Littauer is one of five hospitals in New York to receive funding Posted on January 6, 2012 by Dakota PikeDoctors across New York will award Nathan Littauer Hospital $100,000Gloversville, NY… State Health Commissioner Nirav R. Shah, M.D., M.P.H., recently announced that Nathan Littauer Hospital is one of five health care providers in New York State to be awarded a grant of $100,000 over two years to support physicians who practice medicine in underserved communities through the “Doctors Across New York” Program. “We appreciate the Doctors Across New York Program as we continue our quest to bring qualified specialists to the residents in our area.” stated Laurence E. Kelly Littauer’s President and CEO adding, “The program is essential for areas like Fulton County.”The hospital added urologist Dr. Paul Husson to their rolls in August of last year. As one of the only Urologists in the region he is already very busy. The Doctors Across New York Program is a critical program to help ensure that New Yorkers in every community in the State have access to high-quality health care services,” Commissioner Shah said in a release. “These grants will help these institutions increase access to vital health care services in rural and urban areas.”The Doctors Across New York Program awards funding to support recruitment and retention of physicians in underserved areas. Physicians participating in Doctors Across New York make a multi-year service commitment to practice in an underserved area in the State.Doctors Across New York is a state-funded initiative enacted in 2008 to help train and place physicians in underserved communities in a variety of settings and specialties to care for New York’s diverse population. According to the NYSDOH, it is estimated that 25 percent of New Yorkers live in medically-underserved areas, and many communities lack physicians who can provide specialty medicine in areas such as Urology.Nathan Littauer Hospital states that they are planning on conducting outreach activities for Dr. Husson so that people who are suffering with Urology issues can get the answers and treatment they need. “Many people are silent about urology issues -allowing it to deeply impact their quality of life. We want to change that.” stated Cheryl Mcgrattan Hospital Spokesperson.“We are devotees of preventative medicine used in conjunction with medical specialties. Therefore, this was a great holiday gift.” stated Mr. Kelly.
NATHAN LITTAUER HOSPITAL was recognized during 2012 Tournament of Roses Parade On Monday, January 2, 2012 Posted on January 3, 2012August 16, 2012 by Dakota PikeNathan Littauer Hospital played an important role in the 2012 Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, California. As a hospital that participates in the Center for Donation & Transplant’s “Flags Across America” program, Nathan Littauer Hospital had a rose with a hand tied ribbon displaying our name in the Memorial Rose Garden on the Donate Life float entitled “…One More Day.” The rose is symbolic of all of the organ and tissue donors that have given or enhanced the lives of countless individuals. The Center for Donation & Transplant would like to thank Nathan Littauer Hospital for thier continued support as we continue to try to end the wait for lifesaving organs and transplants in the U.S.For more information about the Center for Donation & Transplant, please visit www.cdtny.org. For more information about the Donate Life Float, please visit www.donatelifefloat.org.
Meet the man with the plan Posted on December 30, 2011August 16, 2012 by Dakota PikeAfter a small smoke event at the hospital our Safety Officer reflects on why Littauer’s response was so exemplaryJoe Slovack answers our questions about Fire SafetyAfter a Code Red at Nathan Littauer Hospital on December 29, 2011 we sat down with Nathan Littauer’s own Joe Slovack to shed some light on how Nathan Littauer readies for emergencies. Here are a few questions we asked Joe Slovack:Q: What is your title at Nathan Littauer Hospital? A: I am the Safety Officer at Nathan Littauer Hospital.Q: How long have you been employed at Nathan Littauer Hospital?A: 30 years.Q: What happened yesterday at Nathan Littauer Hospital?A: A Code Red (fire) occurred on the 2nd floor of the Hospital at 1PM on 12/29/11. The fire was caused by construction activities that were taking place on the roof at that time. This was a small event that was mostly smoke-related but we did move patients away from the effected areas. Our staff responded quickly and efficiently by closing off areas, pulling alarms, alerting staff, and ultimately moving patients away from the smoke. No patients, staff or firefighters were injured as it was a relatively small event. Everyone did their part and many areas of the hospital were fully operational during the event.Q: The fire department arrived?A: Yes, the fire department responded quickly. And thanks to the fast acting staff in the pediatric unit and engineering and housekeeping departments, everything was mostly over by the time they arrived here. The fire department was extremely professional and excellent in their response. The Fire Department issued an ‘all-clear’ in about 40 minutes.Q: Does this type of thing happen often?A: Fortunately no.Q: The fire department was very quick to compliment Nathan Littauer staff about their response. In fact, Beth Whitman-Putnam, Fire Chief of the City of Gloversville Fire Department stated “The Staff of Nathan Littauer Hospital performed an exemplary job of evacuating and isolating the area of alarm in advance of the Fire Department’s arrival.”A: It was certainly a proud moment for the Hospital to be recognized as doing a good job reacting to an incident like this by fire personnel who do this professionally. That they were impressed with our performance says a lot about the abilities of our staff.Q: What do you have to do with the response?A: As the Safety Officer I help train all the employees at Nathan Littauer Hospital in fire safety procedures. Hospital employees receive a tremendous amount of fire and disaster response training: New hospital employees receive fire response training as part of their orientation; All staff wear badges at all times that display fire response instructions on the back; We also have completed one-on-one training with staff in different departments; And additionally, all staff must pass written tests about fire safety yearly. And then of course we have fire drills.All Littauer staff wear fire safety tips on their badgesQ: How often do you have drills?A: Once a month, one shift per quarter. In fact, we had an evacuation fire drill in June of this year that was performed in conjunction with the fire department and the activities were very similar to yesterday’s events.Q: Why do you think this “event went so well” given the circumstances?A: As a whole, our staff has many years experience doing what they do. And the practice, skills and knowledge they have gives them the confidence and ability to respond calmly to an emergency situation.Q: So I guess its back to usual at Littauer?A: Actually no. We conduct a Post-plan Activation Feedback Request with all managers after every emergency event. It’s a global survey used to review any effects an incident had in each work area. Managers get input from their staff as to what went well, or what could be improved. The responses come back to me and the results are used to assess our overall staff response and preparation, building operation, and the effectiveness of our policies related to the event. That way we can continue to improve our preparedness based on actual hand-on experience. And earning praise from the fire department like we did in this incident proves that it works.Thanks Joe Slovack Safety Officer! XXX
Shopping local? Find a gem in the Adirondacks Posted on December 16, 2011August 16, 2012 by Dakota PikeSHOPPING LOCAL? DON’T FORGET ABOUT NATHAN LITTAUER Gifts for the holiday seasonConsider Littauer for your gift giving.Gloversville, NY…Nathan Littauer Hospital is reminding people who want to “shop locally” to consider Nathan Littauer Hospital for their last- minute holiday shopping. Besides providing excellent health care services, the hospital is also a shopping and eating destination. “The hospital gift shop, run by our Auxilians is a perfect place to shop!” explained Susan McNeil Director of Volunteer Services for the hospital. “Our Auxilians Ann Adore, Chairman, Dianne James, Assistant Chairman, and Stacey White, Schedule Chairman have done an outstanding job with our hospital gift shop this year.” Sue McNeil stated, “Ann Adore would love you to see the wonderful variety of gifts, cards, toys, infant clothing, jewelry and candy.” The hospital also carries holiday flower arrangements.Terry A. Swierzowski, Interim President, Director of Tourism & Communications Fulton County Regional Chamber of Commerce & Industry agrees noting, “They have an excellent selection of jewelry and other gifts. I personally shop there.” “I think our gift shop is the best kept secret in the region” stated Susan Kiernan Vice President of Development at Nathan Littauer Hospital. “When I get a compliment on a handbag or a piece of jewelry people always seem surprised when I tell them where I got it.”The gift shop hours are Monday through Friday 10am to 4pm and on weekends from 11am to 3pm. Questions about hours can be directed to 773-5408. Sample photos of the inventory at the gift shop can be found on the hopsital FaceBook site. The shop is offering 30% of all Christmas-related items.The hospital Nutritional Services team is also selling holiday pies. “For $8.99 people can get a high-rise Dutch apple, blueberry, chocolate cream or lemon meringue pie.” stated Tim Forte, Nutrition Services Director. They are also selling holiday cookie assortments for $4.99. Orders must be made by Wednesday, December 21, for pick-up Thursday or Friday. People interested in ordering a pie can call 773-5415 or they can stop by Nate‘s Place (the cafeteria) and fill out an order form with the cashier.“The gift shop at Littauer is a find!”Ms. Kiernan advises “Visit a friend in the hospital or nursing home, stay for lunch or dinner and pick up a gift WITH free gift wrapping, and bring home a pie for your holiday meal -all the while avoiding holiday crowds.” She added, “We always have secure parking and all our proceeds go to the hospital. It does not get more local than that.” XXX Caption for photo: Holiday gifts abound at Nathan Littauer Hospital.
Spirit of giving hits Nathan Littauer Posted on December 15, 2011August 16, 2012 by Dakota PikeEmployees step up to give over 500 holiday gifts to those in need“We have been very good this year” jokes Kelly Colby when people walk into the Development Office to see a sea of Christmas presents covering every square inch of space, rising at least 3 feet tall. Actually, the gifts are destined to local families in need, and the secret shopping elves are Nathan Littauer employees. The “Gingerbread Project”, born out of Nathan Littauer Hospital has been providing gifts to local children since 1994. This year the hospital took on more children- helping 55 local children. “We knew this was going to be a hard year for people, stated Ms. Colby, a Development Coordinator at the hospital who heads up the Gingerbread Project at Littauer. “And we are so moved by the EXTRA generosity of our employees this year.” She added, “Our team understands that local families are hurting this year and wanted to make sure kids still had a happy Christmas. It makes me so proud to be a Littauer employee.”Hospital employees Kelly Colby and Maggie Luck help with the Gingerbread ProjectThe Gingerbread Project coordinates efforts through Fulmont Community Action Agency. Denis Wilson Executive Director of Fulmont Community Action Agency stated, “Once again this year the employees of Nathan Littauer Hospital and Nursing Home came through to assist our agency in helping the less fortunate in our communities. The efforts of NLH show the level of commitment that they have to helping the community. These employees have brightened the holidays for many who would otherwise go without.”Presents bound for needy familiesNamed the Gingerbread Project after the gingerbread cut outs that hang outside the cafeteria, the initiative is totally voluntary. Employees each choose a name and shop for a local child in need. Kelly notes, “Many times there are crowds around the gingerbread cutouts as employees gather to choose names and to discuss their plans.” Employees will frequently send notes to Kelly thanking her for the opportunity to give to others and explaining how much they look forward to the program.The program is a completely anonymous. Recipients of the gifts are never known and the names of the givers are not provided. Kelly explained, “We get to be Santa to a child we do not know, but we do know our efforts brighten their Christmas as well as our own.”“Whether it is giving to our hospital or to the community, our employees step up top the plate.” stated Susan Kiernan Vice President of Development. She added, “This year was an extraordinary year for employee generosity”. Hospital employees raised money for the hospital Foundation, raised money through the Kozy Coat program to buy outerwear for children and donated 110 cleaned, gently-worn coats to children in the area, helped people who were impacted by the floods and also cleaned local roads in their adopt-a-highway program. During the holidays, hospital employees also adopt all 84 nursing home residents. That way every resident gets a gift on Christmas morning.And people seem to notice. From time to time, past family recipients of the Gingerbread Project have written notes and letters to the hospital. One mother who received gifts from the Gingerbread Project wrote, “Thank you so much for helping to make Christmas something wonderful again for my son and I. This was a long hard year for my son and I but (the next year) is looking bright.” Another wrote, “Thanks for putting happy faces on my two kids. Thank you for everything. You really make a difference in their lives.”Most of the gifts were picked up today from the hospital bound for families. The agency needs a truck to pick up all the gifts. Ms. Colby reflects, “Every year the generosity of the Littauer employees amazes me. It just goes to show – at Littauer we not only give great care… we also care greatly….”
