First Aid/CPR/AED, BLS, ACLS, PALS and Life-Saving Education
About Us
Meet Our Team
Hershey Pyle, Owner/Instructor/RN
Hershey spent decades at the front lines of emergency medicine. As a Registered Nurse with over 40 years of Critical Care experience, Hershey was no stranger to high-stakes, life-or-death moments in the ICU and emergency settings. Throughout her nursing career, Hershey witnessed firsthand the critical difference early, effective intervention makes. She saw how seconds count in cardiac arrest, and more importantly, how essential it was for responders—whether seasoned physicians, bedside nurses, or everyday bystanders—to act swiftly without hesitation. Driven by a passion to bridge the gap between clinical theory and real-world execution, Hershey became a certified instructor for the American Heart Association (AHA) over 20 years ago. Building "Save A Heart": Two Decades as a Solo Entrepreneur Seeing a need for high-quality, engaging, and stress-free emergency instruction in Central Florida, Hershey launched Save A Heart. For two decades, Hershey ran Save A Heart as a dedicated solo owner and operator. She developed a unique instructional style that quickly set her apart in the field:
Demystifying Complex Protocols: Breaking down clinical algorithms (like ACLS and PALS) into practical, easy-to-remember concepts.
Fostering Low-Stress Learning: Creating a supportive classroom environment where students felt comfortable asking questions and practicing critical physical skills.
Real-World Insights: Infusing every lesson with nuggets of wisdom drawn directly from her 40+ years at the hospital bedside.
Over 20 years, Hershey earned a loyal following across Central Florida. Healthcare professionals, first responders, teachers, daycare providers, and local business owners returned to her class year after year to renew their certifications, knowing they would receive top-tier, reliable training. A New Chapter: Expanding the Mission As demand for Save A Heart's courses grew beyond what a single instructor could accommodate, Hershey reached a pivotal milestone. Rather than compromise on the quality that defined her 20-year legacy, she chose to expand. Today, Save A Heart has grown from Hershey's solo practice into a collective of elite instructors. Handpicked to match her standard of excellence, these additional educators bring decades of combined lifesaving experience from critical care nursing, emergency medical services, and specialized clinical settings. Together, Hershey and her expanded team carry forward the founding mission of Save A Heart: equipping every student—from hospital clinicians to everyday community members—with the skill, readiness, and confidence to save a life when every second matters.
Amanda Rodriguez, Chief Operating Officer
As Chief Operating Officer of Save A Heart, Amanda leads the strategic growth, operational excellence, and financial stewardship that powers our mission to save lives. Overseeing operations, finances, and marketing, Amanda expanded Save A Heart's capabilities by uniting her elite team of instructors with founder Hershey Pyle's legacy. Her sharp business acumen and dedication to community safety ensure that our high-quality emergency training continues to reach new audiences and deliver top-tier instruction across every setting, from clinical facilities to local communities.
Lynn, Instructor Trainer
Lynn’s journey spans art, education, and community leadership—from docent work to teaching Polk County students. After pivoting to nursing, she built an 18-year career in life-saving education and was named 2015 Instructor of the Year. Now serving as Faculty Instructor, Lynn uses her deep expertise to train new instructors and ensure the entire team stays fully compliant.
Debi, Instructor
With over 40 years of nursing experience serving the Lakeland community, Debi brings a wealth of hands-on knowledge to the classroom. As a dedicated advocate for medical foster children in Polk County, her passion for making a meaningful difference drives everything she does. Debi combines deep clinical expertise with practical application, ensuring that every student leaves her class feeling inspired, empowered, and confident that their time was well spent.
Mike, Instructor
With 25 years as a volunteer firefighter/EMT and over two decades of teaching experience with the Polk County Sheriff’s Office and CCPR, Mike is a true veteran in emergency care. From the classroom to high-profile real-life emergencies—including a successful CPR save at an MLB Spring Training game—Mike’s background gives students the practical confidence needed in critical situations.
Debbie, Instructor
Debbie’s passion for teaching was sparked alongside her husband, Mike, during a high-stakes moment: assisting him with a successful CPR save at a Spring Training Major League Baseball game. Today, she loves co-teaching as a team with Mike, and for Debbie, the absolute best part of the job is hearing back from former students who have successfully used their skills in real-life emergencies.
Randy, Instructor
With 32 years in the military and 36 years teaching CPR, Randy blends real-world leadership with practical instruction. When he’s not teaching life-saving skills, he instructs Taekwondo—bringing that same focus and discipline to every class he leads.
Judy, Instructor
Bringing 25 years of drafting experience and six years of CPR teaching, Judy loves assisting her husband, Randy, to deliver hands-on, detail-oriented instruction. A creative spirit, she stays active outside of class through art, writing, and volunteering with the Davenport History Museum.
David, Instructor
David brings over two decades of dedicated public safety experience to the classroom, including more than 10 years as a certified CPR instructor. Currently a Police Officer with the Lake Wales Police Department and formerly a Pinellas County Corrections Deputy, David uses his extensive background to equip students with life-saving confidence.
Benny, Instructor
A founding member of Citizen CPR (Est. 1984-2026) and an AHA instructor since 1979, Benny brings unmatched real-world experience to his courses. His legacy includes 36 years with Polk County EMS/Fire Rescue and 30 years teaching EMS at Polk State College. Today, he continues serving the community as part of the training and compliance team for Legoland's Technical Services.