ALBANY BU. REVIEW: “Littauer has run in the black each of the past 16 years” Posted on November 16, 2017 by Dakota PikeHere’s a story from our media partner, the Albany Business Review:Five questions with Laurence Kelly, president and CEO of Nathan Littauer HospitalALBANY BUSINESS REVIEW:SUBSCRIBER CONTENT: Nov 10, 2017, 6:00am ESTPHILIP SCALIANathan Littauer Hospital & Nursing Home CEO Laurence E. KellyIn an industry where the big players keep getting bigger, Laurence Kelly says he’s happy with where his hospital is.Nathan Littauer Hospital in Gloversville has been in the black each of the past 16 years. That financial footing lets the hospital make decisions that allow doctors to provide better care, even if it may not help the bottom line.Kelly, president and CEO of the hospital, compares it to baseball players Dustin Pedroia or Jose Altuve who are both small in stature but have been among the best players in the league.They were supposed to be too small to be successful, but they surprised people, Kelly says.Have you been approached about affiliations or mergers with other larger hospitals? You know, everybody wants us. We’ve been in the black 16 years in a row. I don’t think there’s another hospital that can say that. We think there’s no reason we can’t stay independent, and what I tell people who ask me is, “When things change here, we’ll call you.”Patient days declined for hospitals on The List again this year, while outpatient visits were up. What do you see as the driving forces behind that? It’s been going on for a long time. Inpatient revenue is about 20 percent of our total revenue. Look at the average hospital, and it’s closer to 40 percent, and those hospitals aren’t doing as well.Did the Affordable Care Act play a role in that? It could have accelerated it a little bit, but it’s hard to track it. We opened a primary care center in Fonda this year. It hasn’t had health care in years. One patient told us he thought there’d been a doctor there in the ‘80s. Since August, we’ve been getting one or two new patients a day, some who are seeing a doctor for the first time. That was a goal of the ACA, to visit doctors before things get bad and you end up in the ER or get admitted.Health care is a fast-growing sector for hiring. Is it difficult to get people to come to Gloversville? We had Sen. Chuck Schumer here a few weeks ago and he was blown away when I told him we have employees here from 20 different countries. It’s like a mini-United Nations, and we’re proud of that. There are some niche jobs that are difficult to fill, but we have been able to recruit who we need.What’s next for the hospital? We’ve got a bunch of things up our sleeve. One thing we’re seeing are the CVS’s, the Rite Aids, the Price Choppers, drug stores building a little corner for telemedicine. In the next year or two, there’s going to a proliferation of alternatives for going to the doctor’s office for simple things. Any health care organization not doing that now better figure out how to do that.
Wellness Words November 2017 Posted on November 16, 2017 by Dakota PikeHealthLink Littauer’sWELLNESS WORDSSubmitted by Carol Tomlinson, RN BSCommunity Health EducatorManaging Diabetes During The HolidaysThe holiday season is both a beautiful and stressful time of year for most of us. If you have been diagnosed with diabetes, it can be even more challenging to manage your diabetes and the holidays at the same time. However, according to the American Diabetes Association, with some minor changes you should be able to handle managing both with confidence.First and foremost, remember to enjoy yourself. You certainly don’t need another stressor. For example, in order to get in your exercise time, take a walk around the neighborhood to enjoy the decorations or try something new like snow shoeing or cross country skiing. These simple things can help to keep the holidays wonderful and simple.Let’s face it, everywhere you go there will be food. What do you do? First remember “Everything in Moderation!” Here are some other tips to help you manage successfully:If you know ahead of time that you will be in a situation of temptation, plan your day accordingly. Eat healthy at home and consider filling up on good nutritious foods prior to going out, in order to minimize cravings.Fill your plate with healthy foods.Pick the one item you absolutely must splurge on and put a small amount of it on your plate, guilt free. But remember that it is on your plate and avoid the other things that you don’t really need or like.When going to a dinner party let your hostess know you have dietary restrictions in advance. Most people appreciate knowing any specific needs so they can make their guests more comfortable. It may be something as simple as setting out an artificial sweetener with coffee. It may also reduce the “hurt feelings syndrome” when you are selective and take small amounts of food.Another important thing to remember is that alcohol does have calories and can interfere with medications. If you have specific questions on use of alcohol with your medical regime, talk to your doctor or pharmacist for the best advice.Eating healthy is good for everyone, not just people with diabetes. If you are bringing food to a gathering, make it healthy. If you plan on baking use a diabetes friendly recipe. There are many great recipes available online, in magazines, and at your local library.Check your blood sugar levels regularly especially during the holiday season. The feedback provided is invaluable and provides a lot of insight into what your personal limits are. Ideal goals, regardless of the season, are fasting values of 80-120 mg/dl and about 140 mg/dl 2 hours after eating. Higher values may indicate there is a little too much holiday cheer going on.With a little bit of moderation, you can help to ensure the holidays can be enjoyed by everyone, regardless of diabetes. And with a little bit of moderation, you can help to ensure that there will be many more enjoyable holiday seasons to come!If you would like to learn more about managing your diabetes, HealthLink Littauer will begin a six-week series of free educational classes on “Diabetes Self-Management” beginning January 25, 2018. For more information, call HealthLink Littauer at 518-736-1120. You can e-mail us at healthlink@nlh.org, see our website at nlh.org, or visit our new wellness center at 2 Colonial Court in downtown Johnstown, Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. We’re your community health & wellness service of Nathan Littauer Hospital and Nursing Home.
Friends of the Gloversville Public Library celebrate with Littauer’s Birthing Center Posted on November 14, 2017 by Dakota Pike– Meagan Fleaszar and Austin Syzdek with newborn daughter Sophia Syzdek, and Jean LaPorta, President, Friends of the Gloversville Public LibraryGLOVERSVILLE, NEW YORK (October 30, 2017) – In celebration of National Friends of Libraries Week in October, the Friends of the Gloversville Public Library presented the first baby born that week at The Birthing Center at Nathan Littauer Hospital with a basket of books and gifts.Sophia Syzdek was born on Wednesday, Oct.18, making her the gift recipient. She is the daughter of Meagan Fleaszar and Austin Syzdek of Gloversville.Presenter Jean LaPorta, President, Friends of the Gloversville Public Library, said the organization does this activity annually for the first baby born at Littauer during National Friends of Libraries Week.“We really enjoy doing this” LaPorta said. “We hope these books will encourage a love of reading in the child and they will choose to visit our library,” she added.This gift from the Friends of the Gloversville Public Library is made available through library donations.
2017 Priscilla Parkhurst Ferguson and Robert A. Ferguson Fund for Education recipients Posted on November 8, 2017November 8, 2017 by Dakota PikeLittauer employees are recipients of the Priscilla Parkhurst Ferguson and Robert A. Ferguson Fund for EducationLittauer President and CEO Laurence E. Kelly, Scholar Kayla Bellinger, Benefactor Dr. Priscilla Parkhurst Ferguson, Scholar Tammy Merendo, and Littauer Foundation Executive Director Geoffrey Peck(Missing in photo: Scholar Krista Sheils)GLOVERSVILLE, NEW YORK (October 24, 2017) – Nathan Littauer Hospital & Nursing Home recently revealed the recipients of scholarships from the Priscilla Parkhurst Ferguson and Robert A. Ferguson Fund for Education. Kayla Bellinger, RN, BSN, Tammy Merendo, RN, and Krista Sheils RN, BSN received awards during a presentation at Littauer.“The Nathan Littauer Foundation is honored to present these prestigious awards to Littauer employees wishing to continue their healthcare education. This has become an annual tradition made possible by the Ferguson’s generosity” said Geoffrey Peck Vice President / Executive Director Nathan Littauer Foundation. “They have been great benefactors, and we are thankful that they have chosen to support the education of Littauer staff.”Kayla Bellinger works at Littauer’s Johnstown Surgical Center and is pursuing a career as a Family Nurse Practioner. “I am grateful for this award,” said Bellinger. “I can now pursue my dreams and soon give back to my community.”Tammy Merendo, Director of Community Education for Littauer’s HealthLink, is currently finishing a Bachelor’s degree in Nursing. Upon completion, she plans to pursue her Master’s degree. Merendo expressed gratitude noting; “I am so grateful for this opportunity to grow in my profession while remaining at Littauer.”Krista Sheils, a Littauer maternity department nurse, is currently pursuing her Master’s in Nursing and her licensure as a Family Nurse Practitioner.Priscilla and Robert Ferguson have created a legacy of support for Nathan Littauer Hospital. Scholarships have been awarded annually since 2014, to enhance the careers of Littauer employees.Priscilla and Robert had expressed that helping Littauer and its employees is an excellent way to serve the community. Just as Littauer employees are the heart and soul of the hospital, so too is the hospital as it sustains Gloversville as a vital and desirable place to live.
Littauer announces latest Goodwill Award; Erin Schreckenberger Posted on November 8, 2017 by Dakota PikeLittauer 2017 third-quarter Goodwill Award recipient, Erin Schreckenberger, with Littauer President and CEO Laurence E. KellyGLOVERSVILLE, NEW YORK (October 23, 2017) – Nathan Littauer Hospital & Nursing Home honored Certified Nurse Assistant, Erin Schreckenberger with the 2017 third-quarter Goodwill Award. Schreckenberger is an office coordinator at Littauer’s Easterly Primary Care Center. She was presented the award by Littauer President and CEO, Laurence E. Kelly before a gathering of Littauer staff.“It takes all 1000 employees to make Littauer what we are,” said Mr. Kelly. “Erin exemplifies Littauer’s values and is the perfect fit for this honor.”Many examples of Erin’s fine character were produced, justifying her honor as the Goodwill recipient.Schreckenberger humbly accepted the award.Recipients for the award are nominated by NLH employees, providers or patients and submitted to the Goodwill Committee. They are selected in a blind format.Schreckenberger received a plaque and a check along with her special honor.
