NATHAN LITTAUER HOSPITAL PROJECTS AWARDED STATE SUPPORT THROUGH MOHAWK VALLEY REGIONAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL Posted on February 15, 2016 by Dakota PikeDecember 11, 2015“We had a lot of good news in December”GLOVERSVILLE, N.Y. – Nathan Littauer Hospital & Nursing Home’s goal of delivering dialysis care and expanding their primary care footprint is getting closer to becoming a reality. In December, when Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced the 2015 Regional Economic Development Council Awards, several important projects for Nathan Littauer Hospital & Nursing Home (NLH) were awarded critical support from New York State. The hospital is slated to receive $740,000 from Empire State Development (ESD) to expand its primary care services and to contribute towards the cost of building a dialysis care facility. The funds will help offset the significant investment the hospital is making to bring the projects to fruition.The hospital submitted Consolidated Funding Applications (CFA) to the Mohawk Valley Regional Economic Development Council and ESD earlier this year with two goals in mind: to expand primary care and to provide comprehensive renal health care at Nathan Littauer’s Hospital campus. In addition to the dialysis center, two applications were submitted in response to the burgeoning demand for Littauer’s primary care.Laurence E. Kelly, Nathan Littauer’s CEO and President stated, “Primary care is vital to our population health goals. We have a hugely successful primary care practice spanning almost 50 miles. It is a formula we would like to replicate for underserved communities.” One such goal is to build a new Primary and Specialty Care Center in the village of Fonda.“The Certificate of Need for our Fonda project was approved,” explained Kelly. He added, “We had a lot of good news in December.”The renal dialysis care center, when completed, will provide critical access to dialysis care in Fulton, Montgomery and Hamilton counties and the surrounding rural communities. “With the prevalence of kidney disease in our area the center will fill an important need,” said Kelly.Geoff Peck, Vice President and Executive Director of the Nathan Littauer Foundation stated, “Traveling long distances to receive primary care and in particular, dialysis care is not only a financial burden it is also an emotional and physical burden on our patients and their families. Kidney failure disproportionally afflicts minorities and the disposed.” He concluded, “So this project is wonderful for the community because it will drastically improve the quality of life of our neighbors.”In August, Littauer announced a relationship with American Renal Associates, LLC (ARA), a national provider of outpatient dialysis services and nephrology care and two local physicians Hani Shahata, M.D. and Soo Gil Lee, M.D. The new center will be one of the few dialysis centers with direct access to a nursing home and a hospital. New York State approved the Certificate of Need for the project this fall.“It is exciting to think of the lives that will improve with these projects,” said Kelly. “Thursday’s announcement by the Governor is a wonderful endorsement of that vision.”“Nathan Littauer is grateful to Governor Andrew M. Cuomo, Empire State Development, Mohawk Regional Economic Development Council and the Fulton County Planning Department,” said Kelly.
Littauer presents check to Make-A-Wish Northeast New York Posted on February 15, 2016 by Dakota PikeDecember 15, 2015GLOVERSVILLE – The Nathan Littauer Hospital & Nursing Home’s Courtesy Counsel annual Holiday Basket raffle raised $5500 for Make-A-Wish Northeast New York this year. The donation remains local for a medically eligible child.Over 20 baskets were donated from departments throughout the hospital and nursing home. “The employees here at Nathan Littauer are very giving and willing to help their community” said Moshgan Jones, NLH Courtesy Counsel Chairperson. “Each department is so creative.” “Every year we support a local community non-profit organization, and typically raise over $5000,” said Jones. “We are thrilled that Make-A-Wish gives back so greatly to those in our community. This means the world to our employees.”For the third year in a row, the NLH Courtesy Counsel has partnered with Make-A-Wish Northeast New York. In the course of two and a half days on Dec. 9, 10 and 11, 2015 employees and guests of NLH contributed $5500 to the fundraiser.Receiving the check for Make-A-Wish Northeast New York was the foundation’s Director of Philanthropy, Margot Anderson along with the Director of Finance Eryn Foster. Anderson told the crowd gathered at the celebration, “Know that you are bringing hope, strength, and joy to a special child with this generous donation.” Adding, “We can’t thank you enough for your generosity and this money will be used locally to make a child’s wish come true.”Make-A-Wish grants the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy. Since 1987, Make-A-Wish Northeast New York has granted over 1,500 wishes in the 518 area code and currently grants 90 to 100 wishes each year.
Littauer hosts PTech students Posted on February 15, 2016 by Dakota PikeDecember 2, 2015 (Pathways in Technology Early College High School) students, a part of HFM BOCES, visited Littauer on Dec. 2. They received an extensive overview of health care career options and were taken on a hospital tour. The 50 ninth grade students met with various Littauer administrators and staff and were able to explore a number of career choices in the health care field. The tour included departments such as Diagnostic Imaging, Cardio/Pulmonary Rehab, Physical Therapy Rehab, the hospital lab and a visit with Mazor Robitics.
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.
