Littauer announces the Goodwill Employee of the Quarter Posted on February 16, 2016 by Dakota PikeGLOVERSVILLE – Nathan Littauer Hospital & Nursing Home has announced their Goodwill Employee of the 2015 fourth-quarter. Barbara Hill, a 27 year Littauer employee, currently a medical receptionist in OB/GYN Primary Care Center was the recipient.“We all touch patients in one way or another here at Littauer,” said NLH President and CEO Laurence E. Kelly. “Barb is one of our employees who emulates our core values, and one whose actions we choose to celebrate.”Hill’s co-workers, friends and family joined her in the NHL cafe for the recent announcement. Hill was nominated by her peers, who welcome her constant smile, her true care and compassion, and her love of patients.“I love working here,” said Hill. “I’ll be here forever.” She added, “After 27 years, I have seen so many great co-workers awarded; I never expected to be one of them.”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 format.Hill received a plaque and a check along with the special honor.NLH President and CEO Laurence E. Kelly presents medical receptionist Barbara Hill with the NLH 2015 fourth-quarter Goodwill Award
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.
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.
Visitation guidelines announced Posted on December 18, 2014 by Dakota PikeALBANY, N.Y., December 16, 2014 — Visitation guidelines are being implemented at several regional hospitals to further protect patients from influenza and other infectious diseases. These actions are being taken in response to increasing numbers of cases of influenza (Type A-H3N2) across the state and in this region.The guidelines will be implemented in all hospitals joining this announcement by Friday, December 19, 2014.Hospitals implementing the restrictions include Albany Medical Center; Nathan Littauer Hospital; St. Peter’s Health Partners acute care hospitals including Albany Memorial Hospital, Samaritan Hospital, St. Mary’s Hospital (Troy), St. Peter’s Hospital, and Sunnyview Rehabilitation Hospital; Ellis Medicine acute care hospitals including Bellevue Woman’s Center and Ellis Hospital; Glens Falls Hospital; Columbia Memorial Hospital; St. Mary’s Healthcare (Amsterdam); and Saratoga Hospital.The restrictions include the following:A maximum of two visitors will be permitted in a patient’s room at any one time.Children 12 and under will be prohibited from visiting patients’ rooms, as they are more likely to have and transmit respiratory infections.Visitors with rash, diarrhea or respiratory symptoms will be prohibited from visiting patients. These symptoms include fever, sore throat, cough, shortness of breath.The hospitals also are urging all visitors to use hand-washing stations before entering and upon leaving a patient’s room. Hand sanitizers are available at many hospital entrances and at many other locations throughout these hospitals, including the doorways of many patient rooms.Some hospitals have special care units or physical layouts which may have additional visitation restrictions.Hospital officials said there is a potential that this flu season could be more severe as one of the strains circulating is not in the vaccine. They advised that it is still important to get vaccine, as it offers protection against other circulating strains and will reduce the likelihood of severe illness.The same guidelines announced today were developed and temporarily implemented in previous years to address influenza outbreaks. These temporary restrictions are intended to help limit the transmission of the virus and protect the health and safety of patients and the professionals who provide their care during the outbreak.
