Sharing some warmth

Sharing some warmth

GLOVERSVILLE – For the fifth year in a row, employees of Nathan Littauer Hospital & Nursing Home have donated articles of winter clothing to families of need in Fulton County. Hundreds of winter coats, hats, mittens, gloves and scarves have been collected over the years, then professionally cleaned and distributed.

This year 60 coats, 39 hats, 36 pairs of gloves/mittens and 10 scarves were collected and given to Century Linen & Uniform (formerly Robison & Smith) of Gloversville. The clothing will be cleaned and made available to local families.

 Ryan Baxter of Century Linens collects winter clothing donated by Littauer employees

Ryan Baxter of Century Linens collects winter clothing donated by Littauer employees

Boulevard student art will adorn rooms at Littauer Nursing Home

GLOVERSVILLE — 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 submitted Boulevard 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.

Photo submitted
Boulevard 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.

Littauer announces Linda Fleming as third-quarter Goodwill employee

GLOVERSVILLE – 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

Littauer Goodwill Award winner: Johnstown Decker Drive Primary/Specialty Care Center Office Coordinator, Linda Fleming

Gloversville Lions Club donates to Littauer

GLOVERSVILLE – The Gloversville Lions Club donated two park benches to Nathan Littauer Hospital & Nursing Home. A formal presentation was made Thursday, Sept. 24, to Littauer President and CEO Laurence Kelly, and Littauer Foundation Executive Director Geoffrey Peck on the hospital’s walking track. Gloversville Lions Club President David J. Miller and Vice President Linda Rhinehart represented the organization. The Gloversville Lions Club supports many projects in the community. Two other benches are being donated to the City of Gloversville. The benches were purchased locally from Runnings.

Littauer President and CEO Laurence Kelly, Gloversville Lions Club VP Linda Rhinehart, Gloversville Lions Club President David J. Miller and Littauer Foundation Executive Director Geoffrey Peck on the Littauer walking track with donation

Littauer President and CEO Laurence Kelly, Gloversville Lions Club VP Linda Rhinehart, Gloversville Lions Club President David J. Miller and Littauer Foundation Executive Director Geoffrey Peck on the Littauer walking track with donation

NATHAN LITTAUER HOSPITAL PROJECTS AWARDED STATE SUPPORT THROUGH MOHAWK VALLEY REGIONAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL

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. 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.pdf

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About 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.