Three honored by NLH for community service Posted on April 25, 2018 by Dakota PikeAlexis Hayes, left, Pamela Bell, and the Rev. Bonnie Orth, right, with their ACE Awards they received Monday at Nathan Littauer Hospital. (The Leader-Herald/Briana O’Hara)Rev. Bonnie Orth, left, Alexis Hayes, and Pamela Bell, right, each receive the ACE Award at Nathan Littaeur Hospital on Monday. (The Leader-Herald/Briana O’Hara)A story from our media partner, The Leader Herald, April 17, 2018Briana O’Hara/Reporter GLOVERSVILLE — Three Nathan Littauer Hospital and Nursing Home employees were surprised with the A.C. E. Award — Awards Celebrating Employees –which they received Monday. The Rev. Bonnie Orth, Pamela Bell and Alexis Hayes each received the award for their extraordinary work done outside the scope of their role within the organization.Carla Kolbe, public relations coordinator at Nathan Littauer said this is one of the most prestigious awards given. She said within the last five years, only three A.C.E. awards have been given.“On behalf of Littauer, I’d like to say how very proud we are of these three employees,” Kolbe said. “Their compassion and humanitarian efforts have gone far beyond what they bring to Littauer every day. For these reasons, they are recognized.”Orth, Bell and Hayes joined 31 others and traveled to Pachaj, Guatemala in February for nine days to provide care to Guatemalan residents who don’t get the same medical treatment as we do in the United States.While in Guatemala, Orth held a two-day Domestic Violence Women’s Retreat for a total of 100 women — 50 women each day. Orth said women don’t have as many options when it comes to domestic violence in Guatemala. She goes every year and holds workshops for the women and gives them each a gift bag. She said she does an exercise with the women and asks them if they were queen for a day what they would do. “They have some really profound answers like ‘I would make sure every child in the village could eat today and have a full stomach.’ That’s what they would wish for because that shows you that does not happen,” Orth said.“I think that it’s really nice that they recognized us,” Orth said of the award. “It was nice to take employees from the hospital and make a difference in the greater community and by greater I mean outside this country.”Hayes worked the medical clinic while in Guatemala, along with one doctor and four nurses. There they treated about 180 medical patients.“I was very excited to take part again in the mission for the second time,” Hayes said. “It’s such an awarding thing to do with your life. I’m so grateful for what we have here in our country. And it was wonderful to meet the natives down there; they were so kind.”Hayes said when she was working in the medical clinic, there was so little they could do for the patients, but were able to give them medications they brought to Guatemala.“They are so grateful that we are able to do just that little bit for them,” Hayes said. “Even if we can make them feel better for a month , they hug you and kiss you and it’s just so rewarding.”Orth said some of the patients had walked four hours just to get to the clinic to get treatment and some had to walk with kids.When in Guatemala, Bell worked in the dental clinic along with two dentists, one hygienist and staff treating about 187 dental patients. There they painted children’s teeth with fluoride which prevents them from getting cavities.This was Bell’s second time going to Guatemala.“It was rewarding,” she said. “It was work, but it was good work. It was helping them and they also helped us.”Bell said some of the patients in the dental clinic were scared, but trusted them even though the doctors, nurses and staff were the foreigners. She said one of the patients thanked them by giving them each a piece of fabric she had woven herself by a means of thanking them.“We had a few days to ourselves too which was nice to see the culture,” Bell said.The three also had an eye clinic and dispensed approximately 130 pairs of eyeglasses.There were also workers there who built a second story cement classroom for a school and a built a covered play area in which the workers dug a 6 foot deep and 24 feet around trench.Hayes, Orth and Bell also faced a few struggles while on the trip. Hayes explained how they didn’t have access to any blood work, X-rays or anything and had to go by the symptoms the patients were telling them and it all had to be done through an interpreter because they spoke Spanish. Orth said many of them didn’t even speak Spanish, but an indigenous language.Other struggles the three faced were bringing in donations. Orth said they had 58 suitcases filled of donations, but the airlines were not cooperative, so they had to pay $2,000 to bring the suitcases through.“Nathan Littauer donated a lot of medical supplies and we brought those with us. The dentist had 12 suitcases of dental supplies,” Orth said. “A lot of the times, the airlines will let non-profits bring in free luggage and they were not as cooperative as we hoped.”Orth described Guatemala City as similar to New York City, but people are walking around with uzi’s and guns. She said the small village where they were was similar to size as Mayfield. She said Guatemala City was the only place she did not feel safe.Overall, Orth said the trip was a lot of work, “but it was worth it.”
Wellness Words April 2018 Posted on April 3, 2018 by Dakota PikeHealthLink Littauer’sWELLNESS WORDSSubmitted by Alicia DeRuscio, B.S.Community Education Assistant April Is National Humor MonthIs laughter really the best medicine? According to the American Heart Association, humor and laughing can actually help protect against developing heart disease!Research from the American Heart Association suggests that laughter can: Decrease stress hormones – Laughing has been shown to decrease the stress hormone “cortisol” in your body.Reduce stress and anxiety – By decreasing your stress hormones, laughing relieves feelings of stress and anxiety.Reduce inflammation in the arteries – Laughing makes your blood vessels dilate, increases the amount of oxygen pumped through your body and reduces inflammation.Increase HDL or “good” cholesterol levels – Research suggests laughter can help improve your cholesterol.When you laugh, you can’t help but feel good and what’s even better – the AHA says the effects of laughing can last up to 24 hours! The Cancer Treatment Centers of America claim that humor has both therapeutic and restorative effects on the body. They even use “laughter therapy” as a natural medicine for their patients. Laughter therapy is the use of humor to promote overall health and wellness.By using this type of therapy, the Center’s staff can help relieve the physical and emotional stressors of their patients, and aid their healing process.According to studies at the Cancer Treatment Centers of America, laughter can: Stimulate the heart and lungsRelax the muscles throughout the bodyTrigger the release of endorphins or “feel-good” hormonesEase digestion and soothe stomach painsImprove mental functionPromote relaxationImprove sleepEnhance quality of life So, what are you waiting for? Do your mind, body, and soul a favor by adding some humor to your life with these simple tips:Smile – Laughter always begins with a smile, and smiling is contagious!Be thankful – Make a list of all the positive things in your life and avoid negative thoughts as these act as a barrier to laughter.Make laughter a part of YOUR day – If you’re around others that are laughing, chances are that you’ll be laughing, too!For more information on healthy humor, call HealthLink Littauer at 518-736-1120, 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.
Johnstown teachers support NLH with 400 books Posted on March 15, 2018 by Dakota Pike: NLH Birthing Center Ward Clerk, Lindsay Barter, left, Johnstown Teachers Assoc. Rep/Chairperson, Gloria Bruno, NLH Birthing Center Ward Clerk, Kristen Green, and NLH Lactation Consultant , Nancy Quinlan, RN, IBCLC, OSC.GLOVERSVILLE, NEW YORK (March 13, 2018) – The Johnstown Teachers Association recently donated 400 books to the Nathan Littauer Hospital Birthing Center, as a part of their Community Outreach Program. Research shows that reading aloud to children is imperative for cognitive growth. And, it’s never too early to start reading to your child. Even newborns love to hear the rhythm and inflection of the human voice. The more you read to a baby, the more their brain will grow.The books are distributed to new mothers at The Birthing Center to encourage reading from the start. In the photo are: NLH Birthing Center Ward Clerk, Lindsay Barter, left, Johnstown Teachers Assoc. Rep/Chairperson, Gloria Bruno, NLH Birthing Center Ward Clerk, Kristen Green, and NLH Lactation Consultant , Nancy Quinlan, RN, IBCLC, OSC.
Wellness Words March 2018 Posted on March 9, 2018 by Dakota PikeHealthLink Littauer’sWELLNESS WORDSSubmitted by Alicia DeRuscio, B.S.Community Education Assistant Nutrition & AgingAs you age, your body experiences many changes. To promote a long, healthy life it’s important to fuel your body with proper nutrients. Since March is National Nutrition Month, it’s the perfect time to educate yourself on what foods to eat and how to better your health throughout each stage of life. The National Institute on Aging recommends the following:Drink Plenty Of FluidsSometimes with age you lose your sense of thirst, however, it’s important to stay hydrated. Choose healthy beverages including water, low-fat or fat-free milk and 100% fruit juices to hydrate your body. Try to avoid drinks that have added sugar or excess salt as these can contribute to weight gain and cardiovascular problems. Choose Healthy MealsWhat you put into your body can greatly affect your health. Educate yourself on what foods to eat and how much you should be eating by visiting www.ChooseMyPlate.gov. Watch Your Portion Sizes A portion size is the amount of food you put on your plate or eat. Often times many people eat more than necessary, leading to weight gain and health problems. Therefore, it’s important to recognize how much you are eating so you can control your portions. Try using smaller plates or bowls – this will automatically make you choose smaller portions. Vegetables, Vegetables, Vegetables!Brighten your plate with a variety of vegetables. These are low in calories and provide the body with many nutrients and fiber. Eat To Protect Your Teeth And GumsAs you age, you may notice changes to your teeth or gums. This can make it harder to chew certain foods like fruits, vegetables, and meats. Try eating foods that are softer, including low-sodium soups, unsweetened fruit cups, or canned tuna. Use Herbs And Spices When You CookAge can affect your sense of smell and your sense of taste. Foods may seem to lose their flavor and taste differently from what they once did. Add some flavor back into your meals by using herbs and spices when cooking. Safety First!Don’t risk eating unsafe food as this can cause illness and be life-threatening to an older person. Avoid risky foods such as unpasteurized dairy or undercooked eggs, fish, meat, or poultry.Check The Nutrition Facts LabelKnow what you are purchasing and eating by looking at the nutrition facts label. Pay attention to the total calories, fats, sodium, and sugars for each food. To promote health, choose foods with fewer calories, limit the amount of fat you eat, and avoid excess salt and sugar.Finally, Eat While Socializing!Make your meals a time to connect with others. Plan a dinner with family or friends, or join a club or senior center to share a meal with others. This will make meal times more enjoyable, making it easier for you to be mindful of your nutrition.If you would like to learn more, attend a special program on ‘Nutrition & Aging’ presented by Erika Winney MS RD CDN, Littauer’s Clinical Nutrition Manager on March 28 in Littauer’s Auditorium.You are invited to join us for a buffet-style luncheon at 11:30 for $6 or attend the presentation only at 12 noon at no charge. To attend, call HealthLink Littauer at 518-736-1120 or email healthlink@nlh.org. We’re your community health & wellness service of Nathan Littauer Hospital and Nursing Home.
Littauer welcomes Pediatrician Dr. David Eisenberg Posted on March 1, 2018 by Dakota PikeDavid Eisenberg, M.D., F.A.A.P. (February 21, 2018) Nathan Littauer Hospital & Nursing Home is proud welcome David Eisenberg, M.D., F.A.A.P., to their pediatric staff at Perth Primary/Specialty Care Center.Dr. Eisenberg medical career has spanned 20 years. He is the founder /pediatrician of Eisenberg Pediatrics establishing a 10-year practice in Long Island. He comes to Littauer from private practice in both Putnam and Westchester Counties, as well as in Greenwich, Connecticut.“I am thrilled to be practicing at Littauer,” said Dr. Eisenberg. “I’d like to think I will be a positive influence as I practice in this community.”Dr. Eisenberg received his Doctor of Medicine degree from the State University of New York at Stony Brook, and completed his residency at North Shore University Hospital, Manhasset, New York. He is a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics and certified by the American Board of Pediatrics, and a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics.“Littauer is fortunate to have Dr. Eisenberg practicing in our community,” states Cheryl MCGrattan, Littauer VP Marketing/Communications. “His experience and expertise is exceptional. He is bringing the latest in pediatric healthcare to Littauer’s youngest patients.”Dr. Eisenberg is practicing at Littauer’s Primary/Specialty Care Center in Perth Monday through Friday. For an appointment, please call (518) 883-8624.