Smart Home Expo
Presentations
Smart Home Expo: Innovative Technologies For The Consumer — Impruvon Health
Impruvon Health is changing how medication is administered, improving medication management for consumers with I/DD or autism. An app connected to a smart box enables real-time notifications and alerts to enable consumers to safely administer their own medication. In addition, the app provides different care team members to aid in administrating. During this session, learn how Impruvon Health is using software to administer medication at home and reduce errors by as much as 40%.
Justin Amoyal
Justin Amoyal is an engineer by trade and an entrepreneur at heart. He is the Founded and currently serves as CEO of Impruvon Health, a medication workflow automation platform designed to streamline tasks and minimize error in enterprise care settings such as Group Homes and Assisted Living Facilities.
Justin studied systems engineering and operations research at George Mason University, graduating in 2015. This is where he discovered his love for innovation and process optimization. During his junior year internship at Lockheed Martin he invented a system to detect errors in the F35 Fighter Jet production process and streamline the inspection process. Following his time at Lockheed Martin Justin led process optimization and error reduction programs for a multitude of organizations including the US Navy, Department of Homeland Security, and US Marine Corps.
In 2019, Justin’s life took a tragic turn when he lost his brother to an overdose. In the wake of this tragedy, Justin started Impruvon Health, driven by a deep desire to help others avoid similar experiences. Justin’s entrepreneurial spirit, combined with his passion for innovation and his desire to make a positive impact in the world has made Impruvon Health a success. He continues to lead the Impruvon team with passion and professionalism, continuing to develop and deploy cutting edge technology for those that need it most.
Justin is speaking during Smart Home Expo: Innovative Technologies For The Consumer — Impruvon Health.
Smart Home Expo: Innovative Technologies For The Consumer — Awake Labs
Awake Labs sets out to improve self-regulation through a smartwatch and other technology. To do this, they measure stress in consumers with cognitive disabilities to find success in the workplace. Smartwatches are effective in supporting independence without being stigmatizing. Awake Labs will discuss current technology options, implementation strategies, and examples of real life success.
Andrea Palmer
Andrea Palmer is the Founder and CEO of Awake Labs, a digital health company empowering people with cognitive disabilities to live healthier and more independently. She has been working at the intersection of enabling technology, mental health, and person-centered care for over 7 years.
Awake Labs uses wearables to measure stress and strong emotions in real-time. They have partnered with over 35 I/DD care providers across the US and Canada to improve quality of care and quality of life for the people they support. Awake Labs completed the UnitedHealthcare Accelerator powered by Techstars and is an Ontario Brain Institute portfolio company.
Andrea is on the Board of Life Sciences Ontario and serves on its Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility Committee.
An engineer by training, Andrea used to build autonomous soccer-playing robots and compete them around the world. In her spare time, you can find Andrea outdoors, practicing jiu-jitsu and kickboxing, or saying hi to every dog she meets.
Andrea is a speaker during Smart Home Expo: Innovative Technologies For The Consumer — Awake Labs.
Solutions For Independence: Smart Homes Made Simple
Smart home technology is critical for serving consumers with complex needs in the community. As consumers’ needs shift and innovative home technology becomes more affordable, individuals take more prominent roles in their care and live independently. In this session, industry experts will discuss opportunities for smart home service delivery expansion, engaging more consumers in care, and using technology to deliver and monitor whole-person services. Panelists will offer insights on:
- Exploring smart home technology options and new care innovations
- Developing a framework for choosing smart home technology
- Affordable smart home resources to support consumers in achieving their goals
Wendy Davis
Wendy Davis served on the Board of Directors for Pennsylvania Assistive Technology Foundation for three years before joining the staff as Director of Marketing and Outreach. Upon graduating from Dickinson College (Carlisle, PA), with a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and Spanish, Wendy joined Shared Medical Systems, a healthcare information systems developer acquired by Oracle, as a software developer. From there she took her technical expertise and applied that knowledge as a Project Leader in Point-of-Sale Development for Pizza Hut and then as the Internet Product Manager for RCN Telecommunications where she wrote the business plan to build an ISP and develop RCN’s suite of Internet products. She was recruited back to YUM! Brands/Pizza Hut as a technical manager and then as an Ecommerce Project Manager where she managed the development of a VPN connecting over 2400 Pizza Hut restaurants with three national call centers, and the development of Internet ordering.
But her most important role is Mom to four children, two of whom, were born with moderate to profound bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and wife to Evan who suffered single-sided deafness about a decade ago taking the family to three of six with hearing loss. Her daughter, Dr. Caroline Davis, is now a board-certified Occupational Therapist with a professional working fluency in ASL. Her son, Clark, is a sophomore in Biomedical Engineering at Rochester Institute of Technology who wants to develop technology to help people with disabilities. Wendy is also the Entertainment Chair for the Hearing Loss Association of America’s Pennsylvania Walk4Hearing which annually welcomes over 1000 attendees.
Tracy Beck
Tracy Beck serves as Lending and Operations Director for the Pennsylvania Assistive Technology Foundation. Ms. Beck has over 30 years of experience in the human service and education field. She is responsible for implementing policies and procedures that expand opportunities for accessing assistive technology devices as well as managing the day-to-day operations of PATF’s financial loan program. Ms. Beck is a co-author of PATF’s financial education book Cents and Sensibility: A Guide to Money Management.
Prior to joining PATF, Ms. Beck was the Executive Director of Residential Living Options, an organization that assists people with disabilities in creating housing options. She has served on numerous committees and boards that promote independent living for people with disabilities.
Dan Ding, Ph.D.
Dan Ding, PhD, is an Associate Professor and Vice Chair for Research within the Department of Rehabilitation Science and Technology at the University of Pittsburgh. In addition, she holds the position of Research Biomedical Engineer at the VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System. She currently directs a National Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center (RERC) on Wireless Technology. The RERC’s mission is to promote accessibility and inclusivity of mainstream wireless technologies as assistive technology for individuals with disabilities and older adults. Dr. Ding’s research focuses on using smart technology (i.e., wearables, internet-of-things, and assistive robotics) to support health and wellness, independence, and participation of people with disabilities. She has an extensive track record of serving as principal investigator on numerous federal and non-profit grants and has published over 220 peer-reviewed journal and conference papers.
Dr. Ding is speaking during Solutions For Independence: Smart Homes Made Simple.
Sharon Hicks, MSW, MBA
Sharon Hicks, OPEN MINDS Senior Associate, has more than 20 years of experience in the health and human service field. She has extensive experience and wide range of expertise in health plan management, in clinical operations management, and technology.
Prior to joining OPEN MINDS, Ms. Hicks spent two decades in a number of executive positions within the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) system and within its health plan division. Ms. Hicks served as the Chief Operating Officer for Community Care Behavioral Health, a managed behavioral health organization. She was responsible for all aspects of the organization’s operations including fiscal, information systems, the claims processing department, and the design of clinical systems. In addition Ms. Hicks managed the day-to-day operations of including human resources, facilities, purchasing, and security.
Ms. Hicks also served as the Vice President, Internet Strategy, UPMC Insurance Services Division and, since 2002, as the Chief Executive Officer of Askesis Development Group, Inc. since May of 2002. In this role, Ms. Hicks was responsible for the growth of the company, profitability of the company, and the direction of software development.
Ms. Hick started her impressive health care career as a psychiatric social worker before being promoted to Assistant Director of Social Work. Prior to her executive promotions, Ms. Hicks served as a Clinical Administrator for both Ambulatory Services and Emergency and Intake Services at the UPMC Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic. In this role, Ms. Hicks managed the behavioral health division, the budgets for all departments, and implemented new software replacing paper billing for clinical services.
Ms. Hicks received both her Masters of Business Administration and Masters of Social Work degrees from the University of Pittsburg. Before pursuing her graduate education, Ms. Hicks received her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology.
Smart Home Expo: Innovative Technologies For The Consumer — Altruix
Altruix manufactured Medherent, a smart medication vending machine. The machine achieves independence while improving staff efficiency and medication safety. Enabled by Blue-tooth, the device alerts consumers when to take medication, provides the medication instantly, and allows for video conferencing for emergency response, remote monitoring, and telehealth services. Learn how Altruix is developing improved ways to administer medication.
Yeardley Green
Yeardley Green has been part of the Altruix team since 2010. His leadership helped Terrapin Pharmacy, now Altruix, offer innovative pharmacy service models designed to optimize both patient outcomes and provider workflows. In 2012, Yeardley worked with his team to patent Altruix’s groundbreaking medication adherence technology, Medherent. In his current role as EVP of Sales and Business Development, Yeardley leads a team that is responsible for growth in both the Long-Term Care and Specialty Pharmacy business segments.
Prior to Altruix, he was responsible for selling large scale IT infrastructure, IT services, and software for Systems Alliance Corp. Before Systems Alliance, he worked at Under Armour where he managed the marketing efforts at key accounts like Dick’s Sporting Goods and the Sports Authority. Yeardley has been with Altruix for 13 years because he is deeply connected to the mission of providing life changing care to underserved people with complex conditions. He is a proud father of two and spends his free time on his small farm north of Baltimore. Yeardley is a graduate of the Sewanee, The University of the South where he earned a B.A. in Economic Development, during which time he spent a full year in Beijing learning Mandarin and studying emerging markets.
Yeardley is speaking during Smart Home Expo: Innovative Technologies For The Consumer — Altruix.
Smart Home Expo: Innovative Technologies For The Consumer — GrandCare Systems
GrandCare Systems aims to reduce the staffing costs for disability and the aging population. Their touchscreen platform assists with cognitive needs, such as checklists, medication reminders, instructional videos, and more. The technology collects data through motion and telehealth sensors and alerts a remote support team. Learn more about how GrandCare Systems are reducing onsite caregiver hours, enabling independence, and cutting costs on staffing.
Hans Cabrera
Hans is a biomedical engineer by training, having been educated at UC Berkeley and Carnegie Mellon, and having worked in both clinical and manufacturing settings. His roles at GrandCare include compliance, testing, and support.
Hans is speaking during Smart Home Expo: Innovative Technologies For The Consumer — GrandCare Systems.
Scott Feldstein
Scott Feldstein is the director of US Sales and Training at GrandCare. In addition to 20 years of experience in technology, Scott has studied psychology, religion, education and computing. He holds a master’s in education from Marquette University.
Scott is speaking during Smart Home Expo: Innovative Technologies For The Consumer — GrandCare Systems.
Smart Home Expo: Innovative Technologies For The Consumer — SimplyHome
SimplyHome manufactured a sensor-based technology solution for remote support services, Firefly. Assessed on a person-to-person basis, the sensors include information on daily living, movement patterns, and potential safety risks and alert caregivers when needed. The technology enables providers to manage their technology, oversee the status of the consumers being supported by technology, and make changes or updates. SimplyHome will discuss how Firefly is enabling individuals to maintain independence and safety.
Jason Ray
Since beginning with SimplyHome in 2008, Jason has been a national speaker on enabling technology and technology first transformation to associations, state and national agencies, and provider groups. Jason was named in 2012 as a recipient of the Stephen E. Sallee Excellence in Technology Award and accepted the 2012 Edison Award for Best New Product for SimplyHome. Jason’s work with SimplyHome has been featured on multiple episodes of ABC’s Extreme Makeover Home Edition along with many other national publications. From 2017-2019, Jason served as the Subject Matter Expert on Enabling Technology and Remote Support for Tennessee Department on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (TN DIDD) Technology First Initiative. Since July 2021, Jason has served in the same capacity for New Mexico’s Developmental Disability Supports Division’s Technology First Initiative. In 2022, Jason helped to launch the Technology First Alliance, a non-profit organization focused on advancing technology first principles in long-term care.
Jason is speaking during Beyond The Patient Portal – Consumer Technologies To Enhance Care Delivery.