and management 

• Basic splinting and care for sprains 

• AED awareness and use 

• Guidance on when an injury or medical situation requires additional medical attention 

The training and donations will take place during Lompoc AYSO’s Photo Day and field cleanup, allowing coaches to receive the education and supplies while teams and families are already gathered for the day. 

For LVMC, the partnership reflects the role of a public healthcare district in supporting community wellness not only through medical care, but also through prevention, education and outreach. 

“Giving back to our community means looking for opportunities where our healthcare professionals can make a meaningful difference,” said LVMC CEO Yvette Cope, MSN, RN. “By putting lifesaving equipment, first aid supplies and practical training into the hands of the adults who are caring for our young athletes, we are helping create a safer environment for children throughout our community. We are grateful to CenCal Health for making this investment in youth safety possible.” 

The effort brings together LVMC’s clinical expertise, grant resources and Lompoc AYSO’s network of volunteer coaches to help ensure that those on the sidelines have both the equipment and foundational knowledge to respond when an athlete is injured or experiences a medical emergency. 

 

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