Who We Are
Learn about CMAT's story, mission, values, and the volunteer-led team behind our humanitarian deployments since 2005.
Our Story
Canadian Medical Assistance Teams (CMAT) is a registered Canadian charity and entirely volunteer-run non-governmental organization. Founded in 2005 in the wake of the Indian Ocean tsunami, CMAT deploys skilled health professionals and support personnel to provide emergency health assistance to communities affected by disasters and humanitarian crises.
CMAT operates at the intersection of rapid response and sustained care. Our volunteers include physicians, nurses, paramedics, nurse practitioners, logistics specialists, and administrative professionals — all of whom give their time and expertise voluntarily.
We work alongside local health authorities, international partners, and other NGOs to ensure our presence strengthens rather than supplants existing capacity.
Vision
A world where all people affected by disaster have timely access to high-quality health care.
Mission
CMAT's mission is to deliver impartial, equitable health assistance to people affected by humanitarian emergencies in Canada and abroad. Rooted in integrity, professionalism, and a commitment to sustainable impact, we collaborate with local health partners to maintain continuity of care, build capacity through education and mentorship, and promote lasting recovery.
Board of Directors
Anthony Fong, MD
Board Chair
Anthony Fong, MD MSc CCFP(EM), is an emergency physician based in Vancouver, with a focus on disaster medicine, emergency preparedness, and humanitarian response.
He is a Clinical Assistant Professor with the University of British Columbia and holds a Master’s in Disaster Medicine from CRIMEDIM at the Università del Piemonte Orientale.
Anthony has contributed to CMAT’s disaster response, education, research, and after-action learning, including work related to EMT preparedness, deployment systems, demobilization, media response, and lessons from international humanitarian operations.
Chris Thind
Development & Strategic Partnerships
Brandon Duncan, RN
Board Secretary
Scott Haig, PCP
Treasurer
Valerie Rzepka, NP
Director Emeritus
Our Values
Impartiality
We deliver care without discrimination on the basis of nationality, ethnicity, religion, gender, or political affiliation.
Integrity
We hold ourselves to the highest standards of ethical conduct, financial accountability, and transparency in all operations.
Professionalism
We maintain clinical and operational excellence, continuously building the skills and systems that our volunteers depend on.
Compassion
We approach every patient and every community with genuine care for their dignity, wellbeing, and self-determination.
Sustainability
We design our work to build lasting capacity in the communities we serve, leaving partners stronger than we found them.
Inclusion
We welcome volunteers of diverse backgrounds and ensure our programs serve all communities equitably.
Message from the Board Chair
Since our first deployment to Banda Aceh in the wake of the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, CMAT has grown from a grassroots humanitarian response into a recognized force in emergency medicine. We have stood at border crossings in Poland, in field hospitals in Haiti and Jamaica, and on airlift tarmacs delivering critical supplies — always driven by one conviction: that access to quality health care is a right, not a privilege.
We are building an organization capable of sustained impact — one with stronger governance, more resilient funding, deeper partnerships, and a commitment to leaving meaningful capacity in the communities we serve.
I am deeply proud of what CMAT has built. I am even more excited about what we will accomplish next.
Anthony Fong
Board Chair, Canadian Medical Assistance Teams