Enhanced Bystander AED Accessibility

A recent article published in The Journal of Collegiate Emergency Medical Services spotlights an innovative project spearheaded by two former leaders of Penn’s student-run Medical Emergency Response Team (MERT). Julia Smolyak and Micaela Alpert developed a comprehensive system aimed at improving bystander access to Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) across the University of Pennsylvania campus. Collaborating closely with University administrators, the students worked on every aspect of the initiative, from project development and communications planning to overseeing the installation of new AED signage. The initiative was realized in partnership with the Division of Public Safety, Facilities & Real Estate Services, and the Office of Risk Management.

The project resulted in the implementation of clear, easy-to-understand signage and instructional videos, all designed to educate the Penn community on effective CPR techniques and proper AED usage.

About the student authors:

      Julia N. Smolyak, BA, EMT-B, graduated from the University of Pennsylvania in 2025 with a degree in Biology and served as the 2024 Internal Technology Officer of the Penn Medical Emergency Response Team. 

      Micaela Alpert, MS, NRAEMT, is a first-year medical student at the Perelman School of Medicine, pursuing combined MD and MBE degrees. She received her BA in Biochemistry, Biophysics, and Biology and her MS in Chemistry from the University of Pennsylvania in 2025 and served as the 2024 Chief of the Penn Medical Emergency Response Team.

The article may be found in The Journal of Collegiate Emergency Medical Services.