From Frontline Nurse to Community Educator

Terri Pogue’s Mission to Bring CPR Training Back to Downtown Coatesville

Location: Coatesville
Business: Epiphany CPR
Founder: Terri Pogue

A Career Rooted in Care

For nearly three decades, Terri Pogue served as a licensed practical nurse, dedicating her career to patient care and health advocacy. Throughout those years, she developed a deep understanding of how preparedness, quick action, and training can mean the difference between life and death.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Terri served on the frontlines—witnessing firsthand the strain on healthcare systems and the importance of emergency readiness in every community.

When the pandemic began to shift, Terri found herself reflecting on her next chapter.

“I knew whatever I did next, I wanted to make a difference and truly impact someone’s life,” she said.

Identifying the Gap

The closure of Brandywine Hospital left Coatesville without a central healthcare institution and reduced access to certain medical services—including convenient CPR and first aid training.

Terri recognized that emergency preparedness should not require traveling outside the community. Families, schools, businesses, and healthcare professionals all needed local access to high-quality training.

That realization became the foundation for Epiphany CPR.

Launching with Purpose

Epiphany CPR became the first CPR training business in Downtown Coatesville. Offering American Heart Association–certified CPR, First Aid, and Basic Life Support courses, Terri built her curriculum around practical, hands-on learning.

Classes are hosted at the CCEDC Business Resource Center—providing a welcoming, professional environment that supports both new learners and experienced healthcare providers.

Rather than focusing solely on certification paperwork, Terri emphasizes confidence and competence. Participants leave knowing how to respond—not just having completed a course.

Support That Strengthened Growth

Starting a new business requires visibility and structure. Through the Chester County Economic Development Council’s New Business Champion Grant, Terri received marketing and website development assistance.

This support amplified Epiphany CPR’s reach, strengthened its professional presence, and allowed Terri to focus on delivering impactful training sessions.

Since launch, more than 100 individuals have been certified—each one adding to the community’s emergency readiness.

Building a Culture of Preparedness

Terri often asks a simple but powerful question:

“Are we, as a community, prepared for emergencies?”

Through Epiphany CPR, she is helping ensure that the answer becomes “yes.”

From healthcare professionals to parents and small business employees, her students leave equipped with skills that could one day save a life.

Looking Ahead

As Epiphany CPR continues to grow, Terri envisions expanding partnerships with schools, local employers, and community organizations—embedding emergency preparedness into the fabric of Coatesville.

Her journey reflects a powerful transition: from bedside nursing to community education leadership.

Epiphany CPR stands as both a thriving small business and a vital public health resource—rooted in service, resilience, and a lifelong commitment to care.