Capstone Courses and Projects
Greater New York City Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure®
Creating a UserFriendly, Central Repository of Resources for New and Current Grants Applicants
The Greater New York City Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure is working to eradicate breast cancer as a lifethreatening disease by advancing research, education, screening, and treatment. The goal of this Capstone project was to determine the resources needed for targeted organizations to prepare a strong grants application, giving special attention to smaller, innovative organizations that work with hardtoreach populations. The team presented a set of recommendations on improving Komen GNYC applicant resources, a set of new tools for applicants, and recommendations on improving the layout and content on the Komen GNYC website. To inform these recommendations and tools, the Capstone team performed a needs assessment of current, past, and prospective applicants and other Komen affiliates, as well as a thorough review of applicant resources provided by Komen GNYC.
Beth Israel Medical Center
Determining the Financial Impact of Inpatient Integrative Medicine
The Department of Integrative Medicine at Beth Israel Medical Center provides free inpatient services including acupuncture, yoga, reiki, and mindbody techniques. The Capstone team worked with the department to create a financial database and methodology for use in determining the financial impact of its services. The team conducted a literature review and key stakeholder interviews to identify variables that would likely demonstrate potential cost savings and/or revenue enhancements of these services. The team then developed a methodology indicating how the department could regularly track these metrics. Collection of this data will prepare the department to conduct detailed research to determine the financial value of its services. The healthcare industry is becoming increasingly focused on patientcentered approaches; therefore, capturing the cost outcomes associated with integrative medicine interventions in an inpatient hospital setting is vital to reducing costs while improving quality.
Harlem United
Enhancing Outreach for the Community
Harlem United works to improve the lives of people living with or threatened by HIV/AIDS through comprehensive prevention, housing, and healthcare services. The organization is currently expanding its operations in order to have a greater impact on the community and its clients. The Capstone team assessed the current outreach models for two current grants: Health Care for the Homeless and Treatment for the Homeless. The team conducted interviews with staff, reviewed workers' logs and client tracking information, and researched outreach worker training programs to identify problems with existing outreach methods that affect program efficiency and effectiveness. The Capstone team provided an enhanced outreach model and strategy that included recommendations for improved marketing, outreach training curriculum, and strategic organizational alliances for client referrals, as well as clearly defined roles and responsibilities for the outreach team.
Bon Secours New York Health Systems
Feasibility Analysis of Converting Nursing Home Beds into an Assisted Living Program
Bon Secours Schervier Nursing Care Center is a highly skilled nursing home with 364 beds. Located in Riverdale, Bronx, the facility cares for geriatric residents from the surrounding New York City area. The New York State Department of Health has initiated an Assisted Living Program (ALP) with a goal to add 6,000 ALP beds, while decreasing an equal number or more of nursing home beds. The Capstone team was brought in to determine how Bon Secours can provide ALP services that meet the needs of the local community. The team extensively researched ALP regulations and protocols and performed a market analysis of both current and prospective residents and patients. The Capstone team provided Bon Secours with a preliminary assessment of financial feasibility based on payer mix of Medicaid and private pay.
Nonprofit Finance Fund
Impact of Healthcare Reform on New Jersey Federally Qualified Health Centers
The Nonprofit Finance Fund (NFF) is committed to creating a strong, wellcapitalized, and durable nonprofit sector that effectively connects money to mission. To date, NFF of New Jersey has primarily served the needs of nonprofit organizations in the arts and social service sectors. With the recent passage of health reform, NFF is presented with an opportunity to expand its services to the community healthcare sector. To assist NFF in identifying how it can expand to this sector, the Capstone team researched provisions in the recentlylegislated Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) that are relevant to primary care providers. The Capstone team also assessed the financial needs of members of the New Jersey Primary Care Association (NJPCA). With this information, the Capstone team recommended a role for NFF in meeting members' financial needs resulting from PPACA, either independently or in partnership with NJPCA
Health Plus
Primary Care Provider Reimbursement Project
Health Plus is a Medicaid Managed Care plan serving over 300,000 patient members throughout the New York Metropolitan area. Health Plus aims to improve provider satisfaction and better incentivize quality of care. To accomplish this goal, the Capstone team researched Primary Care Provider (PCP) reimbursement models and assessed potential changes to the current payment strategy. In addition, Health Plus requested that the team research the Patient Protection and Affordable Health Care Act and outline how the new law will impact its business in a competitive market. To this end, the team conducted extensive research on federal healthcare reform legislation and emerging trends in primary care reimbursement, surveyed and interviewed a representative sample of Health Plus' PCPs, and developed a marketing tool for Health Plus to explain its reimbursements to its provider network.
