Nathan Littauer Featured in International Publication Posted on February 7, 2014February 7, 2014 by Dakota PikeNathan Littauer Hospital and the special relationship we have created with Dr. Jian Shen was recently featured in the prestigious Orthopedic Weekly Magazine. The entire article can be found here: 12 2013 BY Trust Wins Star For Rural Hospital
Nathan Littauer robotic acquisition makes The Wall Street Journal Posted on July 19, 2013 by Dakota PikeAs reported by the Wall Street Journal June 27, 2013Nathan Littauer Hospital Acquires Mazor Robotics’ Renaissance SystemCAESAREA, Israel–(BUSINESS WIRE)–June 27, 2013–Mazor Robotics Ltd. (TASE: MZOR; NASDAQCM: MZOR), a developer of innovative surgical robots and complementary products, today announced that Nathan Littauer Hospital, located in Gloversville, NY, has purchased its first Renaissance system. Nathan Littauer provides the finest in state-of-the-art technology and a caring, dedicated staff of health care professionals to the residents of Fulton County (NY) and the surrounding communities. Nathan Littauer, as an independent community hospital has a history of being an early adopter of new, therapeutic technologies.“Littauer’s experience in minimally invasive surgery under Dr. Jian Shen just made history by acquiring this new technology for our grateful community.” stated Laurence E. Kelly Nathan Littauer Hospital’s President and CEO. “Dr. Shen has performed many ground-breaking surgeries at Nathan Littauer. This system is a tool in our minimally-invasive arsenal created for patients who suffer from debilitating spine pain. However, it is our team, with Dr. Shen at the helm that makes Littauer unique.”“This is another key endorsement of our Renaissance system and further reflects the continued momentum we are experiencing in the northeastern U.S. market,” commented Ori Hadomi, Chief Executive Officer. “Within just the past few days we have installed our first two systems in New York, so we will be entering the second half of 2013 with momentum and a wider installed footprint in the northeastern U.S. This is an encouraging development, and it clearly demonstrates, both from a clinical and an economic proposition, that surgeons and hospital administrators are seeing the advantages of using our Renaissance systems.”Dr. Jian Shen, who will be performing the surgeries, agreed stating, “I am pleased to bring this minimally invasive surgical approach to Nathan Littauer Hospital and the Upstate New York region. “Ultimately it is the patient who will benefit. Time and time again, that is where my focus lies — to create outstanding outcomes for my patients.”Renaissance, Mazor Robotics’ next generation surgical guidance system for spine procedures, is transforming spine surgery from freehand operations to highly-accurate, state-of-the-art guided procedures that raise the standard of care with better clinical results. Renaissance system has been used to perform thousands of procedures worldwide (with over 35,000 implants placed in those procedures) in a wide variety of spinal procedures, many of which would not have been attempted without this technology.About MazorMazor Robotics (TASE: MZOR; NASDAQCM: MZOR) is dedicated to the development and marketing of innovative surgical robots and complementary products that provide a safer surgical environment for patients, surgeons, and operating room staff. Mazor Robotics’ flagship product, Renaissance(TM), is a state-of-the-art surgical robotic system that enables surgeons to conduct spine surgeries in an accurate and secure manner. Mazor Robotics systems have been successfully used in the placement of over 35,000 implants in the United States and Europe. Numerous peer-reviewed publications and presentations at leading scientific conferences have validated the accuracy, usability, and clinical advantages of Mazor Robotics technology. For more information, please visit www.mazorrobotics.com.About Nathan LittauerNathan Littauer Hospital and Nursing Home is a full-service, 74 bed acute care hospital with an 84 bed skilled nursing home. For 118 years, 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.
Robotic Spine Surgery: The Future Is Here Posted on July 19, 2013July 19, 2013 by Dakota PikeAs reported by WAMC Northeast Public Radio, Monday July 15, 2013By Dave Lucas Credit Nathan Littauer HospitalSome of the Littauer Surgical Team, pictured with Dr. Shen and the new technology. ListenA small Fulton County Hospital is on its way to becoming a major destination for patients in need of back surgery.Nathan Littauer Hospital in Gloversville has purchased and received its first Renaissance Robotic System, a groundbreaking technology offering new hope for patients suffering from debilitating spine pain.Renaissance is the only FDA approved surgical guidance system for spine surgeries, which will be performed by Dr. Jian Shen, who is responsible for bringing the technology to Gloversville.One of Dr. Shen’s patients, WAMC President and CEO Alan Chartock,went under the knife on a Monday and back to work early Tuesday morning. Chartock says Dr. Shen is looking to find and train an associate to assist him in performing spine surgery. Read more…
Clinic Offered to Children to Avoid Backpack Injury Posted on August 30, 2011August 16, 2012 by Dakota PikeLittauer Brings Medical Professionals to the YMCA to Teach Back to School Safety: Avoiding Backpack InjuryLittauer hosts backpack safety clinic for back to school season.During this back to school season, Nathan Littauer Hospital is hoping parents consider the safety of their children’s spine as they pack up their child’s backpack.Injuries due to overstuffed backpacks are on the rise. While backpacks are practical, there are many safety tips that should be followed to ensure optimal safety. Did you know:According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons nearly 30,000 Americans were treated for injuries stemming from improper backpack use in 2010. The most common complaints included joint dislocations, strains, sprains and bone fractures. Approximately ½ of all American school children carry too much weight in their backpack. Between 30-50% of adolescents complain of pain directly related to the use of backpacks. Therefore, Nathan Littauer Hospital and the Fulton County YMCA are partnering to teach backpack safety. The free backpack safety clinic is designed for children and/or parents. It is a drop in event and no appointment is needed. Dr. Jian Shen an Orthopedic Surgeon at Nathan Littauer and Bill Oates a Physical Therapist also from Littauer will be on hand to teach backpack safety. They will calculate the correct amount a child should carry and teach exercises to strengthen core muscles. Each participant will bring home some safety tips and a personalized card.Participants can also:• Ask questions about spine health for any family member.WHO:Nathan Littauer Hospital and the Fulton County YMCA.WHAT:A FREE Back to School Backpack Safety Clinic. Drop-in, group instruction at 30 minute intervals.WHEN:Wednesday August 31, 2011 at 04-6pm Eastern Time (US & Canada)WHERE:213 Harrison Street Johnstown, New York 12095 CONTACT: Cheryl McGrattan 332-2505.Dr. Shen will lead the Backpack Safety Clinic at the YMCA• Adults can weigh their handbag, backpack, briefcase, computer bag, etc.• Ask questions about scoliosis
LITTAUER WELCOMES DR. JIAN SHEN Posted on August 6, 2011August 16, 2012 by Dakota PikeFellowship-trained Orthopedic Surgeon Dr. Jian Shen joins LittauerSan Francisco physician brings minimally-invasive spine surgery to area Dr. Jian Shen at Nathan LittauerNathan Littauer Hospital is pleased to welcome Jian Shen, MD, PhD to their medical staff. Dr. Shen is practicing with Dr. Russell Cecil and Dr. Gerald Ortiz at Littauer’s new Johnstown Surgery Center. “This is a major announcement for our region.” stated Wally Hart, President of the Fulton County Chamber of Commerce who met Dr. Shen at a recent reception. He added, “It means a lot to our region to have this cutting-edge expertise here.” Laurence E. Kelly Littauer’s President and CEO agreed noting, “Dr. Shen could have chosen to practice anywhere in the country. And he is coming directly from the University here to our community.” He added, “To have him treating people at Littauer is an enormous boon to the people who suffer with pain in our region.” Dr. Shen arrived a few days ago from the University of San Francisco. He explained his reason to come here as, “I chose to practice here because I want to bring cutting-edge spine care from big academic centers to this community.” He added, “I am very happy with the choice I made, I feel like I can do more here.” He added, “The staff at Littauer is top-notch.”Dr. Shen offers complete spine careDr. Shen offers complete spine care to people who suffer with spine problems. He is versed in minimally-invasive and complex spine surgery. He has already completed New York State’s first Endoscopic Cervical Sine Surgery at Littauer. As an orthopedic surgeon, he is well-versed in non operative (including spinal injections) and operative treatment of all spine conditions for people of all ages. He also can address back pain, neck pain, sciatica, leg, shoulder and arm pain caused by spine problems. While surgery is not indicated for every patient, Dr. Shen is also able to provide non-surgical therapies as well. He explained, “If I can get the patient better using non-surgical techniques like ESI (Epidural Spine Injections) or physical therapy I am very happy.”Dr. Shen’s main expertise has been on minimally invasive decompression/fusion surgery, as well as complex deformity/scoliosis and revision spine surgery. Minimally invasive and endoscopic spine surgery is a technique that allows the surgeon to perform an operation that normally is done via a large midline incision. This type of surgery uses a much smaller incision, allowing for significantly less tissue damage and quicker recovery.“He has a stellar background.” stated Hospital Spokesperson Cheryl McGrattan. After getting a PhD in basic science research in Pharmacology, Dr. Shen went on and finished his medical school education at Cornell University Medical College in New York City, New York. After a surgical internship at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, he completed an orthopedic surgery residency at Wake Forest University Medical Center in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Dr. Shen went on to finish a spine surgery fellowship from 2010 to 2011 at UCSF Medical Center in San Francisco, California. He also has earned many accolades including: The Gold Medal, Residents’ and Fellows’ Research Day, Wake Forest University Medical Center, The Basil M. Boyd, MD Memorial Resident Award, 24th Annual Oscar Miller Day Symposium the Katherine Wolcott Walker Resident Research Award, Orthopaedic Research and Education Foundation (OREF) and the Academic Achievement Award, Wake Forest University Medical Center among others. In the coming years, Dr. Shen hopes to create a Spine Center of Excellence in the Adirondacks.Dr. Shen speaks to Fulton County President, Wally Hart at a Littauer receptionHospital staff, board members and community members met Dr. Shen on Monday August 1, 2011 at a special reception. “Many people are commenting on how personable he is.” said Ms. McGrattan. One Littauer staff person said upon meeting him, “What a brilliant man. He is the type of man I could listen to for hours. He truly knows his stuff! Very personable and an awesome asset to our hospital family!” Patients agree. A trauma patient who broke a vertebra in a recent car accident saw Dr. Shen this week and reported, “He was a very caring physician who was very empathetic to what I was going through.”Dr. Shen explains that one of his reasons he came to this area is because his goal is to “interact personally with each patient, so they do not feel like a number”. He said, “Practicing at Littauer allows me to do that. I cannot say enough good things about the staff at Littauer.” He concluded, “I want to practice traditional medicine- where the patient receives individualized care and gets my full attention. Yet, I can use cutting-edge technologies to treat all their spinal conditions.” Laurence E. Kelly states, “With Dr. Shen’s arrival, we now say, ‘Spines everywhere can rejoice’”.The hospital plans several outreach activities in the coming months. Patients who are experiencing spine problems are encouraged to contact his office at 773-4242. Further information can also be found at www.nlh.org.
