Wellness Words November 2017 Posted on November 16, 2017 by Dakota PikeHealthLink Littauer’sWELLNESS WORDSSubmitted by Carol Tomlinson, RN BSCommunity Health EducatorManaging Diabetes During The HolidaysThe holiday season is both a beautiful and stressful time of year for most of us. If you have been diagnosed with diabetes, it can be even more challenging to manage your diabetes and the holidays at the same time. However, according to the American Diabetes Association, with some minor changes you should be able to handle managing both with confidence.First and foremost, remember to enjoy yourself. You certainly don’t need another stressor. For example, in order to get in your exercise time, take a walk around the neighborhood to enjoy the decorations or try something new like snow shoeing or cross country skiing. These simple things can help to keep the holidays wonderful and simple.Let’s face it, everywhere you go there will be food. What do you do? First remember “Everything in Moderation!” Here are some other tips to help you manage successfully:If you know ahead of time that you will be in a situation of temptation, plan your day accordingly. Eat healthy at home and consider filling up on good nutritious foods prior to going out, in order to minimize cravings.Fill your plate with healthy foods.Pick the one item you absolutely must splurge on and put a small amount of it on your plate, guilt free. But remember that it is on your plate and avoid the other things that you don’t really need or like.When going to a dinner party let your hostess know you have dietary restrictions in advance. Most people appreciate knowing any specific needs so they can make their guests more comfortable. It may be something as simple as setting out an artificial sweetener with coffee. It may also reduce the “hurt feelings syndrome” when you are selective and take small amounts of food.Another important thing to remember is that alcohol does have calories and can interfere with medications. If you have specific questions on use of alcohol with your medical regime, talk to your doctor or pharmacist for the best advice.Eating healthy is good for everyone, not just people with diabetes. If you are bringing food to a gathering, make it healthy. If you plan on baking use a diabetes friendly recipe. There are many great recipes available online, in magazines, and at your local library.Check your blood sugar levels regularly especially during the holiday season. The feedback provided is invaluable and provides a lot of insight into what your personal limits are. Ideal goals, regardless of the season, are fasting values of 80-120 mg/dl and about 140 mg/dl 2 hours after eating. Higher values may indicate there is a little too much holiday cheer going on.With a little bit of moderation, you can help to ensure the holidays can be enjoyed by everyone, regardless of diabetes. And with a little bit of moderation, you can help to ensure that there will be many more enjoyable holiday seasons to come!If you would like to learn more about managing your diabetes, HealthLink Littauer will begin a six-week series of free educational classes on “Diabetes Self-Management” beginning January 25, 2018. For more information, call HealthLink Littauer at 518-736-1120. You can e-mail us at healthlink@nlh.org, see our website at nlh.org, or visit our new wellness center at 2 Colonial Court in downtown Johnstown, Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. We’re your community health & wellness service of Nathan Littauer Hospital and Nursing Home.
Friends of the Gloversville Public Library celebrate with Littauer’s Birthing Center Posted on November 14, 2017 by Dakota Pike– Meagan Fleaszar and Austin Syzdek with newborn daughter Sophia Syzdek, and Jean LaPorta, President, Friends of the Gloversville Public LibraryGLOVERSVILLE, NEW YORK (October 30, 2017) – In celebration of National Friends of Libraries Week in October, the Friends of the Gloversville Public Library presented the first baby born that week at The Birthing Center at Nathan Littauer Hospital with a basket of books and gifts.Sophia Syzdek was born on Wednesday, Oct.18, making her the gift recipient. She is the daughter of Meagan Fleaszar and Austin Syzdek of Gloversville.Presenter Jean LaPorta, President, Friends of the Gloversville Public Library, said the organization does this activity annually for the first baby born at Littauer during National Friends of Libraries Week.“We really enjoy doing this” LaPorta said. “We hope these books will encourage a love of reading in the child and they will choose to visit our library,” she added.This gift from the Friends of the Gloversville Public Library is made available through library donations.
2017 Priscilla Parkhurst Ferguson and Robert A. Ferguson Fund for Education recipients Posted on November 8, 2017November 8, 2017 by Dakota PikeLittauer employees are recipients of the Priscilla Parkhurst Ferguson and Robert A. Ferguson Fund for EducationLittauer President and CEO Laurence E. Kelly, Scholar Kayla Bellinger, Benefactor Dr. Priscilla Parkhurst Ferguson, Scholar Tammy Merendo, and Littauer Foundation Executive Director Geoffrey Peck(Missing in photo: Scholar Krista Sheils)GLOVERSVILLE, NEW YORK (October 24, 2017) – Nathan Littauer Hospital & Nursing Home recently revealed the recipients of scholarships from the Priscilla Parkhurst Ferguson and Robert A. Ferguson Fund for Education. Kayla Bellinger, RN, BSN, Tammy Merendo, RN, and Krista Sheils RN, BSN received awards during a presentation at Littauer.“The Nathan Littauer Foundation is honored to present these prestigious awards to Littauer employees wishing to continue their healthcare education. This has become an annual tradition made possible by the Ferguson’s generosity” said Geoffrey Peck Vice President / Executive Director Nathan Littauer Foundation. “They have been great benefactors, and we are thankful that they have chosen to support the education of Littauer staff.”Kayla Bellinger works at Littauer’s Johnstown Surgical Center and is pursuing a career as a Family Nurse Practioner. “I am grateful for this award,” said Bellinger. “I can now pursue my dreams and soon give back to my community.”Tammy Merendo, Director of Community Education for Littauer’s HealthLink, is currently finishing a Bachelor’s degree in Nursing. Upon completion, she plans to pursue her Master’s degree. Merendo expressed gratitude noting; “I am so grateful for this opportunity to grow in my profession while remaining at Littauer.”Krista Sheils, a Littauer maternity department nurse, is currently pursuing her Master’s in Nursing and her licensure as a Family Nurse Practitioner.Priscilla and Robert Ferguson have created a legacy of support for Nathan Littauer Hospital. Scholarships have been awarded annually since 2014, to enhance the careers of Littauer employees.Priscilla and Robert had expressed that helping Littauer and its employees is an excellent way to serve the community. Just as Littauer employees are the heart and soul of the hospital, so too is the hospital as it sustains Gloversville as a vital and desirable place to live.
Littauer announces latest Goodwill Award; Erin Schreckenberger Posted on November 8, 2017 by Dakota PikeLittauer 2017 third-quarter Goodwill Award recipient, Erin Schreckenberger, with Littauer President and CEO Laurence E. KellyGLOVERSVILLE, NEW YORK (October 23, 2017) – Nathan Littauer Hospital & Nursing Home honored Certified Nurse Assistant, Erin Schreckenberger with the 2017 third-quarter Goodwill Award. Schreckenberger is an office coordinator at Littauer’s Easterly Primary Care Center. She was presented the award by Littauer President and CEO, Laurence E. Kelly before a gathering of Littauer staff.“It takes all 1000 employees to make Littauer what we are,” said Mr. Kelly. “Erin exemplifies Littauer’s values and is the perfect fit for this honor.”Many examples of Erin’s fine character were produced, justifying her honor as the Goodwill recipient.Schreckenberger humbly accepted the award.Recipients for the award are nominated by NLH employees, providers or patients and submitted to the Goodwill Committee. They are selected in a blind format.Schreckenberger received a plaque and a check along with her special honor.
“Only the best and brightest choose Littauer” Posted on November 1, 2017 by Dakota Pike– The best and brightest now at Littauer – meet; Nicholas J. Fusella, D.O., left, Michael Parslow, D.O., Jerome “Jerry” Rosenstein, M.D., and Shri Kris, Verma, M.D., seated.GLOVERSVILLE, NEW YORK (October 24, 2017) – Recently, Nathan Littauer Hospital & Nursing Home held a reception welcoming their newest healthcare providers.“The best and brightest medical providers seem to choose Littauer,” said Cheryl McGrattan, Littauer VP of Marketing/Communications. “And this excellence in healthcare benefits our community.”In September, Gastroenterologist Shri Kris, Verma, M.D., joined Nathan Littauer’s at Kingsboro Gastroenterology Primary/Specialty Care Center. He has come to Littauer after a successful solo practice at a Yale-affiliated hospital in New London, Connecticut.Dr. Verma completed his fellowship in Gastroenterology at the LSU Health Sciences Center-University Hospital Shreveport, LA. He completed his residency in Internal Medicine at New York Hospital Medical Center of Queens, New York, and received his Medical Education through The Government Medical College of Rohtak Haryana, India. He is certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine/Gastroenterology.“I am very happy at Littauer,” said Dr. Verma. “I am enjoying the tremendous support of Littauer and my colleagues. “Dr. Verma is now living locally with his family and has said to be enjoying the 44 Lakes Region. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Verma, please call 518-752-5275.This month, Littauer welcomed the addition of Jerome “Jerry” Rosenstein, M.D., as a women’s health provider in the Gloversville Primary Care Center on the hospital campus. Dr. Rosenstein has come to Littauer from a successful practice in Binghamton, New York.Dr. Rosenstein completed his residency in Obstetrics & Gynecology at the Greater Baltimore Medical Center and John Hopkins University, in Baltimore, Maryland. He attended Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and is certified by the American Board of Obstetrics & Gynecology.“I am thrilled to be practicing and seeing new patients at Littauer,” said Dr. Rosenstein.Dr. Rosenstein comes to Littauer with extensive experience with women’s health and obstetrics. He takes great pride in providing patients with the latest in women’s health care. Dr. Rosenstein is living locally, joined by his family. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Rosenstein, please call Littauer’s Gloversville Primary Care Center at 518-775-4360.In August, Littauer added Nicholas J. Fusella, D.O., to the , 99 E. State St., in Gloversville. Dr. Fusella is coming to Littauer from Ellis Family Medicine in Schenectady.Dr. Fusella completed his residency at Ellis Family Medicine, Schenectady. He received his Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine from New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine, his Post-Baccalaureate from Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine and his Bachelor of Science from Siena College.“Dr. Fusella is an asset to our primary care practice,” said Littauer Vice President, Primary/Specialty Care Services Patrice McMahon.“I’m happy to practice in a community I am familiar with,” said Dr. Fusella. “I am looking forward to getting to know each of my patients at the Gloversville Family Practice.”Dr. Fusella was born and raised in the Capital District. When not practicing medicine, he enjoys spending time with his wife and infant son. To set up an appointment or consultation with Dr. Fusella, please call Gloversville Family Practice at 518-775-4201.In July, Littauer welcomed Michael Parslow, D.O., to the Mayfield Primary/Specialty Care Center, 2497 State Highway 30, in Mayfield, New York. Dr. Parslow was previously employed at St. Elizabeth’s Family Medicine in Utica.“We pleased Dr. Parslow has joined our Primary Care team at the Mayfield Center,” stated Littauer Vice President of Primary/Specialty Care Services, Patrice McMahon. “He has proven to be the perfect fit for the patients in our community”Dr. Parslow completed his residency at St. Elizabeth’s Family Medicine, Utica. He received his Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine from Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, and is a Cum Laude graduate from Utica College of Syracuse University, Utica, New York.“I’m happy to be back in the Adirondacks,” said Dr. Parslow. “It’s a pleasure to practice where my medical skills are needed, while living in an environment I am so comfortable in.”Dr. Parslow was born and raised in the Adirondack Mountains and enjoys the outdoors. When not practicing medicine, he can be found skiing, fishing, hiking and camping with his wife and two young sons. To set up an appointment with Dr. Parslow, call Mayfield Primary/Specialty Care at 518-661-5441, or Speculator Primary/Specialty Care at 518-548-8155.
