Nathan Littauer Hospital announced as the first hospital with virtual SAFE services in New York State Posted on February 14, 2019February 14, 2019 by Dakota PikeFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEUNITED CONCIERGE MEDICINE AND NATHAN LITTAUER HOSPITAL ANNOUNCE INNOVATIVE NEW PARTNERSHIP TO IMPROVE CARE FOR VICTIMS OF SEXUAL ASSAULT Littauer is First Hospital in the State to Offer Program to Improve Care for Victims of Sexual Assault through TelemedicineGloversville, NY – United Concierge Medicine (UCM) and Nathan Littauer today announced a unique and innovative partnership to improve care for sexual assault victims called TeleSAFE.Utilizing a unique approach to care and digital technology, the UCM-administered TeleSAFE program solves the problem of limited access to care for sexual assault victims in NYS by virtually connecting Emergency Department staff with a certified Sexual Assault Forensic Examiner (SAFE). These SAFE-certified providers will then help guide ER staff through the process of the forensic exam. Launched February 1, Nathan Littauer is the first hospital in the State to offer this innovative care model.Laurence E. Kelly, President and CEO of Nathan Littauer Hospital said, “As a rural, independent hospital we always embrace new technology solutions to better serve our community. This new partnership will provide UCM’s innovative and customized virtual care to patients and support to staff, and provide even greater access to care while comforting victims of sexual assault. In the end, it is our patients – even those most vulnerable and in crisis – who will benefit from this partnership.”This program is funded by a $300,000 grant from the New York State Department of Health (DOH), Division of Family Health and a $2.85 million grant funded by the Office for Victims of Crime, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice. Both grants are being administered by the St. Peter’s Hospital Foundation.United Concierge Medicine CEO Keith Algozzine said, “Access to SAFE providers is a public health crisis disproportionally impacting small and rural hospitals. No one should be denied timely care because the hospital has no SAFE-certified provider available. That’s why UCM is so excited to launch this program and serve the patients of Nathan Littauer. We hope all hospitals who do not have 24/7/365 SAFE providers available will partner with us to ensure victims of sexual assault receive the care they need.”This program is an invaluable resource for rural and underserved areas throughout New York State (NYS), allowing them to comply with public health law to care for patients after sexual assault. The challenge for many hospitals, particularly in rural areas, is the lack of available SAFE providers. Regardless of the hospital to which a patient presents, he or she can now have access to a SAFE provider.According to the New York State DOH website, there are only 45 SAFE certified hospitals in the State. A SAFE certified facility meets strict criteria for standards of care and provides coverage for victims of sexual assault 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Of those 45 hospitals, 27 are located in or around the New York City metropolitan area, leaving 18 facilities to provide care for the approximately 12 million people in the rest of New York.However, through this unique pilot program, Nathan Littauer and 45 additional hospitals in the Capital Region and Central New York will now be able to virtually access SAFE-certified providers to properly treat victims. Importantly, 18 of these 46 hospitals are designated by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services as critical access hospitals. These facilities receive this designation if they are more than 35-miles away from another hospital (among other criteria).About UCM UCM’s Virtual ER provides 24/7 triage and treatment by a dedicated team of emergency medicine providers through modern digital tools, including phone, video and picture. This unique approach to emergency medicine has provided patients more immediate access to care in a customized and comfortable environment. In 2018, UCM used their experience as a provider of virtual emergency medicine to provide a wider net of care for victims of sexual assault, launching the TeleSAFE Program to provide comprehensive and compassionate care to any victim of sexual assault or abuse, regardless of the health care facility to which they present. To learn more about UCM’s TeleSAFE program, please visit www.TeleSAFE.org or www.unitedconciergemedicine.com.About Nathan Littauer Hospital Nathan Littauer Hospital and Nursing Home is an independent, full-service 74-bed acute care hospital system with on-campus dialysis, an 84-bed skilled nursing home and 10 primary care centers serving Upstate New York. Nathan Littauer provides safe, high-quality health and wellness services with a focus on securing appropriate new technologies in a rural setting. The hospital has nearly 1,000 employees covering a 50-mile footprint. Littauer’s medical staff provides well over 130,000 patient encounters each year. As we celebrate our 125th year of service, the hospital has expanded to offer health care that is comprehensive, accessible, and relevant to the needs of the communities we serve. In March of 2019, Nathan Littauer will open a newly built, state-of-the-art Primary Care Center in Broadalbin, NY. More information can be found by visiting www.nlh.org.
Wellness Words February 2019 Posted on February 11, 2019February 11, 2019 by Dakota PikeHealthLink Littauer’sWELLNESS WORDSSubmitted by Alicia DeRuscio, B.S.Community Education Assistant February Is American Heart MonthDid you know the leading cause of death for both men and women in the United States is heart disease? According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, about 630,000 Americans die from heart disease every year. Therefore, it’s important to stay educated on heart health, know the risk factors associated with heart problems, and the steps you can take to protect yourself against such problems.Speaking of heart health, you’ve probably heard the terms cardiovascular disease, heart disease and coronary artery disease, but do you know the difference between them?Cardiovascular Disease (CVD)The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute defines cardiovascular disease as a broad term used to describe any type of disease that affects either the heart or the blood vessels. Heart disease is considered a type of cardiovascular disease. All heart diseases are considered cardiovascular diseases, but not all cardiovascular diseases are heart diseases.Heart DiseaseThere are several types of heart diseases, all of which affect the heart. While coronary artery disease is the most common type of heart disease, there are many other conditions that affect the heart. These conditions may include but are not limited to arrhythmias, heart failure and cardiomyopathy. An arrhythmia is an irregular heartbeat that can be either very fast or very slow, heart failure occurs when the heart cannot pump enough blood to supply the body’s needs, and cardiomyopathy is a condition that affects the heart muscles, resulting in a weakened heart.Coronary Artery Disease (CAD)Coronary artery disease is a type of heart disease and, according to the American Heart Association, is actually the most common type of heart disease, affecting more than 16.5 million Americans. CAD occurs when there is a buildup of plaque in the arteries. This plaque is usually made up of fat, cholesterol, calcium or other substances. When plaque builds up, the flow of oxygen-rich blood to the heart is blocked and can lead to chest pain and heart attack.Promoting Heart HealthWhile there are some uncontrollable risk factors that increase the chance of developing cardiovascular disease, like age or family history, there are many risk factors that we can control. High blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking, diabetes, obesity, a poor diet and inactivity can all greatly increase your chance of developing cardiovascular disease. In order to promote heart health and protect against CVD, the National Institute of Health recommends:Keeping your blood pressure, cholesterol, and A1C levels in check by visiting your healthcare provider on a regular basis.Reducing the amount of salt you eat to no more than 2,300 mg per day.Increasing the amount of fruits, vegetables and whole grains you eat.Engaging in physical activity on a regular basis.Maintaining a healthy weight.Not smoking.Managing stress.For more information, contact your healthcare provider or call HealthLink Littauer at 518-736-1120. You can email us at healthlink@nlh.org or visit our wellness center on 2 Colonial Court in downtown Johnstown. We’re your community health & wellness service of Nathan Littauer Hospital and Nursing Home.
PRISCILLA PARKHURST FERGUSON OBITUARY Posted on January 16, 2019 by Dakota Pike Priscilla Parkhurst Ferguson of Manhattan and Gloversville, New York, died at Mount Sinai St. Luke’s Hospital in Manhattan on December 31, 2018. She was born in Gloversville in 1940, the daughter of Richard and Neale Parkhurst.After graduating from the Emma Willard School and Mount Holyoke College, cum laude, she earned a Master’s Degree and a Ph.D. in French from Columbia University. Dr. Ferguson retired a few years ago as Professor Emerita of Sociology at Columbia University after a long and accomplished career. According to her university biography, her work ranged from analysis of the literary field in France to studies of the post-revolutionary French novel through explorations of an emerging national culture in France over the 19th century. Her most current research involved the sociology of food and cuisine.Dr. Ferguson taught at the University of Illinois at Chicago from 1966 to 1989, rising to the level of Professor and Chair of the Department of French. While there her first two books were published, both in America and Belgium.In 1989 she began teaching at Columbia University as Professor of Sociology and French. She published three more books during her tenure there and held positions for various periods as Director of Undergraduate Studies and Director of Graduate Studies.During her academic and teaching career, Dr. Ferguson was invited to be a Visiting Lecturer or a Visiting Professor at the University of Chicago, Yale University, Le Institut d’ẽtudes Francaises d’Avignon, and Harvard University. In addition to her five books, she edited two books, published at least twenty-two journal and magazine articles and at least five book reviews during her long career.Dr. Ferguson was married for almost 30 years to the late Robert A. Ferguson who, like Priscilla, was a distinguished and nationally recognized professor at Columbia University.PRISCILLA PARKHURST FERGUSON, Obituary 1-9-19 Page 1The Fergusons were generous benefactors to Nathan Littauer Hospital and Nursing Home in Gloversville, N.Y. In 2012, they established the Priscilla Parkhurst Ferguson and Robert A. Ferguson Fund for Education. This fund annually provides scholarships to employees to enhance their careers. The Fergusons also donated funds to construct The Parkhurst-Ferguson Pavilion which houses the Gloversville Dialysis Center on the Littauer Campus. In 2015, Dr. Ferguson stated, “We are great supporters of Gloversville, and of Nathan Littauer as a key institution in Fulton County. We hope that by giving back to this community, others will recognize the importance and do the same.”Dr. Ferguson was a member of the Board of Directors of the Nathan Littauer Foundation as well as various professional organizations.From her childhood days as a lifeguard at Gloversville’s Littauer Pool to the more recent years of nurturing the roses at her Gloversville home during summer breaks, taking long evening walks with Robert, and having lively conversations with local friends, Priscilla Ferguson enjoyed the benefits of life in Gloversville.Dr. Ferguson is predeceased by her parents, Richard and Neale Parkhurst and her brothers Peter and Michael. She is survived by nephews David, Richard B. III, Cameron and Alexander Parkhurst and niece Amanda Parkhurst.A memorial service will be held at the family’s convenience.
Wellness Words January 2019 Posted on January 10, 2019 by Dakota PikeHealthLink Littauer’sWELLNESS WORDSSubmitted by Alicia DeRuscio, B.S.Community Education Assistant Thyroid AwarenessJanuary is thyroid awareness month! You’ve probably heard of the thyroid gland before, but do you know what it does? According to National Institutes of Health, the thyroid is a small, butterfly-shaped gland that’s located in the base of the neck and produces thyroid hormone. While it is a relatively small gland, the thyroid plays a big role in how our bodies function.For example, the thyroid gland regulates many of the organs within our bodies including the heart, brain, liver, kidneys and skin, and affects things like our heart rate, digestion, breathing and body temperature. Therefore, to protect and maintain your body’s overall well-being, it’s important your thyroid gland works properly.The American College of Endocrinology estimates roughly 30 million Americans are affected by thyroid disease, altering the function of their thyroid gland. The two most common conditions of thyroid disease include hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism.Hyperthyroidism occurs when the thyroid gland produces too much thyroid hormone and increases the activity of the body systems. According to the Department of Health and Human Services, symptoms of hyperthyroidism include weight loss, eating more than normal, increased heartbeat, irritability, problems sleeping, feelings of anxiety or nervousness, feeling warm more easily, increased sweating, muscle weakness and increased bowel movements or diarrhea.While it is not the only cause, the most common cause of hyperthyroidism is an autoimmune disorder known as Grave’s disease. This disorder causes the thyroid to produce more thyroid hormone than the body needs.Hypothyroidism occurs when the thyroid gland doesn’t produce enough thyroid hormone, slowing down the function of the body systems. The Department of Health and Human Services lists common symptoms of hypothyroidism as weight gain, feeling cold more easily, sweating less than normal, muscle weakness, muscle or joint pain, feeling sad, depressed or extremely tired, dry skin, thinning hair, a swollen face or hoarse voice and constipation.Another autoimmune disorder, known as Hashimoto’s disease, is the most common cause of hypothyroidism. Hashimoto’s disease causes your body’s immune system to attack the thyroid gland, causing swelling, scarring and decreased production of thyroid hormone.While thyroid disease is common, it is often hard to identify. Unfortunately, many symptoms of thyroid disease mimic other chronic conditions. One indication of a thyroid disorder may be a thyroid nodule or goiter. A thyroid nodule is a swelling in one section of the thyroid gland while a goiter is an enlargement of the entire thyroid gland. Not all nodules cause problems, but some can.If you have a family history of thyroid disease, swelling of the thyroid gland or experience symptoms of a thyroid disorder, talk with your healthcare provider. A simple blood test can determine whether or not your thyroid is doing its job.For more information, contact your healthcare provider or call HealthLink Littauer at 518-736-1120. You can email us at healthlink@nlh.org or visit our wellness center on 2 Colonial Court in downtown Johnstown. We’re your community health & wellness service of Nathan Littauer Hospital and Nursing Home.
Littauer’s Birthing Center welcomes the first baby of 2019 Posted on January 4, 2019January 8, 2019 by Dakota PikeParents are grateful for the send-offNathan Littauer Hospital & Nursing Home announced today that baby Bella Ann Waffle was the first baby born at NLH & NH in the New Year. Bella’s parents, Alyssa Duma and Michael Waffle of Gloversville welcomed little Bella on January 3, 2019 at 9:19 a.m. Bella, shown here dressed in her beautiful gold polka dot New Year’s best dress, weighed 7 pounds 7 ounces and was 21 inches long. Midwife Andrea Becker, C.N.M. delivered baby Bella.Meet Bella, Nathan Littauer’s Birthing Center’s First Baby of the Year!Littauer’s Auxiliary presented the family with a generous gift of supplies and necessities. This special presentation by our auxiliary has been a tradition for over 30 years. Anita Beck, an auxiliary member coordinates the shopping for the First Baby months in advance of the event. Bella’s parents were grateful for the auxiliary’s generosity stating, “Thank you so much for all you did!” “The Auxiliary puts a tremendous amount of thought into the Baby New Year basket. What the parents leave with is a gift of the heart while being extremely practical as well,” stated Sue McNeil, Director of Volunteer Services at Nathan Littauer Hospital.Celebrating the happy family! (from left to right) Jeanne Wilkinson, auxiliary member, Sue McNeil, Director of Volunteer Services, Norma Cozzolino, Auxiliary President, Baby Bella, Alyssa Duma and Michael Waffle
