Littauer announces Paula Zemken 2015 Employee of the Year

Littauer announces Paula Zemken 2015 Employee of the Year

GLOVERSVILLE – Nathan Littauer Hospital & Nursing Home announces Paula Zemken, Office Coordinator Women’s Health as the 2015 Goodwill Employee of the Year. Zemken was nominated by her peers for this top honor for going above and beyond to help others every day. She has been a Littauer employee since 2003.

Littauer President and CEO Laurence Kelly made the announcement at a hospital-wide celebration praising Zemken stating, “She is an example of the best of the best.”

“I am very surprised and very, very honored” said Zemken.

Littauer has over 1000 employees and Paula Zemken was nominated by her peers for this top honor. She has a special way with our patients and our providers,” said Goodwill Committee Chairperson Brenda Hammons. “From helping to bring new life into this world, to promoting healthy lifestyles, Paula is someone we count on to get things done,” Hammons added.

In a blind format, the Goodwill Committee narrowed the scope to three finalists. First runner up honors went to Michelle Beckley, a Registered Nurse in Littauer’s Special Care Center and second runner up to Occupational Health Coordinator, Deb Perham.

Zemken received along with her honor Flowers, a cake, gift certificate, check, and the coveted year-long prime parking spot, and a plaque on Littauer’s Wall of Fame.

Paula Zemken, Littauer’s 2015 Goodwill Employee of the Year

Paula Zemken, Littauer’s 2015 Goodwill Employee of the Year

Littauer 2015 Gooedwill Award winners, Kelly Perham, left, standing in for second runner-up Deb Perham, 2015 Goodwill Employee of the Year Paula Zemken, and first runner-up Michelle Beckley

Littauer 2015 Gooedwill Award winners, Kelly Perham, left, standing in for second runner-up Deb Perham, 2015 Goodwill Employee of the Year Paula Zemken, and first runner-up Michelle Beckley

Littauer presents their first baby of 2016

GLOVERSVILLE – The Birthing Center at Nathan Littauer Hospital & Nursing Home announces the arrival of the first baby of the New Year 2016. Raymond Emile Meyer III, son of Brianna Perez of Gloversville and Raymond Emile Meyer II, was born at 8:26 a.m. on Jan. 2, 2016, weighing six pounds, seven ounces. He is the couple’s first child.

On Jan. 4, members of the Nathan Littauer Hospital & Nursing Home Auxiliary presented the couple with a gift of supplies and necessities worth over $350, a special presentation the auxiliary has done for over 30 years.

Seated is Littauer’s first baby of 2016, Raymond Emile Meyer III, held by his mother Briana Perez if Gloversville. Standing is NLH&H Auxiliary New Year Baby Chairman Anita Beck, left, Auxiliary President Norma Cozzolino, Joslyn Mitchell, Raymond Meyer II, and NLH Director of Volunteer Services Susan McNeil

Seated is Littauer’s first baby of 2016, Raymond Emile Meyer III, held by his mother Briana Perez if Gloversville. Standing is NLH&H Auxiliary New Year Baby Chairman Anita Beck, left, Auxiliary President Norma Cozzolino, Joslyn Mitchell, Raymond Meyer II, and NLH Director of Volunteer Services Susan McNeil

Extend-A-Hand program shares holiday joy

December 2015

Littauer employees became secret Santas to the residents in the nursing home. Each person in Littauer’s extended care facility opened a beautifully wrapped present on Christmas morn.
The Littauer team bought wonderfully adorned gifts for all 84 residents.
The annual “Extend-A-Hand” program is spearheaded by Director of Recreational Therapy, Rachel Johnson

rachel_hand

Hospital plans new primary care location along Thruway to serve residents — and truckers

Here’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.

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