FAF Team

Current Executive Board

Tarek Atasi (Co-President)

Tarek is from Troy, MI. As Co-President of First Aid First, he helps organize educational opportunities that promote practical first aid skills and confidence in responding to medical emergencies. He is currently most interested in pursuing ophthalmology. Outside of school, he enjoys spending his free time golfing.

Annie Liang (Co-President)

Annie Liang is from Los Angeles, CA. As Co-President of First Aid First, she enjoys creating opportunities for students to learn and practice essential first aid skills. She is still exploring different specialties but currently finds herself leaning toward anesthesiology. Outside of school, she enjoys traveling and spending time with friends and family.

Jason Fahmy (Secretary)/(Treasurer)

Jason Fahmy is from Rochester, MI. As Secretary and Treasurer of First Aid First, he helps manage the organization’s records, finances, and day-to-day administrative responsibilities. He enjoys contributing to the organization’s growth and helping coordinate its initiatives. He is currently interested in pursuing orthopedic surgery.

Ashley Schehr (Research Co-Coordinator)

Ashley Schehr is from Birmingham, MI. As Research Co-Coordinator of First Aid First, she enjoys exploring research opportunities and helping support the organization’s academic initiatives. She is especially drawn to surgical specialties because she enjoys hands-on work and being actively involved in patient care.

Matthew Spaulding (Co-Outreach Director)

Matthew Spaulding is from Traverse City, MI. As Co-Outreach Director of First Aid First, he helps plan monthly events and connects with organizations and community partners to create opportunities for outreach and collaboration. He is currently interested in pursuing otolaryngology (ENT). Outside of school, he enjoys spending time outdoors. Fun fact: he has a twin.

Sarah Schenck (Research Co-Coordinator)

Sarah Schenck is from West Michigan. As Research Co-Coordinator of First Aid First, she helps support the organization’s research efforts and initiatives. She is currently undecided on a medical specialty and is keeping an open mind as she explores the many different paths within medicine. She is excited to learn more about each field and see where her interests take her.

Zach Houslander (Co-Outreach Director)

Zach Houslander is from Livonia, MI. As Co-Outreach Director of First Aid First, he helps plan monthly events and build relationships with organizations and community partners. He is currently interested in pursuing emergency medicine. In his free time, he enjoys golfing.

Leigha Diegel(Stop the Bleed Coordinator)

Leigha Diegel is from Madison Heights, MI. As the Stop the Bleed Coordinator for First Aid First, she helps promote life-saving skills and emergency preparedness within the community. She is currently interested in pursuing primary care and is passionate about making a positive impact on the communities she serves. Outside of school, she enjoys hiking and spending time outdoors.

Jenna Andersen (Social/Technology Chair)

Jenna Andersen is from Southwest Michigan. As Social Chair and Tech Chair of First Aid First, she manages the organization’s website and social media while helping promote events and keep members connected. She is currently interested in pursuing pathology.

Dr. Kristianna Kaufmann

(Co-Founder and Faculty Adviser)

Dr. Kaufmann is an Assistant Clinical Faculty member at the Detroit Medical Center/Wayne State University School of Medicine, as well as a licensed emergency medicine physician at the Detroit Medical Center. In addition to founding and leading First Aid First, Dr Kaufmann created the Hands-On Practical Emergency Skills (HOPES) first aid training for incoming students in the WSU School of Medicine.

Dr. Kaufmann is also the Eastern Michigan Region Medical Director for the National Ski Patrol, co-director of the WSU Global Health Alliance, and the American College of Emergency Physicians Ambassador to the Lao People’s Democratic Republic.

Dr. Kaufmann received her undergraduate education at the University of Michigan, an MPH at the University of Illinois at Chicago School of Public Health, and her MD at the Wayne State School of Medicine. She completed her emergency medicine residency at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center.

Dr. Roy Elrod (Co-Founder)

Dr. Elrod has been a Clinical Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine at Detroit Medical Center/Wayne State University School of Medicine for the past 19 years. He currently works in the Emergency Department at Detroit Receiving Hospital as the Medical Director for Ambulatory Emergency Services. He also serves as the Chief Medical Officer and Chief Operating Officer for Health Centers Detroit Medical Group. In addition, he is the current Chief of Staff, as well as Physician Advisor, at Detroit Receiving Hospital. 

Dr. Elrod received his BS degree with dual majors in Biomedical Sciences and Behavioral Psychology from Western Michigan University. He later received his MD degree from Wayne State University School of Medicine. Dr. Elrod’s research interests are in health issues related to the disparities in the African-American community, teen violence that impacts the urban communities, and disparities in access to healthcare.