Littauer announces new Director of Community Education Posted on July 19, 2016July 20, 2016 by Dakota PikeGLOVERSVILLE – Littauer is proud to announce Tammy Merendo, RN, as the next Director of Community Education working for Littauer’s HealthLink. She is filling a position recently vacated by the retired Sue Cridland. Merendo currently is a nurse manager at the Nathan Littauer Hospital Nursing Home.“I am looking forward to transitioning into this exciting role,” said Merendo. “HealthLink offers so much to the community, and this is such a pivotal time to be in public health.”Merendo is a tireless patient advocate and enjoys helping people negotiate their health care needs. “I love working in the community and I look forward to linking people to the many health services offered, including some they may not even know about.”Prior to Littauer, Merendo has worked as an RN case manager specializing in HIV/AIDS and Hospice. She has led community projects through the Creative Connections Art Center, and assisted with programs such as Adirondack Friends in Need, Red Ribbon Partnership, and Flash Forward 4H group.Merendo is also the recipient of the 1998 Excellence in Nursing Award and the 2001 Most Honorable Student for the Health Science Department from Southern Union Community College, 2007 Nurse of Excellence Award for Fulton-Montgomery Community College, and the 2015 Gregory Hoye Caregiver Award from Mountain Valley Hospice.“I am thrilled to welcome Tammy as our new director at HealthLink,” said Littauer VP of Communications and Public Relations, Cheryl McGrattan. “Our mission is to bring healthcare into the community. Our neighbors will definitely benefit from Tammy’s integrity and enthusiasm.”Merendo attended Southern Union Community College in Opelika Alabama to receive her Associate Degree in Nursing. She is currently enrolled in Utica College working toward her Bachelors in Nursing. She grew up in Broadalbin and lives in Amsterdam.Merendo will assume her new position in August at HealthLink, Littauer’s Wellness Education & Resource Center, located on 2 Colonial Court in downtown Johnstown, (518) 736-1120.Littauer Community Educator, Tammy Merendo, RN
Wellness Words July 2016 Posted on July 12, 2016July 12, 2016 by Dakota PikeHealthLink Littauer’sWELLNESS WORDSSubmitted by Carol Tomlinson, RN BSCommunity Health Educator First Aid For Common Summer EmergenciesSummer is a great time to be active and outdoors! However, there are some dangers associated with summer activities. In order to have a safe and happy summer, the American Red Cross recommends the following tips to help you be prepared in case of these common emergencies.Heat ExhaustionSymptoms: Cool, moist, pale or clammy skin. Heavy sweating, headache or nausea may also be present.Treatment: Move the person to a cool place, help them loosen their clothing and have them lie down. Apply cool wet cloths and raise their feet 8 to 10 inches. If not vomiting, give cool (not iced) water or juice. Make sure they sip it slowly and give them half a glass about every 15 minutes for an hour. If symptoms worsen or continue longer than an hour, seek medical attention.Heat StrokeSymptoms: Hot, red skin, rapid and strong pulse, possible unconsciousness, confusion and even convulsions. Call 911!Treatment: Until medical help is available, move the person to a cooler place, reduce body temperature with a cool bath, or wrap cool sheets around their body and fan them. Give cool water or ice chips unless vomiting or reduced consciousness is present.SunburnSymptoms: Pink or red skin that feels hot and painful to the touch (first degree burn). Blistering indicates a more severe, second degree burn.Treatment: The American Academy of Dermatology recommendations include:Move out of the sun ASAPTake frequent cool baths or showers. Gently pat dry but leave some dampness.Apply a moisturizer that contains aloe vera, soy or hydrocortisone cream. Do not treat with a “caine” product like benzocaine.Do not pop blisters. Cover blister if needed with a light bandage.Bleeding WoundApply direct, gentle pressure until the bleeding subsides. Wash the wound with soap and water. Don’t try to clean deep wounds. Apply a clean, dry bandage. Seek medical attention if the bleeding persists, is very deep, or there has not been a tetanus shot for more than 5 years.Bruises (seek medical attention for bruises on the chest or abdomen)Apply a cold compress for 10 to 15 minutes several times during the first 24 hours. After the first day, apply heat 3 to 4 times a day for up to 48 hours.Muscle or Joint Strain or SprainRemember R.I.C.E.Rest the affected area by not using it.Ice the area as soon as possible to limit swelling. Continue to ice it for 15 to 20 minutes, four to eight times a day for the first 24 to 48 hours.Compress the area with an elastic wrap.Elevate the area above the heart, if possible, to prevent further swelling. Get medical assistance if you are unable to bear weight, you can’t use the joint, it feels numb, or the pain is severe.Remember, prevention is the best treatment of all! For more information, or to attend a class on First Aid/CPR, contact the American Red Cross at 462-7461 (redcross.org), your health care provider, or HealthLink Littauer at 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.
Littauer and American Renal Associates set the foundation for Fulton County dialysis center Posted on June 17, 2016 by Dakota PikeGLOVERSVILLE – Nathan Littauer Hospital, in partnership with American Renal Associates, is proud to announce the “foundation setting” for its new state-of-the-art dialysis center in Gloversville. The new facility in Fulton County will offer the latest technology for the care and comfort of patients suffering from kidney disease. On Friday, June 17, Nathan Littauer Hospital administrators, together with Dr. Soo Lee and Dr. Hani Shahata of American Renal Associates and local dignitaries, ceremoniously set the foundation as the construction of the center got underway. “We are very excited about this venture with Littauer,” said Dr. Lee. “Dialysis is an essential service, and it will be a tremendous advantage to patients in Fulton County and beyond the region.” The new dialysis center at Nathan Littauer Hospital will be the first dialysis center in Fulton County and one of the few dialysis centers in the nation attached to both a hospital and a nursing home. The center is fully prepared to serve all local patients suffering from kidney disease on an outpatient basis. “Drs. Lee and Shahata of American Renal Associates share our mission of providing world-class healthcare services to Fulton County,” said Laurence E. Kelly, president and CEO of Nathan Littauer Hospital. “Our ongoing partnership with these extraordinary doctors will increase our capacity to better serve our neighbors.” Littauer expects the dialysis center to improve the quality of life for patients suffering from kidney disease. Many dialysis patients have to travel hours for a treatment that can last up to four hours, three times a week. It is Littauer’s mission to provide world-class healthcare locally. Although the new dialysis center is an outpatient facility, Littauer has filed an application with the New York State Department of Health to offer dialysis to patients admitted to the hospital. The facility fully expects approval for this request. As stated, the Gloversville dialysis project is unique to the area since it is adjacent to a nursing home. According to Dr. Shahata, many nursing homes cannot offer dialysis services due to the time, frequency, and transportation costs. The new 7,000-square-foot facility will house 12 dialysis stations, with one isolation station, and will treat approximately 60 patients a week. The total cost from start to finish is $3.5 million. Littauer anticipates being in the test phase by Dec. 1, and being open for dialysis by Jan. 1, 2017. “This is the right project, at the right time, with the right partners,” confirmed Kelly.From left: Leslie Beadle, Vice President, Administrator/NLH Nursing Home; Geoff Peck, Executive Director, Nathan Littauer Foundation; Laurence E. Kelly, President and CEO, Nathan Littauer Hospital & Nursing Home; Dr. Irina Gelman, director of the Fulton County Public Health Department; Dr. Soo Lee, American Renal Association; Jean Wilkinson, Littauer Auxiliary; Brian Hanaburgh, Chairman, Littauer Board of Directors; Janine Dykeman, Board Chair, Nathan Littauer Foundation and Mark Kilmer, President, Fulton Montgomery Regional Chamber of CommerceLaurence E. Kelly, President and CEO, Nathan Littauer Hospital & Nursing Home, left, together with Dr. Soo Lee, American Renal Association stand together on the new dialysis center construction site in Gloversville
Littauer expansion will temporarily move providers Posted on June 14, 2016 by Dakota PikeGLOVERSVILLE – Nathan Littauer Hospital is pleased to announce the renovation and expansion of their Gloversville Medical Arts Building. The offices, located at 99 E. State St. on the hospital’s first floor will be temporarily moved to accommodate the construction. The following providers will be assigned to temporarily practicing at other Littauer Primary & Specialty Center as indicated:David Pesses, MD, will be at Johnstown Primary & Specialty Care, phone 775-4201James Vacek, MD, will be at Johnstown Primary & Specialty Care, phone 775-4201Rainer Feyer, PA, will be at Caroga Lake Primary & Specialty Care, phone 835-2341Crystal Baker, PA, will be at Perth Primary & Specialty Care, 883-8620 “We anticipate this transition will go smoothly, and the project will produce optimal results for our patients,” stated Littauer Vice President of Marketing and Communications Cheryl McGrattan. “We expect the new offices to be completed by fall.” Please contact your provider with any questions.
Littauer Primary Care has weekend hours Posted on June 14, 2016 by Dakota PikeSummer is here, and because illness and injury can happen any time, Nathan Littauer Hospital Primary Care offers weekend hours. On Saturdays and Sundays, you can trust your healthcare with the providers you already know and trust. Weekend hours are available from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. both days at Littauer’s Primary Care Center located at 99 E. State St., in Gloversville. For questions or an appointment, please call 773-5690.
