Nathan Littauer Achieves Renewal of Certified Diabetes Educator® Status

Nathan Littauer Achieves Renewal of Certified Diabetes Educator® Status

Hospital remains resource for those living with diabetes

 The National Certification Board for Diabetes Educators (NCBDE) announced that Nathan Littauer Hospital has renewed the certified Diabetes educator® (CDE®) status by successfully completing thee continuing Education renewal option process. Candidates must meet rigorous eligibility requirements to be eligible for certification. Achieving the CDE credential demonstrates to people with diabetes and employers that the health care professional posses distinct and specialized knowledge, thereby promoting quality of care fro people with diabetes. Currently, there are over 17,400 diabetes educators who hold the NCBDE certification.

Kathie Rohrs, RN, MSN, CDE heads up Littauer’s Diabetes Education Programs

“This certification is a great personal and professional achievement.” stated Kathie Rohrs, MSN, CDE. Mrs. Rohrs heads up Diabetic Programming for Nathan Littauer. She continues, “Maintaining my CDE status validates my endeavors in remaining current with professional standards of care in diabetes management education”

Nathan Littauer Hospital Diabetes Education is an American Diabetes Association recognized program since 2002. Mr. Rohrs said, “We have a comprehensive program for people who are living with diabetes or for those who are newly diagnosed. Our approach is highly customized and personable. We are unique because we offer a multidisciplinary team of educators focused on the patient’s learning experience.” Mrs. Rohrs has been a nurse at Nathan Littauer Hospital for over 25 years and holds a Masters of Science in Nursing with an Education Specialization. She concludes, “Teaching people how to manage their disease is at the heart of this program. I am very proud of our team and our patients.” 

Nathan Littauer employees work to “Warm the Children”

Littauer collected over 100 coats for local children.

Nathan Littauer Hospital employees donated 106 coats, 30 hats, 29 pairs of gloves and 5 scarves to local children in need last week. Now in its third year, the gently-used coats and other items are collected from hospital employees and cleaned by Robinson & Smith (who donate their services) before they go to the Fulmont Action Agency for distribution.

Littauer’s “Walking Track Challenge” winners announced

Marion Enright walked 239.5 miles winning first place!
Marion Enright walked 239.5 miles winning first place!

Marion Enright walked 239.5 miles winning first place!

In an employee gathering last week, Nathan Littauer’s Courtesy Council announced the winners of the Walking Track Challenge. The new initiative encouraged Littauer employees to walk and log their mileage from May 7th through August 31, 2012. Employees walked on the hospital’s walking track. Staff members who are located off- campus participated by setting up their own walking circuit around their primary care centers. “We want to create an atmosphere of health for our employees.” stated Bob Shwajlyk, one of the members of the Courtesy Council. He added, “We were surprised at how many people participated. And each week the mileage just kept creeping up.”

The first place winner of in the individual category is Marion Enright who walked 239.5 miles. “That is like walking from NLH to Boston and then some!” stated Hospital Spokesperson Cheryl McGrattan. Marion works at Littauer’s Emergency Department. The team with the highest mileage was the Mayfield Magnolias team who walked a total of 1,233 miles. In all, 128 people participated logging a total of 4,800 miles.

 The hospital might repeat the program next spring. The hospital has a walking track located directly on campus, around the helipad. There is plenty of parking and is open to the public.

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World-renown psychic entertainer Robert Channing coming to area

World-renown psychic entertainer Robert Channing coming to area

Nathan Littauer’s Hospital Foundation plans an afternoon

World-renown psychic entertainer  Robert Channing coming to area

World-renown psychic entertainer
Robert Channing coming to area

of

“Wow, how did he know that?!”

 Gloversville NY Nathan Littauer Foundation is bringing a special entertainer to our area: Robert Channing. The Psychic Entertainer is known as a “hacker of the human brain”. “I believe Robert’s exciting, entertaining and mind-boggling show will have our audience on the edge of their seats, squirming with anticipation and sheer thrill.” stated Kelly Colby one of the event organizers for the Foundation. She added, “Robert Channing’s show is amazingly riveting and clean – it is a perfect blend of comedy suitable for the whole family. This dramatic program masterfully illustrates the strange and incredible mysteries of the mind. The whole audience is expected to participate and experience the fascinating and mysterious wonders of the sixth sense.”

 

The event is November 17, 2012 at 4pm at the Gloversville High School Auditorium. Tickets are $20 and VIP tickets, which include a special reception and meet and greet with the entertainer will be $50 per ticket. Tickets can be secured by calling 773-5505.

 

The event will benefitNathanLittauerHospitaland Nursing Home. Susan Kiernan Vice President of Development and one of the organizers explained, “We wanted to host a high- caliber family event for our region. And luckily, we were able to pull strings and get this world famous psychic here.” She added, “His name is generating a lot of enthusiasm.”

 

No information is ever given to Robert before the performance. The names, numbers, and innermost thoughts that he reveals are those actually held in the minds of the audience — all strangers to him “I can say it again” said Susan Kiernan, “Most of all, this is a great event for a great cause.” If anyone is interested in getting tickets for Saturday’s event, please call 773-5505.

 

Nathan Littauer readies for hurricane Sandy: A lesson in preparedness

“We practice all year long for any type of emergency”

While the East Coast braces for Hurricane Sandy, Nathan Littauer’s preparedness is grounded in year-long drills and tests. Joe Slovak, Safety Officer for the hospital states, “It is business as usual at the hospital”.

Tim Forte, Director of the Nutritional Services Team checks drinking water supplies ahead of the storm.

The hospital is preparing for three things: Loss of electricity, high winds and staff who may not be able to get to work. “We are prepared for all three.” stated Mr. Slovak adding, “The hospital has plans in place for all these events and more.”  Mr.  Slovak has been sending out weather alerts to staff twice a day since last week.

Since last week the engineering team has been preparing for the storm. The hospital ran a successful generator check at 7:45 this morning. The hospital has three generators. The hospital checks all generators the first Thursday of the month, but the hospital ran a special test this morning. “All went smoothly.” stated David Bruhns Engineering Director for Littauer. The engineering team also has walked the rooftops and secured outside items.

The Engineering Team at NLH checks the generators ahead of the storm

The nursing team is reviewing their staffing plans. Last year Nathan Littauer received patients from St. Mary’s Hospital when flooding became an issue for theMontgomeryCountyhospital. They will be ready to do the same this year as well.

All surgeries for the hospital are going on as planned.

“The Emergency Department by nature is ready for any type of event”. Explained Bonnie Looman, Emergency Department Manager adding, “We can always activate one of our plans if we need to. Right now we are all set and we are ready if we need to go further.”

Time Forte, Director of Nutritional Services checked their water supplies this morning and has 96 hours of food on hand. The Nutritional Services Department also has a disaster plan and if activated, is guaranteed to receive a shipment of food within 24 hours.

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