With Phase II SBIR funding from the NIH, QUA INC is partnering with the Human Engineering Research Lab at the University of Pittsburgh to refine the prototype design of the “PPAL®”, an innovative bedside commode that resolves transfer difficulties for older adults in need of toileting assistance. The “PPAL® enables adults aging with lower extremity weakness to safely self-toilet, thereby lowering their risk of falling and reducing caregiver burden.

The YANA Health Forum explores the social good implications of the changing healthcare delivery system via a series of evening forums. Information about YANA can be found here: http://yalenonprofitalliance.org/

Providing technical assistance to community-based organization participating in HUD-funded emergency management grant managed by Enterprise Community, a financial intermediary for affordable housing across the U.S.,

Committed to relieving the physical stress involved in caregiving, ThePPAL uses technology to update the lowly bedside commode. ThePPAL, using a battery-powered lift and unique arm-transfer board design, supports self-managed toileting care, freeing both care recipients and caregivers from the stress of unpredictable assistance needs. ThePPAL promotes FUNCTIONAL INDEPENDENCE IN TOILETING for (1) wheelchair users with trunk stability and upper arm strength, no more waiting for others; and (2) users of walkers/canes who are at risk for falling when they try to access a flush toilet, particularly at night.

YANA is a Yale University alumni service organization that endeavors to leverage the power of Yale’s nonprofit network for the greater social good. YANA held a Social Enterprise Conference on April 5 of 2014 featuring a SHOWDOWN where 5 social entrepreneurs presented their social enterprise proposals, competing for assistance from the YANA network. The two winning organizations, Equitable Communities based in Red Hook, and Students for Service Hydroponic Farming project based in Bed Sty, are receiving targeted assistance from YANA members and Yale students that will help them measure their impact and rise to the next level of funding.

With a team of Physicians, Project Managers, Coordinators and Exercise and Training experts, work with the NYC healthcare provider community to prepare and respond to disasters to maximize the safety and security of the people who live and work in NYC.

Under the leadership of Lewis Goldfrank, MD, Principal Investigator, Chair, Department of Emergency Medicine, designed and implemented a Department of Defense $2M, two year qualitative research study of academic medical center operational practices concerning the control of biological, chemical, radiological and pharmaceutical substances used in patient care and research. Primary responsibility for interviews of staff in private not-for-profit, municipal and federal settings. Primary author on manuscript outlining human factor issues to consider. Managed team effort (four physicians, a biostatistician, database developer and medical librarian), combining hospital operations and exposure data to develop an Access database risk assessment tool applicable to all academic medical center settings. This database is sited on the Lessons Learned Information Sharing website (www.llis.gov) sponsored by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

Under the leadership of Lewis Goldfrank, MD, Chair, Department of Emergency Medicine, formed collaborations across academic departments and hospital teaching sites to compete for national security grants. Three grants filed, one awarded for $1M.

Working autonomously, managed special projects for the President and the Chief Medical Officer, including financial recovery ($15MM) of 9/11 costs from insurance and government sources, providing leadership to financial and operational units across multiple hospitals and the School of Medicine. Coordinated functional units within the Office of Medical Affairs. Quality improvement projects, including clinical trials billing, working with the Office of Clinical Trials, School of Medicine Administration, IT, Patient Access, Finance, Medical Records and Nursing. Start up of a multi-organizational HRSA emergency preparedness grant involving NYULMC, Bellevue, and the Manhattan and Brooklyn VAs.

Created new organizational structure, joining NYC advocacy leadership and community coalitions in support of NYC Health and Hospitals Corporation in partnership with CIR, DC 37, NYSNA and the Commission on the Public Health System. Primary role in developing legal case, collaborating with non-profit legal organizations. Conducted case study analysis of work redesign initiatives of two private sector New York City Hospitals for Cornell University. Stabilized the collective bargaining organizational units of the California Nurses Association and Pennsylvania Nurses Association during periods of internal dissent.

Peg founded this S-Corporation in 1993, applying business practices to achieve societal gains. QUA facilitated community organizing in support of the Health and Hospitals Corporation, NYC's public hospital system. Working in partnership with community activists, the Commission on the Public's Health System, the Center for Constitutional Rights and the Puerto Rican Legal Defense Fund, QUA provided a firewall for funding streams from the Committee of Interns and Residents, the New York State Nurses Association and District Council 37. This 6 year effort culminated in a successful lawsuit that stopped the Guiliani Administration's efforts to sell vital public hospital facilities in Queens, Elmhurst and Coney Island.

Negotiated economic and non-economic terms of multiple labor contracts. Reinstated parity clause for HHC nurses. Created computerized economic analysis system used by staff for negotiations. Advised labor negotiators on key changes in the hospital reimbursement system. Trustee on Multi-employer Taft-Hartley pension plan