Hospital plans new primary care location along Thruway to serve residents — and truckers Posted on February 15, 2016 by Dakota PikeHere’s a story from the Albany Business Review…The community hospital in Gloversville is looking to open its 10th outpatient location, Nathan Littauer Hospital & Nursing Home CEO Laurence E. Kelly said. The hospital is seeking state approval to build a $2.2 million extension clinic in Fonda, a small village about 15 minutes west of Amsterdam. There is a lack of health care services in the area and Montgomery County has a poverty rate for children of about 23 percent, Kelly said. “We looked at Fonda as a place that’s underserved that has a lot of health care need, so we thought this would be a great place to meet that community need,” Kelly said. Hospitals are working to get services closer to patients as government payers push for care in lower cost settings. Kelly also said the location would be ideal to provide services for truckers traveling along the Thruway or going northward to a distribution center in Johnstown. About 800 trucks each day will drive by the location on Main Street in Fonda, he said. Kelly said he’s planning to create an app so truck drivers could set up an appointment ahead of time for a check-up or an acute problem. “These guys and women don’t get good health care because they’re on the road a lot,” Kelly said. The clinic would be fairly close to St. Mary’s Healthcare in Amsterdam, which is a larger system providing services in Fulton and Montgomery counties that Nathan Littauer competes with. St. Mary’s has 130 beds and opened a new $17 million outpatient pavilion last month. While Kelly said the clinic would likely see a high volume of Medicaid patients, he said the hospital would have adult services, radiology and an obstetrician there. Referrals for testing, deliveries of babies and other services to the hospital would also drive revenue from the location. “We don’t think we’re going to lose money, we think we can break even or do a little better,” Kelly said. Kelly said the plan for a clinic is exploratory pending state approval. He said current plans call for a 5,400 square foot building with 30 parking spaces and that the land at 46-50 Main St. in Fonda is under contract for the hospital to purchase. The clinic would be staffed with 13 new full time employees, including two new doctors, Kelly said.
Friends of the Gloversville Public Library celebrate with Littauer’s Birthing Center Posted on February 15, 2016 by Dakota PikeGLOVERSVILLE – 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. Kendrick John Lee Ford was born on Sunday, Oct. 21 at 8:07 a.m., making him the gift recipient. He is the son of Alexis Ford of Gloversville. He joins a 3-year-old brother A’dante.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” Krawczeski said. “We hope these books will encourage a love of reading in the child and they will choose to visit our library,” she added.The gift is made available through library donations. Friends of the Gloversville Public Library Vice President Jean LaPorta, was also a presenter to the Ford family.Alexis Ford of Gloversville with her new born son Kendrick John Lee are the recipients of the Friends of the Gloversville Public Library gift basket at Littauer’s Birthing Center during National Friends of Libraries Week in October.
Sharing some warmth Posted on February 15, 2016 by Dakota PikeGLOVERSVILLE – For the fifth year in a row, employees of Nathan Littauer Hospital & Nursing Home have donated articles of winter clothing to families of need in Fulton County. Hundreds of winter coats, hats, mittens, gloves and scarves have been collected over the years, then professionally cleaned and distributed.This year 60 coats, 39 hats, 36 pairs of gloves/mittens and 10 scarves were collected and given to Century Linen & Uniform (formerly Robison & Smith) of Gloversville. The clothing will be cleaned and made available to local families.Ryan Baxter of Century Linens collects winter clothing donated by Littauer employees
Boulevard student art will adorn rooms at Littauer Nursing Home Posted on February 15, 2016 by Dakota PikeGLOVERSVILLE — Third-graders in Lisa Beerle’s art classes at Boulevard Elementary will soon have their artwork displayed at Nathan Littauer Nursing Home. The students recently learned about 20th century American painter Georgia O’Keeffe, who was best known for her bold floral canvases. Students then created their own watercolor flower paintings, which they donated to the nursing home to be displayed there. The Boulevard Elementary Parent Teacher Association provided the funds to buy frames for each of the 54 pieces of student art. Beerle said she thought a hospital-type environment would be a good match for the bright pieces. “I like to have students do something connected to the community, so their art has a life outside the school building,” Beerle said. Rachel Johnson, the director of recreational therapy at Nathan Littauer Nursing Home, said the art will be hung in the 52 patient rooms. “I thought it was very creative,” she said. “Residents love attention from kids, and this gives them something to enjoy that’s just for them.” Third-grader Payton Dow was thrilled their work would be displayed where people would appreciate it. “I think the paintings will be adored because we’ve done hard work on these,” she said. “I think the patients will feel really happy we put all this hard work into them.”Photo submittedBoulevard Elementary students, from left, Kendra Mitchell, Caelan Porter, Mahmoud Sbahi and Payton Dow were among the third-graders who created watercolor paintings that will be displayed at the Nathan Littauer Nursing Home.
Littauer announces Linda Fleming as third-quarter Goodwill employee Posted on February 15, 2016 by Dakota PikeGLOVERSVILLE – Littauer recently announced the 2015 third-quarter Goodwill Employee. Johnstown Decker Drive Primary/Specialty Care Center Office Coordinator Linda Fleming is the recipient.Littauer President and CEO Laurence E. Kelly said, “It takes all 1000 employees to do what we do, and it starts with the trusting relationships we establish as soon as our patients call or enter our facilities. They know they can trust us with small matters, and if the time ever comes, we have their trust in life’s bigger concerns.”Fleming is a 37-year Littauer employee. She has worked in several departments, but has been the office coordinator at the Decker Drive Primary/Specialty Care Center since 1995. In that role she has had contact with countless patients and co-workers.According to Kelly, Fleming has proven to be an exemplary employee. Co-workers nominated her for her dedication, kindness, caring smile, and knowledge.“She is the first to lend a helping hand to needy families, donating money, clothes and even food,” added Kelly.“I am truly honored,” said Fleming. “And it only took 37 years to get it,” she laughed.Recipients for the award are nominated by NLH employees, providers or patients and submitted to the Goodwill Committee. In a blind format they are selected.Fleming received a plaque and a check along with her special honor.Littauer Goodwill Award winner: Johnstown Decker Drive Primary/Specialty Care Center Office Coordinator, Linda Fleming
