Annual Tree of Lights program kicks off with a special reason for the season Posted on February 15, 2016 by Dakota PikeGLOVERSVILLE – The Nathan Littauer Hospital & Nursing Home Auxiliary annual Tree of Lights program was held Tuesday, Dec. 1, 2015 before a gathering of over 110 people in the Littauer Hospital lobby. Auxialian Rosanne Manuele, program co-chairman opened the ceremony saying, “This is a very special night and it means many different things to many people.”Littauer President and CEO Laurence Kelly added, “There is a reason we are all here this evening as we remember someone special. Everyone here has a story that goes with a light on the tree.”Auxialian and program co-chairman Donna Ellithorpe read a poem she composed for the evening and said, “Each of our loved ones is remembered with a light. It really touches our hearts.”Susan McNeil, Volunteer Director said, “The Auxiliary plans the evening, and in coordination with various Littauer departments, we bring this all together.” McNeil went on to say, “It’s a team effort all the way, and that’s what makes this night so beautiful.”Each guest was given a keepsake, 2015 dated ornament on behalf of the Auxiliary.Auxilians Barb Tucci and family decorated the Tree. The Pastoral Care Coordinator at Nathan Littauer Hospital and Nursing Home led the Blessing.
Mountain Valley Hospice recognizes caregivers Posted on February 15, 2016 by Dakota PikeFulton County Express:Thursday, November 12, 2015 By JOHN BORGOLINI Fulton County ExpressMAYFIELD — Mountain Valley Hospice’s 28th Annual Appreciation Celebration changed its program a little bit Friday night as all 10 candidates elected for the Gregory R. Hoye Award received the honor. Anne Marie Hoye, Gregory’s sister-in-law, said the committee decided that each nominee would receive the award in honor of the 10th Anniversary of the Nancy Dowd Home. “We gather this evening to celebrate and honor this year’s Hoye Award Winner — a caregiver who has demonstrated compassion and understanding, has given hope, support, encouragement in those in time of need,” Hoye said. “[These are] qualities that are so essential in providing end-of-life care.” Honorees included: Anita Allen of the Community Health Center; Ashley Duross of St. Mary’s Healthcare Center; Debra Henry of Nathan Littauer Hospital; Tammy Merendo of Nathan Littauer Hospital and Nursing Home; Melissa Stock of St. Mary’s Healthcare; Victor Giulianelli of St. Mary’s Healthcare; Julie Douglas, Stephanie Hathaway and Amanda Hershey of New York Oncology Hematology; Lynn Pawolski of the Adirondack Stretcher and Ambulette; Dr. James Vacek and Dr. Michael Schwartzman. Fulton County Sheriff-elect Richard Giardino welcomed everyone to the Paul Nigra Center for the Arts for the event where Nancy Buyce was posthumously honored with the Excellence Award and Jeanne Wilkinson was presented with the Community Partnership Award. Giardino also read a letter from Congresswoman Elise Stefanik who extended her gratitude for the efforts of everyone at Mountain Valley Hospice and everyone being honored Friday. Mountain Valley Board Chairman Jack Scott presented Buyce’s award to her family. “More than a job, Nancy’s career was her passion,” Scott said. “She devoted her labor to the dignity of those least able to exert those rights for themselves — the ill, the poor, the addicted, the bereaved, the abused, the dying. She undertook this endeavor from no high station in life.” He said Buyce played an important role in the local healthcare community and specifically with Mountain Valley Hospice, where she began Kidz Cope Camp, the Bereavement Volunteers and the Social Butterflies. Buyce was also honored with the Gregory R. Hoye award in 1994. Scott then spoke about Wilkinson and her achievements in hospice care. “She became a member of the board of Mountain Valley Hospice in January 2004 and continued helping where needed in the Hospice House as a family support volunteer,” Scott said. “She said she feels a sense of love and caring each time she enters the Hospice Home. We feel that love every time she comes here too. “She never comes empty handed, always bringing restaurant gift certificates to donate for our next event, or offering her time as a volunteer. Even though she is not on the board any longer she is still engaged as a volunteer and participating in the happenings of the organization, offering to help in any way,” he said. Wilkinson who was unable to attend the event, joined the celebration via telephone and thanked everyone for the recognition. In addition to the honorees, nine employees and volunteers were recognized at the event and given commemorative pins. Those honored included: Toni Bartholomew, Sally Christman, Bethany Condit, Shannon Davis, Jolene Klaas, Helen Myzal, Anne Marie LaVallee, Judy Pepper and Debra Szumoski.Photo by John BorgoliniTen caregivers were awarded the Gregory R. Hoye Award at Mountain Valley Hospice’s 28th Annual Appreciation Celebration Friday night at the Paul Nigra Center for Creative Arts.
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.
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.
