History and Health Care Posted on October 23, 2020March 5, 2021 by Dakota PikeA New Primary Care Center in Caroga LakeGLOVERSVILLE, NY – Caroga is a town steeped in history. According to the town’s comprehensive plan, the roaring 20s marked an increase of commercial activity, complete with swelling summer populations. After the establishment of the Caroga campgrounds, many developments would take place, further increasing the population of the town.In 1992, the town acquired the old Wheelerville School, which was originally constructed in 1856. Soon after, the town opened: municipal offices, a courtroom, a public meeting space, with a medical clinic for the public. It wasn’t until late 2005, when Nathan Littauer Hospital & Nursing Home would lease a portion of the municipal building, would the area finally welcome their first primary care office.Thursday, September 24, 2020, began Caroga Lake’s newest historic milestone.From left: Building architect, Fred Franko; with Hyman Hayes Associates, Vice President of Population Health and Executive Director of the Nathan Littauer Foundation, Geoffrey Peck, former President and CEO of Nathan Littauer Hospital & Nursing Home, Laurence E. Kelly, Supervisor of Town of Caroga, Scott Horton, Caroga Lake PCC Coordinator, Betsy Oathout, and Caroga Town Clerk, Linda Gilbert, break ground for the new Caroga Lake Primary Care Center.Nathan Littauer Hospital & Nursing Home proudly announced to the Town of Caroga Lake; the construction of a new, modern primary care center. The new center is approximately 1,350 square feet of space, and will be next to Caroga’s Town Hall, where the original primary care center was housed. A groundbreaking ceremony marked the expansion of primary care in Caroga with: the building architect, Fred Franko; with Hyman Hayes Associates, former President and CEO of Nathan Littauer Hospital & Nursing Home, Laurence E. Kelly, Vice President of Population Health and Executive Director of the Nathan Littauer Foundation, Geoffrey Peck, and the Supervisor of the Town of Caroga, Scott Horton.“It is exciting to work with Nathan Littauer Hospital & Nursing Home in our commitment to the community,” said Horton. “We appreciate Nathan Littauer Hospital and everything they have done for the area. This new Caroga Lake Primary Care Center is a boon, and it shows that the area of our town continues to grow. In turn, so is its need for great healthcare services.” “We continue to expand our services we provide in the Adirondack area, and we look forward to meeting new patients,” says Alison Townsend, Physician Assistant with Nathan Littauer. “We provide an invaluable service to the community members here, and I think our patients are really grateful for that. There’s a lot of history here. I am incredibly impressed with Nathan Littauer’s ability to expand healthcare services, so they are more accessible for people in the region.”
A Few Questions With Sean Fadale, Littauer’s New President and CEO Posted on August 19, 2020August 19, 2020 by Dakota PikeLittauer’s new President and CEO, Sean Fadale, walking into Littauer’s Intensive Care Unit (ICU).Starting this October, Sean Fadale will take his seat in the CEO’s office at Nathan Littauer Hospital & Nursing Home — and be just about 15 feet away from the intensive care unit.That proximity is a physical sign of one of the ways rural hospitals can be different from the sprawling the medical complexes in more urban areas.Fadale’s career to this point has included several stops at organizations similar to Nathan Littauer, a 74-bed acute care hospital and 84-bed skilled nursing home in Gloversville. Most recently, he was president and CEO of Community Memorial Hospital in Hamilton.Justin Dawes, a reporter with The Albany Business Review, spoke with Fadale about the role of rural hospitals and some of his main priorities during this time.Q: Why have you dedicated so much time to smaller, rural hospitals? A: I’ve spent the bulk of my career in rural health care. It is something that I have a great affinity for. There’s an opportunity at small organizations to be nimble, to be able to change course and trim our sails as necessary. The other thing I enjoy about it is that as a leader of the organization, I’m close to the employees and I’m close to the patients.Health care is a tough business, and that’s the reality of it — health care is a business. Knowing that each year we’re going to be reimbursed a little bit less for what we do and everything’s going to cost us a little bit more, we have to make sure that we are making the best decisions with the resources we have and still produce the best outcomes for our patients, at a low cost.Q: How important would you say the role of a rural hospital is to the community it serves? A: Without the hospital and our primary care centers, there may be people without local access to care. I think something that is critically important for rural health care organizations is that we’re a major employer in the area. So we are an economic engine for the community because we are a primary employer.Q: The White House recently issued an executive order on “improving rural health and telehealth access.” What are your initial thoughts on that and on telehealth in general? A: There are many organizations that need the legislative help, that need funding to be viable organizations for the future because COVID-19 has really wreaked havoc on organizations across New York state. So any legislative support from the New York state or federal governments will be usually beneficial.Telemedicine is something that’s going to be very important for organizations across the country, especially for rural health care. Telemedicine is another access point for our patients. It is absolutely something we have to continue to explore. When you look at rural health care, one of the things that you quickly realize is that transportation becomes an enormous issue.Q: What do you think your first move will be as Nathan Littauer continues to navigate the pandemic? A: For any organization, we have to make sure we have the best policies and procedures in place to keep our staff and our patients healthy; that we have enough PPE to handle a potential second wave or third wave; and that we are ready to tackle flu season when it comes. There may be things we need to figure out, but from everything that I’ve seen, they’re doing a great job here caring for their patients and caring for their staff.Click here to read Littauer’s announcement of Sean Fadale as the organization’s new President and CEO.
Littauer Announces New President and CEO! Posted on August 17, 2020August 20, 2020 by Dakota PikeGLOVERSVILLE, N.Y. – The Board of Directors of Nathan Littauer Hospital & Nursing Home has named Sean M. Fadale, MBA, FACHE, of Hamilton, N.Y., as the organization’s new President and CEO, effective Oct. 5, 2020. Fadale will take on the role held by Littauer’s current President and CEO of nearly 20 years, Laurence E. Kelly, who announced his retirement in early January.An early morning view outside of Nathan Littauer Hospital & Nursing Home.Nathan Littauer Hospital & Nursing Home Board President Gregory Truckenmiller, Ph.D., made the announcement, saying:I am thrilled to welcome Sean Fadale as the organization’s new President and CEO. We are very fortunate to have someone of Sean’s expertise lead Nathan Littauer Hospital & Nursing Home into the future. He brings a wealth of strategic knowledge to Littauer, and a strong sense of financial responsibility, which were two incredibly important criteria in our selection process. The selection committee was impressed by his intelligence and his record of focusing on quality patient care. After meeting with Sean, it became evident that he has a deep appreciation for the organization’s trajectory and mission critical projects. He exhibits compassion for patients with his expertise as a trained healthcare professional. Additionally, he has a successful background in leading a healthcare organization. I am confident Sean will continue to build on the solid foundation of Nathan Littauer Hospital and bring the organization to new levels of success.Since 2012, Fadale has served as the President and CEO of Community Memorial Hospital, a Crouse Health corporate partner located in Hamilton. Community Memorial Hospital was rated the only “five-star hospital” in the state by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services in 2018 for its high patient satisfaction. Additionally, Community Memorial Hospital’s orthopedics program has earned national and state recognition, and its total knee replacement program has earned a five-star rating for 11 consecutive years.With his strategic vision, Fadale planned and successfully executed the transformation of Community Memorial Hospital from a 36-bed acute care hospital to a 25-bed critical access hospital in 2013—2014. To do so, he engaged the New York State Department of Health and the organization’s board of directors, medical staff, and local leaders. This accomplishment added to the overall improvement of Community Memorial Hospital’s financial stability, saving $750,000 annually for the hospital.Fadale shared his enthusiasm about leading the organization:I am delighted with the board’s decision. It will be an honor to lead the organization as the new President and CEO. Thanks to Mr. Kelly’s leadership, Nathan Littauer has a track record of providing safe, high-quality health and wellness services to its community. I will ensure Nathan Littauer Hospital continues to do so. Now more than ever, it is important for hospitals to remain confident and strong during the course of this pandemic. I have no doubt that we have an incredible journey ahead of us, and I am sure that the leadership team, the medical staff and the staff will accomplish many great things together.Sean M. Fadale, MBA, FACHE, of Hamilton, N.Y., Nathan Littauer Hospital and Nursing Home’s new President and CEO.In 2007, Fadale was designated as a fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives, a prestigious distinction for those in the field. He was also recognized three times by inclusion on Becker’s Hospital Review’s list of “60 Rural Hospital CEOs to Know.”His prior leadership roles include serving as Vice President of Operations and Vice President of Business Development at Nicholas H. Noyes Memorial Hospital in Dansville, N.Y.; Director of Sports Medicine and Therapy Services for the Carle Foundation Hospital in Urbana, Ill.; and Corporate Director of Rehab Works and Home Healthcare Services at Warren General Hospital in Warren, Penn.Throughout his career, Fadale has focused on enhancing patient care services and improving clinical outcomes by creating partnerships with physicians and practicing strategic financial discipline.His career is rooted in healthcare. He earned his bachelor’s degree in sports medicine from Mercyhurst University, and both his master’s degrees – in physical therapy and business administration – from Gannon University. Beginning his career as a clinician and practicing as a physical therapist and athletic trainer provided him with valuable insights about the demands of balancing patient care, operational priorities, and strategic initiatives.Fadale is involved in several professional and community organizations, serving as an executive board member for the Iroquois Healthcare Association, a member of the Rural Health Council for the American Hospital Association, and a board member of the Partnership for Community Development in Hamilton.The Board of Directors of Nathan Littauer Hospital & Nursing Home initiated a comprehensive nationwide search with AMN Healthcare to select its next leader.Kelly, who led Nathan Littauer Hospital & Nursing Home to success as an independent hospital, said:After nearly 20 years, I take great pride in this hospital and all we’ve accomplished. We need a leader who will continue to guide this hospital on its path toward sustained success and financial stability, someone with a keen eye toward patient care. It’s clear that Sean leads by example. He knows the advantages and the challenges of working in a small community hospital. I am confident in the board’s decision to appoint Sean as my successor, and I am certain he will do well.In his new role, Fadale will be responsible for facilitating the hospital’s financial, operational, and strategic performance. He will oversee all management staff at Littauer, ensuring the organization’s priorities, goals, and community objectives are achieved.Fadale currently resides in Hamilton with his wife, Stephanie, and their two sons, JT and Colin. He plans on relocating to the area in the coming months.___________________________________________##About Nathan LittauerNathan Littauer Hospital & Nursing Home is a full-service, 74-bed acute care hospital with an 84-bed skilled nursing home. Since 1894, Nathan Littauer has provided safe, high-quality health and wellness services with a focus on securing appropriate new technologies for people residing in Upstate New York. Over the years, the hospital has expanded its services in order to offer healthcare that is comprehensive, accessible, and relevant to the needs of the communities it serves. More information can be found by visiting www.nlh.org.
Johnstown Area Volunteer Ambulance Corps INC. Generously Donates to Nathan Littauer Posted on May 21, 2020May 21, 2020 by Dakota PikeGLOVERSVILLE, NY – Last month, 2020, Johnstown Area Volunteer Ambulance Corps INC. (JAVAC) made a $25,000.00 donation to Nathan Littauer Hospital & Nursing Home. The donation was made to aid the hospital in our fight against the Coronavirus pandemic. Included with JAVAC’s donation was a letter that stated:“This donation is to be used towards the purchase of a ventilator and/or supplies needed for the hospital to fight the battle against the COVID-19 pandemic . . . on behalf of JAVAC, thank you and your staff for the support during a very difficult time. We hope this donation will make a difference in the treatment of COVID-19 patients now, and in the future.”Two ambulances outside of the JAVAC Center.Nathan Littauer Hospital & Nursing Home is extremely grateful for all donations given to the organization. Executive Director of the Nathan Littauer Foundation, Geoffrey Peck explains:“JAVAC’s volunteer and paid staff displayed selfless community commitment for decades. As a chapter of area history closes, JAVAC once again has served our community by helping Littauer fight the COVID-19 virus.”Donations can be made to Nathan Littauer Hospital by contacting the Nathan Littauer Hospital Foundation Coordinator, Kelly Colby, at: (518) 773-5505. You may also make a contribution online by visiting the organization’s website at: https://www.nlh.org/givingXXXAbout Nathan LittauerNathan Littauer Hospital and Nursing Home is a full-service, 74 bed acute care hospital with an 84 bed skilled nursing home. Since 1894, Nathan Littauer has provided safe, high-quality health and wellness services with a focus on securing appropriate new technologies for people residing in Upstate New York. Over the years, the hospital has expanded its services in order to offer health care that is comprehensive, accessible, and relevant to the needs of the communities they serve. More information can be found by visiting www.nlh.org.
Nathan Littauer Hospital & Nursing Home Gifted $2 Million Dollars to Aid in Fight Against Coronavirus Posted on May 4, 2020May 4, 2020 by Dakota PikeNathan Littauer Hospital & Nursing Home received $2,048,000.00 in funding allocated by Health and Human Services (HHS) to combat the coronavirus (COVID-19), through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. Signed into law March 27, the legislation is designed to help rural hospitals like Nathan Littauer Hospital & Nursing Home.“Nathan Littauer would like to thank the efforts of the Department of Health and Human Services, Congresswoman Elise Stefanik, Senator Kirsten Gillibrand and Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer,” stated Michael Ostrander, Chief Financial Officer for Littauer. He added, “We are grateful people are looking out for rural hospitals like Littauer. Our response to COVID is encompassing and comprehensive employing a tremendous amount of resources. From a financial perspective, we have done everything we can to support our medical team. We will continue to do so. However, a response to a global pandemic was not a part of our strategic plan. The CARES act gives us a needed injection of capital to continue our fight.”Littauer believes the CARES Act is an important first step forward. However, we believe more will need to be done to support rural healthcare providers as we deal with the unprecedented challenge of this virus. We have endured unbudgeted healthcare related expenses and some lost revenues from halted elective surgeries. Many of our expenses are not reimbursed and are directly attributable to COVID-19. As we learn more about this virus, we understand we may still see a substantial patient surge of COVID positive patients.Our goal as an organization is to remain independent while we serve this unique community. Most importantly, this funding will help the patients we gratefully serve. We would like to thank all entities involved with the CARES Act as we do our important work during this pandemic.
