MFAS is composed of 45 student volunteers from various academic backgrounds. Our members are certified at the Standard First Aid and First Responder level. We operate at the First Responder level, which means we always respond with at least one First Responder per shift.
For information about the team as a whole, please visit the "About Us" section on our home page.
Interested in joining MFAS?
MFAS is always looking for new members. We recruit every year in September, and sometimes in January for the winter semester.
 | Why would I want to be on MFAS? Being on the team is a great way to meet new people, learn more about first aid, and get good experience with emergency medical care. Plus, it's lots of fun and looks good on a resume! What do I need to get on the team? Standard First Aid with CPR "C" certification, and a willingness to help others! Don't worry if your Standard First Aid is expired; if you make the team, we will re-certify you at the first training. What is the time commitment? Being on MFAS is not a huge time commitment. Each member works about one shift per week. Daytime shifts are 2-3 hours, and overnight shifts are 8 hours (but you get a bed). We also have monthly trainings which are about 4 hours long. How do I apply? Check back here in December or January to see if we are holding a winter recruitment, or contact us at mcgill.first.aid@gmail.com for more details. |
Meet the Exec!
Director
 Mark Abrams mfas.director@gmail.com | My name is Mark Abrams and I am the Director of MFAS and a Physiology major. I got involved in emergency pre-hospital care 4 years ago when I joined my local volunteer ambulance corps. I have been riding on ambulances in my hometown of Tarrytown, New York for two years now (since I was 17), where I am a New York State Certified EMT (Emergency Medical Technician). I am also a Canadian First Responder, so no matter which country I am in, I'm ready to go. Outside of pre-hospital care, I enjoy playing guitar, MFAS Rookie Night (if only you knew), singing with the radio, laughing, and hanging out with friends. This is my second year with McGill First Aid Service and I am eager to see the team prosper and succeed in the months and years to come, like I am sure it will. |
VP Personnel & Webmaster
 Rosie Golinski mfas.personnel@gmail.com | Hi, my name is Rosie, and I’m MFAS’s VP Personnel as well as the webmaster for this site. I’m a U1 student in the Faculty of Science, doing a major Psychology and a minor in Neuroscience. I come from a lifeguarding and water safety background, and then obtained my First Responder certification through MFAS. This is my second year on the team, and I’m excited to see how the year turns out! |
VP External
 Theresa Howard mfas.external@gmail.com | My name is Theresa and I am VP External for MFAS this year. I recently finished my Bachelor of Arts in History and Women's Studies and am currently doing post-bac work in the Faculty of Science. I come from a wilderness medicine background with a focus on providing care in delayed transport contexts (i.e. when you cannot phone 911). I joined MFAS in 2005 and served as Training Coordinator during the 2006-2007 term. |
VP Operations
 Alessia Petricone-Westwood mfas.operations@gmail.com | Hi! I'm Alessia and this year's VP Operations. This is my second year on MFAS, coming from several years of lifeguarding and camp counselling back in Toronto. I am currently in my fourth year of an IDS and History degree. Being a member of MFAS has provided me with the opportunity to upgrade my skills to the First Responder level, and above all, be a part of a dedicated, amazing group of people! |
VP Finance
 Laith Awamleh mfas.finance@gmail.com | I am a U2 student majoring in Anatomy & Cell Biology. My interest in First Aid started in high school, I attended a boarding school situated in Victoria, BC. I decided to join the school's on- campus first aid team back then, and from there my interest in first aid started to grow up to the point where I was able to ride on ambulances in Vancouver BC. As VP Finance I will do my best to gain financial support in order to fund our endeavours as team, and I look forward to a great fiscal year. |
Meet the Coordinators!
Courses Coordinator
 Sarah Keller first.aid.course@gmail.com | I am Sarah, the courses coordinator. I am a U3 Chemistry student. My position on the McGill First Aid Service (MFAS) involves working closely with Chris Malewicz and the Canadian Red Cross in order to organize the first aid courses that are put on by MFAS. This is my third year as a member of MFAS and my second year as the courses coordinator. At home in Colorado, I discovered my love of first aid when I took an EMT (Emergency Medical Technician) course and since then have become involved in MFAS. I am looking forward to making my final year at McGill and on MFAS the best it can be. |
Business Coordinator
 Chris Malewiczfirst.aid.course@gmail.com | Hi, my name is Chris Malewicz and I am the Business Coordinator for this year. I hail from the small town of Ballston Spa, at one point the 11th most populated region in the US, and enjoy cooking and collecting bar coasters. I am a U2 BA&Sc’er studying Biomedical Sciences and Latin American Studies. This year will be my third year in the exciting world of MFAS and I hope to work with Sarah to make the courses run frequently, smoothly and have lots of people in them – so you should definitely sign up for one! |
Training Advisor
 Cindy Kou mfas.training@gmail.com | I came to MFAS from a lifeguarding background in BC. I hold certifications in a variety of lifesaving and first aid and instructors courses. This will be my fourth year on the team. I am excited to be back and helping with the training committee! |
Training Coordinator
 Jessica Di Nardo mfas.training@gmail.com | Hello, I’m Jess, one of the teams training coordinators! I am originally from Montreal, but I got the amazing opportunity to grow up in Costa Rica. I am currently a U1 Nursing student and loving it! MFAS is one of my favourite pastimes here at McGill; this is now my second year as an active member. I initially started doing First Aid when I worked at a dive shop and did my PADI Rescue Diving Certification. Then I did my First Responder training here with MFAS, which has given me more confidence and trust in my skills. Now I am very excited for this new year and to see MFAS grow and succeed even more! Cheers |
Training Coordinator
 Danielle Scarola mfas.training@gmail.com | I am a second-year Psychology major in the Faculty of Science. This will be my second year on the team and first year as training coordinator. I received my NJ EMT certification in 2005 and have volunteered on my hometown's ambulance corps ever since. I am also on the McGill Varsity Lacrosse team and am studying to be a Personal Fitness Trainer. |
Training Coordinator
 Graham Splawski mfas.training@gmail.com | I've been a lifeguard in Thunder Bay for 4 years, and on MFAS for 1 year now. I've competed at over 7 lifeguard comps, and 6 provincial champs, placing as high as 7th overall and 4th in individual events. I have instructed bronze courses, and emergency first aid. I have competed with MFAS at the NCCER level, and have been an EFR for one year. At school, I'm in U3 honours history, with a minor in poli sci. I used to row with McGill Crew, and I'm a member of Liberal McGill and used to be on Rez Council. |
Social Coordinator
| Robbie Just mfas.social@gmail.com | My name is Robbie and I’m MFAS’s Social Coordinator. This is my 4th year at McGill studying Civil Engineering and my 2nd year on MFAS. I was born and raised in Montreal but currently live in Toronto. I have worked as a lifeguard and swim instructor for 4 years in Toronto. I’ve spent the last 2 summers riding on ambulances with Magen David Adom, the Israeli counterpart of the Red Cross. I am qualified as a BLS First Responder in both Canada and Israel and as a BLS First Responder Instructor for Ambulance Volunteers in Israel. Being on MFAS has given me an opportunity to greatly improve my skills through its competition style trainings and participation in ACERT Competitions. This year is looking like a great year for MFAS and I’m really excited to be a part of it! |
ACERT Liaison
 Chris Gentile mfas.acert@gmail.com | This is my third year on McGill First Aid Service. In my first year on MFAS I organized the team’s fundraiser for the National Conference of Campus Emergency Response (NCCER) and earned MFAS’s rookie of the year award. Last year, I served as MFAS’s VP External. My experience with ACERT* includes competing in three competitions and serving as an acting member of the ACERT Board of Directors, on which I am a member of two committees. *ACERT = Association of Campus Emergency Response Teams |