Orthopedic spine surgeon, Joseph Popper, MD, welcomed at Littauer Posted on October 3, 2017October 3, 2017 by Dakota PikeNathan Littauer Hospital & Nursing Home proudly announces the addition of Dr. Joseph E. Popper, Orthopedic Spine Surgeon as one of their latest privileged providers. Dr. Popper is joining doctors: Shen, Cecil, and Ortiz at Mohawk Valley Orthopedics.“We are pleased to have Dr. Popper join Littauer,” said Littauer CEO and President, Laurence E. Kelly. “His expertise will improve the quality of life for so many of our patients.”Dr. Popper is an Orthopedic Spine Surgeon specializing in the comprehensive treatment of the neck, back, and spine. He has completed a combined Neurosurgical and Orthopedic Spine Surgery Fellowship at the world-renowned Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota. He is a specialist in cervical spine surgery and minimally-invasive lumbar procedures.“I have been here and I have been highly impressed with the quality of care model Nathan Littauer provides,” said Dr. Popper.You can schedule an appointment with Dr. Popper at Littauer by calling the Mohawk Valley Orthopedics PC, located at 135 S. Kingsboro Ave., Johnstown or call (518) 773-4242.Dr. Joseph Popper
Nathan Littauer awarded $2.9M Posted on September 21, 2017September 21, 2017 by Dakota PikeA story by Kerry Minor in the Leader Herald:Nathan Littauer awarded $2.9MJuly 31, 2017GLOVERSVILLE — Nathan Littauer Hospital has been awarded $2.9 million in funds from the state as a part of the Statewide Health Care Facility Transformation Program.Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo announced $13.9 million to support three projects that will protect and transform the Mohawk Valley’s health care system.The funds are a part of the $491 million in funding being awarded to improve patient care through the development of high-quality medical facilities and programs serving the inpatient, primary care, mental health, substance use disorder and long-term care needs of communities throughout New York state.“Now, more than ever, we need to protect health care in New York and ensure the system in place is meeting the needs of current and future generations of New Yorkers,”Cuomo said in a news release. “While others seek to decimate our hospitals and reduce access to quality healthcare, we are investing to help ensure a stronger, healthier New York for all.”The $2,995,689 award for Nathan Littauer is to “design, construct, and equip a new primary and specialty care facility on the hospital campus to improve access to care.”According to a news release from Nathan Littauer, the hospital will be utilizing the monies to design, construct, and equip a new primary and specialty care facility on the hospital campus to improve access to care.“This grant will help our transformation as we evolve from a hospital into a health network” said Laurence E. Kelly, Littauer’s president and CEO in a news release. “Our community benefits when our hospital is strong and growing. As a small, independent, rural hospital we are in the unique position of expanding despite the changing dynamics in healthcare. And we are growing without losing our local roots.”Nathan Littauer is investing in primary and specialty care to improve access caused by burgeoning patient needs. The proposed facility will add capacity while filling a regional void. The hospital will begin the first phase of the plan this summer.“We are grateful to Gov. Cuomo for his steadfast commitment to rural health. His vision to fortify hospitals while others seek to dismantle healthcare should be lauded by every New Yorker. His vision to improve access to quality healthcare mirrors Littauer’s mission,”said Kelly in the release.Nathan Littauer’s Board President, Brain Hanaburgh said, “Nathan Littauer is vital to our community. This grant will ensure our legacy of care will endure for many generations to come.”Assemblyman Marc Butler said of the news: “Community hospitals are vitally important to the care and health of residents in counties like Fulton County. It is wonderful news that the Nathan Littauer Hospital will be receiving a nearly $3 million grant from the New York State Department of Health to begin design of a new Primary/Specialty Care Center. The center provides services in a wide variety of practices from internal medicine, women’s health, pediatric, occupational medicine and many more. I am pleased to have voted in favor of this grant program to support the modernization of this important hospital to benefit the people of Mohawk Valley.”Kerry Minor can be reached at kminor@leaderherald.com.
Sandy LaFountain honored as Littauer’s Goodwill recipient Posted on September 21, 2017 by Dakota PikeLittauer second-quarter Goodwill Award recipient Environmental Services Supervisor, Sandy LaFountain, with Littauer President and CEO Laurence E. KellyNathan Littauer Hospital & Nursing Home honored Environmental Services Supervisor, Sandy LaFountain, with the 2017 second-quarter Goodwill Award. LaFountain works at Nathan Littauer Hospital, but takes a special interest in the care of the Nursing Home. She was presented the award by Littauer President and CEO, Laurence E. Kelly before a gathering of Littauer staff.“Sandy goes above and beyond her responsibilities to make Littauer a better place,” said Kelly. “Thank you for the positive image you project.”Endless examples of LaFountain’s fine character were provided by her department, justifying her honor as a Goodwill recipient.LaFountain graciously accepted the award.Recipients for the award are nominated by NLH employees, providers or patients and submitted to the Goodwill Committee. They are selected in a blind format.LaFountain received a plaque and a check along with her special honor
Littauer celebrates World Breastfeeding Week with an event on Aug. 2 Posted on July 26, 2017 by Dakota PikeThe Birthing Center at Nathan Littauer Hospital, together with Lactation Consultant Nancy Quinlan, RN, IBCLC is celebrating World Breastfeeding Week, (Aug. 1 through 7), with a special event for families. On Aug. 2, from 6 to 8 p.m., Littauer will host a special evening for lactation supporters, new or expectant moms with their families. The event will be held at the Littauer Surgical Center, located in the hospital at 99 E. State St., in Gloversville. Refreshments will be served and mothers are welcome to share their stories and socialize.“This is Littauer’s way of reaching out to the community to celebrate the wellness breastfeeding offers new babies and mothers,” said Cheryl McGrattan, Littauer VP of Marketing and Communication.The theme for 2017 World Breastfeeding Week (WBW) has been announced: Sustaining Breastfeeding Together. ILCA is partnering with organizations to promote the role that breastfeeding plays in valuing our wellbeing. The Birthing Center at Littauer supports Sustaining Breastfeeding Together.For further information about the event, or to schedule a consultation, call Nancy Quinlan at (518) 775-4101.Littauer Lactation Consultant Nancy Quinlan, RN, IBCLC serving cake at last year’s World Breastfeeding Week Celebration at NLH
Littauer is designated an ACR Lung Cancer Screening Center Posted on July 26, 2017 by Dakota PikeNew lung cancer screening at Littauer can save lives– Nathan Littauer Hospital & Nursing Home has been designated a Lung Cancer Screening Center by the American College of Radiology (ACR).The ACR Lung Cancer Screening Center designation is a voluntary program that recognizes facilities that have committed to practice safe, effective diagnostic care for individuals at the highest risk for lung cancer.“It has been scientifically proven that early detection saves lives,” states Littauer’s Chief of Radiology, Dr. John Mastrangelo. “This low-dose lung screening has so much potential, and is a life-saving technology we are using here at Littauer.”According to Dr. Mastrangelo, the benefits of the low-dose chest CT allows for earlier detection identifying questionable sites that are overlooked by x-rays. Earlier detection allows for better treatment options and a better chance of survival.“It’s good to know we have an exceptionally skilled staff here at Littauer and we work well together as a team,” continues Dr. Mastrangelo. “Low-dose chest CT’s are saving lives on a daily basis and the scan takes about ten seconds.”No one understands this better than Priscilla Person, Littauer’s diagnostic imaging office coordinator, who lost two close family members to lung cancer. Person has been a proponent of the low-dose lung screening and instrumental in advocating for this service, bringing its importance to the forefront at Littauer.“They were exhibiting no symptoms,” said Person. “By the time they were screened, it was too late and they only survived for weeks after their diagnosis.”In order to receive this elite distinction, facilities must be accredited by the ACR in computed tomography in the chest module, as well as undergo a rigorous assessment of its lung cancer screening protocol and infrastructure. Also required are procedures in place for follow-up patient care, such as counseling and smoking cessation programs.Lung cancer screening with low-dose computed tomography scans, and appropriate follow-up care, significantly reduces lung cancer deaths. In December 2013, the United States Preventive Services Task Force recommended screening of adults aged 55 to 80 years who have a 30 pack-year smoking history and currently smoke or have quit within the past 15 years. Lung cancer is the nation’s leading cancer killer – taking the lives of more people each year than breast, colon and prostate cancers combined.The ACR, founded in 1924, is one of the largest and most influential medical associations in the United States. The ACR devotes its resources to making imaging and radiation therapy safe, effective and accessible to those who need it. Its 36,000 members include radiologists, radiation oncologists, medical physicists, interventional radiologists and nuclear medicine physicians.For more information about the Lung Cancer Screening Center designation, visit: acr.org/Quality-Safety/Lung-Cancer-Screening-Center. To find out if you’re a candidate for low-dose lung cancer screening, call Littauer Diagnostic Imaging at (518) 773-5520.Priscilla Person, left, Littauer’s diagnostic imaging office coordinator and Donna Boswell, Littauer Senior CT Tech
