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.
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
NATHAN LITTAUER HOSPITAL PROJECTS AWARDED STATE SUPPORT THROUGH MOHAWK VALLEY REGIONAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL Posted on December 21, 2015 by Dakota PikeGLOVERSVILLE, 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. On Dec. 10, 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 on Dec. 12,” explained Kelly. He added, “We had a lot of good news this month.”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 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.More information about the announcement can be found at: https://www.ny.gov/sites/ny.gov/files/atoms/files/REDCAwardsBooklet2015.pdfXXXAbout Nathan Littauer Nathan Littauer Hospital and Nursing Home is a full-service, 74 bed acute care hospital with an 84 bed skilled nursing home. For 121 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 to offer health care that is comprehensive, accessible, and relevant to the needs of the communities they serve.
Wellness Words December 2015 Posted on December 8, 2015 by Dakota PikeHealthLink Littauer’sWELLNESS WORDSSubmitted by Carol Tomlinson, RN BSCommunity Health EducatorIt’s Your Life. Live It Well!Getting ready to make your New Year’s resolutions? According to the National Health Institute, by mid- February, 67% of these promises we make will no longer be a part of our daily lives. It’s not that we are weak willed – but more likely that we set ourselves up for failure by promising more than we can do.Research has shown the key to good health is what experts call “lifestyle medicine.” It is about making changes you can live with. It is much easier to ask your mind to accept and act on small modifications, rather than try to make giant leaps in changing our behavior.What is one area you would like to improve? You just need to pick one that is important to you. Here are some healthy lifestyle choices you may want to consider:Move MoreDon’t let limited or low level mobility stop you from making realistic goals. Get up and move when commercials come on, go for a walk, or take an exercise class for seniors. Many classes are gentle seated exercises designed to help with balance and prevent falls, as well as help you meet your exercise goals. Always check with your physician before starting anything new.Eat HealthySay ‘no’ to dieting. Instead, resolve to eat a more colorful diet. Aim for 3-5 servings of veggies each day. Sound like a lot? Try the “5 Meal Deal.” According to NIH, eating 5 smaller meals a day can help you to stay healthy and energized, and is more likely to include more servings of fruits and vegetables. Need more fiber? Try making a small change such as substituting whole grain for white bread to start.Drink More WaterIt is important to stay hydrated. Often we confuse fatigue and hunger with thirst. As we age, the sensation of thirst declines but the need to stay hydrated remains. Try keeping a small bottle of water with you wherever you are. Take frequent sips.Get a Good Night’s SleepSleep is essential to health. If you have trouble sleeping, try one or more of these small changes. Don’t eat a large meal within 3 hours of going to bed. Set a routine time for going to sleep and waking each day. Stay away from TV, phone and computers for at least a half-hour before going to bed. Try different relaxation techniques such as deep even breathing. Count your blessings instead of sheep.YOU hold the key to a healthier life! To make the changes you want remember to start small, be specific, and check yourself regularly to see if any changes need to be made to keep you going toward your goal.Remember: It’s Your Life. Live it Well!If you need help getting started or continuing on toward your goal, call HealthLink Littauer at 736-1120. You can e-mail us at healthlink@nlh.org, see our website at nlh.org, or visit our NEW wellness center at 2 Colonial Court in downtown Johnstown, Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. We’re your community health & wellness service of Nathan Littauer Hospital and Nursing Home.
