Johnstown Teachers Association Donates 459 Books to Nathan Littauer Through Annual “Books for Babies” Drive

Johnstown Teachers Association Donates 459 Books to Nathan Littauer Through Annual “Books for Babies” Drive

Gloversville, NY — The Johnstown Teachers Association (JTA) continues to support the community through its annual Books for Babies donation drive, delivering 459 books to the Nathan Littauer Hospital’s Birthing Center on March 30, 2026.

The Books for Babies program is designed to promote early literacy development and strengthen family bonding from the very beginning of a child’s life. Placing books directly into the hands of families at birth encourages parents to begin reading to their children early—supporting language development, cognitive growth, and emotional connection. Each year, JTA members contribute new books as well as monetary donations, which are used to purchase additional books and supplies to support the initiative.

“Providing books helps us give families a meaningful tool to support their child’s development,” said Assistant Nurse Manager Gina Lachmayer, RN, BSN. “Early reading promotes bonding, language growth, and a lifelong love of learning, and we are thankful to the Johnstown Teachers Association for making that possible.”

This year’s collection reflects the continued dedication of JTA members to fostering a love of reading among the youngest members of the community.

The donation was presented to the Nathan Littauer Hospital Birthing Center, where the books will be distributed to new parents and their newborns.

Pictured during the donation are Birthing Center Nurses Gina Lachmayer and Alex Hennessey, alongside JTA representatives Stephanie Di Visconti, Karyn Watson, Maria Langford, and Sarah White-Murphy.

Nathan Littauer Hospital remains committed to supporting initiatives that enhance the health, well-being, and development of the communities it serves, and thanks the Johnstown Teachers Association.

 

About Nathan Littauer

Nathan Littauer Hospital and Nursing Home is a full-service, 74-bed acute care hospital with an 84-bed skilled nursing home. Since 1894, 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 in order to offer health care that is comprehensive, accessible, and relevant to the needs of the communities they serve.  More information can be found by visiting www.nlh.org or calling (518) 725-8621

Nathan Littauer Honors Sacha Peragine, RN, with DAISY Award for Exceptional Nursing Care

Gloversville, NY — Nathan Littauer Hospital is proud to announce that Sacha Peragine, RN, of the hospital’s Birthing Center has been named the recipient of the DAISY Award for the third quarter of 2025. This prestigious national recognition honors nurses who demonstrate extraordinary compassion, clinical excellence, and dedication to patient care.

Peragine was surprised with the award during a special gathering with coworkers and members of the hospital’s leadership team, who came together to celebrate her commitment to patients and families.

“I was absolutely surprised,” said Peragine. “I am honored and grateful for this recognition.”

Peragine was nominated by grateful patients who described how her compassion and attentiveness helped guide their family through one of the most frightening moments of their lives. In their nomination, they shared that they arrived at the hospital expecting a routine delivery but quickly discovered a serious complication that required an urgent decision.

“My wife and I came in for what we thought was active labor and bleeding, only to find out the bleeding was more serious than we realized,” the patient wrote. “After some tests and discussions with the doctor, we decided to move forward with a C-section. Sacha talked us through everything that was happening and made us feel calm and safe during a very scary time.”

The patient explained that his wife’s placenta had begun to tear away, causing the bleeding. Throughout the experience, Peragine helped the family understand their options and supported them emotionally as they made difficult decisions.

“She even helped me get myself together so I could be there to support my wife during the operation,” the patient continued. “After the delivery, Sacha was there for us every step of the way and made us feel safe and protected on the scariest night of our lives.”

In the days following the birth, the family said Peragine continued to provide reassurance and attentive care.

“After talking with others later, we realized just how serious and intense the situation really was, but Sacha helped us feel calm and reassured the entire time,” the patient wrote. “At the end of her shift, she even came in to personally say goodbye to us and held our son before leaving. That meant so much to us. We truly can’t say enough wonderful things about Sacha and the way she made us feel safe.”

Maureen Mosher, Manager of Nathan Littauer’s Birthing Center, said Peragine exemplifies the values the DAISY Award was created to recognize.

“Sacha’s compassion, teamwork, and professionalism truly embody what the DAISY Award represents,” Mosher said. “Her ability to support patients and their families during critical moments reflects the highest standard of nursing excellence. We are proud to have her as part of our team on the Birthing Center.”

The DAISY Award is part of a nationwide program that honors the extraordinary clinical skills and compassionate care nurses provide every day.

Nathan Littauer Hospital proudly congratulates Sacha Peragine, RN, on receiving the DAISY Award for the third quarter of 2025 and thanks her for her dedication to providing exceptional care to the patients and families she serves.

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Nathan Littauer Hospital and Nursing Home is a full-service, 74-bed acute care hospital with an 84-bed skilled nursing home. Since 1894, 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 in order to offer health care that is comprehensive, accessible, and relevant to the needs of the communities they serve.  More information can be found by visiting www.nlh.org or calling (518) 725-8621

Nathan Littauer Announces Participation in Rural Hospital Stabilization Program

Gloversville, NY — Nathan Littauer Hospital and Nursing Home has been selected to participate in the Rural Hospital Stabilization Program (RHSP). This nationwide federally funded program provides technical assistance to rural hospitals, at no cost, to help improve financial stability by enhancing or expanding health care services that match community needs.

“We’re ecstatic to participate in RHSP,” said Nathan Littauer Hospital and Nursing Home President and CEO Sean Fadale, FACHE. Nathan Littauer Hospital and Nursing Home applied for the program last Fall and began receiving hands-on technical assistance in January of this year. As part of the participation, Littauer will receive a comprehensive financial and operational assessment to help inform action and implementation plans to expand or introduce new service lines. The program may provide funding for operations and equipment required to support service line enhancements.

Eight hospitals were selected from across the country to participate in this year’s cohort. These organizations will have the opportunity to learn together, share experiences, and build their network of similar organizations.

As a participant in the program, Nathan Littauer will receive funding to support the establishment of a Community Engagement Champion position. This role is intended to strengthen relationships within communities, lead strategic outreach, marketing initiatives, and clearly communicate the hospital’s impact across the region.

Anne Boles has been appointed to serve as champion and will lead initiatives focused on enhancing patient-centered engagement, expanding community partnerships, and ensuring that the needs and perspectives of the community remain central to the organization’s work.

Anne Boles, Nathan Littauer’s newly appointed Director of Patient Experience.

“This opportunity allows Nathan Littauer to deepen its connection with the communities it already serves,” said Anne Boles, Director of Patient Experience at Nathan Littauer Hospital and Nursing Home. “By listening intentionally, strengthening community partnerships, and ensuring that patient voices remain at the forefront of our work, we can better align our services with the needs of Fulton, Montgomery, and Hamilton County patients. I am honored to help advance this important effort and to support initiatives at Littauer.”

“We are fortunate enough to have Anne in a role perfectly suited to her experience and personality,” said Nathan Littauer Vice President of Business Develop and Nathan Littauer Foundation Executive Director Geoffrey Peck. “She brings years of community engagement experience along with an inquisitive mind and caring attitude.”

The Rural Hospital Stabilization Program is funded by the Federal Office of Rural Health Policy, a division of the Health Resources and Services Administration. Services and technical assistance are managed and provided by the National Rural Health Resource Center. Read more about the program at https://www.ruralcenter.org/programs/stabilization.

About Nathan Littauer

Nathan Littauer Hospital and Nursing Home is a full-service, 74-bed acute care hospital with an 84-bed skilled nursing home. Since 1894, 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 in order to offer health care that is comprehensive, accessible, and relevant to the needs of the communities they serve.  More information can be found by visiting www.nlh.org or calling (518) 725-8621

Johnstown Hospital Foundation Supports Upgrades at Nathan Littauer Perry St. Johnstown Primary Care

Gloversville, NY — The Johnstown Hospital Foundation, INC. has generously donated $50,000 to the Nathan Littauer Foundation to support Nathan Littauer Hospital and Nursing Home’s renovation costs of its Johnstown Primary/Specialty Care Center.

The funding will directly assist with improvements to the Johnstown Primary Care Center facility, enhancing the environment for patients and staff while strengthening access to high-quality primary care services for Johnstown-area residents.

“We are grateful to the Johnstown Hospital Foundation (JHF) for their generous $50,000 donation,” said Geoffrey Peck, Vice President of Business Development at Nathan Littauer Hospital & Nursing Home and Executive Director of the Nathan Littauer Foundation. “Since its formation, the Foundation has been a great partner to Littauer. Although JHF closed long ago, the JHF continues to help Johnstown residents maintain access to safe, high-quality healthcare. This latest gift is a huge help in our transformation of our Johnstown Primary Care location.”

The Johnstown Hospital Foundation has a longstanding history of supporting healthcare advancements and community wellness efforts. By partnering with the Nathan Littauer Foundation, the organization continues its mission of fostering collaboration and ensuring sustainable healthcare resources for residents across the region.

“We are very proud to support this important renovation project,” said Paul VanDenburgh, President of the Johnstown Hospital Foundation, INC. “Investing in Littauer’s Johnstown Primary Care Center ensures that Johnstown continues to have access to modern, high-quality healthcare services. This donation reflects the Johnstown Hospital Foundation’s ongoing commitment and mission to strengthening healthcare resources for the people of Johnstown and to promote its health and safety.”

This investment underscores a shared commitment to community health and ensures that residents of Johnstown and the surrounding areas continue to benefit from accessible, modernized primary care services.
“I am especially pleased to see our Foundation’s resources directed toward a project that delivers tangible benefits to Johnstown,” said Bill Easterly, Treasurer of the Johnstown Hospital Foundation, INC. “Supporting the renovation of the Johnstown Primary Care Center is a sound investment in the health and well-being of Johnstown residents, ensuring they have convenient access to quality care in a modern and welcoming setting.”

For more information about the Nathan Littauer Foundation and its initiatives, please visit Nathan Littauer’s website at nlh.org.

About Nathan Littauer
Nathan Littauer Hospital and Nursing Home is a full-service, 74-bed acute care hospital with an 84-bed skilled nursing home. Since 1894, 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 in order to offer health care that is comprehensive, accessible, and relevant to the needs of the communities they serve. More information can be found by visiting www.nlh.org or calling (518) 725-8621

Littauer Presents First ICARE Champion Award to Christina Smida

Yesterday, employees and staff gathered to celebrate a meaningful milestone—the presentation of our very first ICARE Award!
 
 
The honor was presented to Christina Smida of Women’s Health in recognition of her consistent commitment to living out our ICARE values in her daily work and interactions. The moment was made even more special by the element of surprise, as Christina was caught off guard when her colleagues rounded the corner clapping, joyfully cheering, and saying, “Congratulations, Christina!” Christina was specifically nominated for exemplifying Integrity, demonstrating that she always does the right thing—even when no one is watching. A portion of her nomination reads:
 
“. . . She approaches every responsibility with accountability and a strong moral compass, even during challenging situations and when no one is watching. Christina can always be trusted to do the right thing. Through her actions, she sets a positive example for others and helps foster a culture rooted in trust, respect, and professionalism.”
 
The ICARE award was presented by Meegan Goodman, Interim Practice Administrator of Primary and Specialty Care Services, alongside Amy Green, Women’s Health and Pediatrics PCC/SCC Manager. Both shared heartfelt words of appreciation, highlighting Christina’s dedication, compassion, and positive impact across the organization. 
 
This inaugural ICARE Award marks an important step in recognizing the exceptional individuals who embody our values each day. Congratulations to Christina on this well-deserved recognition, and thank you to all who help make Nathan Littauer a place rooted in integrity, collaboration, accountability, respect, and empathy.