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.
Littauer’s Frederick Goldberg M.D. is featured nationally in medical publication Posted on August 31, 2015 by Dakota PikeThe findings of Nathan Littauer Hospital and Nursing Home’s Vice President, Medical Affairs & CMO Frederick Goldberg, MD, were published in Hospitals & Health Networks Daily, on August 25, 2015. The article “The One Tool You Need to Measure Patient Safety and Quality” is in H&HN Daily, a national publication available to subscribers globally via the online digital version and the website. You can share Dr. Goldberg’s findings at:http://www.hhnmag.com/Daily/2015/August/total-harm-rate-patient-saftey-qualityblog-linden-joshi?utm_source=daily&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=HHN&eid=257868649&bid=1160495Frederick Goldberg, MD – NLH Vice President, Medical Affairs & CMO
Sue Cridland receives the prestigious Ellen Burns Award Posted on August 27, 2015 by Dakota PikeLittauer’s Sue Cridland, RN, BSN, recently received the Ellen Burns Award by the Nursing Organization from Fulton, Montgomery and Schenectady counties.Sue Cridland was celebrated for her commitment to the community and to the field of nursing. She has led Littauer’s HealthLink since its inception 26 years ago. HealthLink is a regional health education center, delivering healthy programming and classes to our community.Littauer Vice President of Marketing and Communication Cheryl McGrattan said, “Under her guidance, HealthLink has grown to be a trusted resource for preventative health. Literally thousands of people have been touched by her limitless energy and informative classes. Sue is a devotee of prevention, and many have benefited from her special brand of care. Sue is always beyond kind to her patients. Her empathetic counseling leads with clinical excellence and finishes with gentle, but firm guidance.”Sue currently serves on various councils and community groups, and currently serves on the board of Catholic Charities.Sue Cridland’s career includes these milestones: • 32 years of service to Nathan Littauer Hospital • 25 years of service to HealthLink • 179,658 HealthLink attendees from 1989 to 2013 • 7,368 programs offered since its inception 1989 to 2013Littauer’s Sue Cridland, RN, BSN
Michelle Beckley, second-quarter Goodwill Award winner Posted on August 27, 2015 by Dakota PikeNathan Littauer Hospital & Nursing Home announced the 2015 second-quarter Goodwill Employee. Michelle Beckley, a registered nurse in Littauer’s Special Care Center, is the recipient.Laurence E. Kelly said, “Michelle exemplifies Littauer’s values every day and is the perfect fit for this honor.”Beckley has been employed at Littauer for almost 20 years, and her compassionate professionalism is the reason she was honored at the celebration.“I have seen the Goodwill Award given to so many incredible employees. I never thought it would be me,” said Beckley. “I was very surprised and honored.”Mr. Kelly touted Beckley’s kindness and understanding as a specialty care nurse. “What sets Michelle above and beyond is her genuine compassion. She even came in on her day off to check on a patient,” said Kelly. “Sometimes it’s the random acts of kindness and acts of true compassion that make all the difference in health care.”Nominations for the award are made by NLH employees, providers or patients, and then submitted to the Goodwill Committee. Award winners are selected using a blind formatBeckley received a plaque and a check along with the special honor.Second-quarter Goodwill Award winner Michelle Beckley
Polly Peck, NP joins the Gastroenterology Specialists of Littauer Posted on May 26, 2015 by Dakota PikeGLOVERSVILLE – Nathan Littauer Hospital is proud to announce Polly Peck, NP has joined the Gastroenterology Specialists of Littauer. Peck will be assisting Dr. Luz Alvarez and her practice located at Littauer’s Gastroenterology Primary/Specialty Center, 135 County Highway 128, Johnstown, (also known as 434 So. Kingsboro Ave. Extension next to Cataract Care Center and Mohawk Valley Orthopedics). “I am very fortunate to have been chosen to work with such an amazing, compassionate, patient-centered team,” said Peck. “It is great to be a part of Littauer’s growth and the offering of such a vital resources to our community.” Peck is in her tenth year working for Littauer. She is now seeing patients, and assisting with gastroscopy and colonoscopy procedures. An entirely new gastroenterology office was developed at Litttauer’s Johnstown Surgery Center on So. Kingsboro Ave. The 1458 square foot office houses three exam rooms, one procedure room, two offices, two restrooms, and a new reception area. The office is adjacent to the completely refurbished Endoscopy Center with a reception area, three operating rooms; sterilization equipment, a multiple patient recovery room, exam rooms, and the most complete state-of-the art technology and equipment for all procedures. “One of the most rewarding aspects of working with Dr. Alvarez is experiencing first-hand her patient-centered philosophy. This career move reinforces the reasons why I went into medicine in the first place,” added Peck. To schedule a consultation or appointment with Polly Peck or the Gastroenterology Specialists of Littauer, please call (518) 752-5275.
