The NeedyMeds Staff
Richard J. Sagall, MD, President |
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Rich received his medical degree from the Medical College of Ohio at Toledo. After completing his family practice residency at the Eastern Maine Medical Center, Bangor, ME, he practiced family medicine and occupational medicine there for nearly 20 years. During that time he began NeedyMeds. He and his wife moved to Philadelphia where he practiced occupational medicine and ran NeedyMeds.
Rich has written articles on assistance programs and occupational medicine topics for a number of publications. He has given presentations on patient assistance programs and occupational medicine throughout the country. In addition to directing NeedyMeds, he runs the Pediatrics for Parents website (www.pedsforparents.com), a website on children's health, and publishes Pediatrics for Parents. His NeedyMeds email address is: richsagall@needymeds.org. |
Jaye van Dussen, Vice President |
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Jaye supervises the NeedyMeds staff, acts as the board liaison, oversees several databases, edits the NeedyMeds electronic newsletter and works on many various projects. She graduated from Colorado State University with a degree in Business Administration/Finance and attended the University of Hertfordshire in England to study art. Prior to joining NeedyMeds she was the research and development manager at the Scleroderma Foundation's national headquarters.
Originally from upstate New York, Jaye lived in Europe and now resides in Marblehead, MA with her husband and teenage daughter. She also has a son who is away at college. When not at NeedyMeds, Jaye works in her studio creating collages, mixed media and graphic designs. Her artwork can be seen at www.jayevandussen.com and www.goodkarmacards.net. Jaye can be reached at: jaye@needymeds.org. |
Roberta Downey, Software Sales Manager |
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Bert joined the staff of NeedyMeds in 2006 and manages the PAPTracker software program, working with clinics to implement PAPTracker and enhance PAP services offered to their clients. She grew up in Brooklyn, NY and moved to Maine in 1970 where she has lived ever since with her husband Peter.
Bert earned a BA in history from Brooklyn College (CUNY) and masters degrees in public administration and education from the University of Maine. Before joining NeedyMeds, Roberta was executive director of the Eastern Agency on Aging, Bangor, ME. Among her accomplishments are divine bread and butter pickles, delectable strawberry rhubarb jam, toothsome baby back ribs and the best key lime pie north of Tampa. Roberta can be reached at: roberta@needymeds.org. |
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Bill works on a number of databases, including state programs and coupons. Bill received his BS in accounting from Suffolk University and was a CPA for 29 years. Prior to joining NeedyMeds, Bill worked as an appeals officer for the IRS. Bill and his wife were raised in Gloucester and have resided there since 1972. They have three adult children and two grandchildren. When not at NeedyMeds, Bill enjoys his grandchildren, following local/regional sports and walking along Stacy Boulevard. Bill can be reached at: bkyrouz@needymeds.org. |
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Robin oversees five databases at NeedyMeds, and is our resident graphic designer. Her background is in typesetting, graphics and the newspaper industry. Robin grew up in Ohio and has lived in upstate New York and Vermont, where she worked for graphic design firms, newspapers, and a TV station. Recently, Robin moved to Massachusetts where she is a student at Northeastern University. She has two grown children, a son and a daughter, and is enjoying living in Gloucester with her new husband. Robin can be reached at: robin@needymeds.org. |
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Samuel works in a number of different areas at NeedyMeds. He provides IT support - managing the phone system, server and network while also troubleshooting computer problems as they arise in the office. He also takes call center calls, prints drug discount cards and manages NeedyMeds' social media outreach. Samuel graduated from Gettysburg College in 2008 with a degree in religion. When not working at NeedyMeds, Samuel spends his time working on a variety of music projects. He lives in Gloucester, MA. Sam can be reached at: samuel@needymeds.org. |
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Damaris is our bilingual staff member and assists in answering many of our calls as well as updating several of our databases. She currently takes college classes in IT, and is interested in databases as well as social work. Damaris lives in Lynn, MA and is the mother of four teenagers. She brings enthusiasm, a very helpful presence and great snacks to our office. Damaris can be reached at: damaris@needymeds.org. |
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Elizabeth works to increase awareness of NeedyMeds' resources through facilitating various advocacy and educational efforts. She also seeks ways to develop partnerships with other nonprofits. Elizabeth graduated from New York University with a bachelor's degree in sociology. While studying in New York City, she worked at several non-profit organizations including the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Metro North, Doctors Without Borders and The Actors Fund. She lives in Boston, MA and enjoys cooking and trying out new foods and restaurants in her spare time. Elizabeth can be reached at elizabeth@needymeds.org. |
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Tonya maintains the PAP database. A resident of Gloucester, she is originally from Vermont and received a BFA in Studio Art from Plymouth State University in New Hampshire. She has studied visual art, dance, and theater and is now attending Lesley University for a MA in Expressive Therapies: Mental Health Counseling. Outside of work Tonya likes to dance, draw, and experiment with many different art forms and loves to spend time outside in nature. Tonya can be reached at: tonya@needymeds.org. |
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Julie is working on a pilot program and works closely with several local cities. Her responsibilities also include obtaining grant funding to further our mission and allow us to partner with other organizations that share a similar mission. Julie has an academic background and was a university professor for 10 years, teaching psychology and women's studies at various universities in Canada, the UK and The Netherlands. And after moving back to Boston in 1995, she took a job in healthcare administration, Director of Women's Health, at North Shore Medical Center/Partners Healthcare, until 2003. She then worked as Director of Community Outreach and Interpreter Services at NSMC/Partners until 2011. She completed a fellowship in Medical Ethics at Harvard Medical School in 2011 and is committed to quality, accessible health care for all. Julie is originally from the North Shore, and now lives in Salem with her two collies. She is the proud mother of two grown sons and enjoys her family and friends, her dogs, the beach, reading, gardening and cooking. Julie can be reached at julie@needymeds.org. |
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Dianne is the receptionist for the main office line and one of our database research associates. She grew up in the Bay Area of California and has lived in Alaska, Florida, Michigan, Vermont and Massachusetts. She decided to move to the Northeast after living through the 1980's drought, escaping the Oakland, CA firestorm of 1991, without a scratch, and then surviving the California Loma Prieta 7.0 Earthquake of 1989. She now resides in Gloucester, MA with her husband and daughter. Dianne can be reached at: dianne@needymeds.org. |
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Alanna was born in Gloucester, MA and currently resides in West Gloucester. She has a strong customer service background which helps her day to day in our call center. Alanna enjoys helping people with their problems and assisting them with their questions. In her free time she likes to read comic books, plays video games, enjoys baking, playing with her dog Walter, and spending time with family and friends. Alanna can be reached at: alanna@pap-apps.org. |
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Karen helps us with our phone lines and various databases and takes care of many of the daily administrative tasks. She also carries out special projects. Karen has two children and lives in Peabody, MA. She has a background in medical records and real estate. Karen can be reached at karen@needymeds.org. |
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Peggy moved to Gloucester after being a long time resident of Rhode Island. She has a BS in Administration of Justice from Roger Williams University. She has many years of experience in a call center environment. In her free time she likes to spend time at the ocean, knitting and visiting her family in Rhode Island. Peggy can be reached at: peggy@pap-apps.org. |
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Ruthie graduated with honors from North Shore Community College with an A.S. in Paralegal studies and from Suffolk University in Boston, MA with a BS in applied legal studies. She has a strong customer service background and enjoys helping others. Ruthie was born in Gloucester and now lives in neighboring Rockport with her Son, two cats and large frog collection. In her free time she likes to read and enjoy the ocean, but her favorite thing is spending time with her boy. Ruthie can be reached at: ruthrowe@pap-apps.org. |