Nathan Littauer ranked 8th busiest Diagnostic Imaging Center Posted on August 27, 2009 by Dakota PikeNathan Littauer Hospital ranked 8th busiest diagnostic Imaging Center Gloversville, NY… Nathan Littauer Hospital was ranked by The Business Review as the 8th largest diagnostic imaging center in Capital Region and surrounding area. The inaugural list of “Diagnostic Imaging Centers” was published this week by the Albany-based Business Review, ranking imaging centers by total patient visits in 2008. Nathan Littauer Hospital reported 56,417 total patient visits in 2008.The survey area included: Albany, Columbia, Fulton, Green, Montgomery, Rensselaer, Saratoga, Schenectady, Schoharie, Warren and Washington counties. “It is rewarding to see so many of our patients benefit from the world’s best technology right their own backyard.” stated Nathan Littauer’s CEO and President Laurence E. Kelly. He added, “In the past seven years, Nathan Littauer Hospital has made a commitment to deliver cutting-edge technology to our region. And we are delivering on that promise. Previously this technology was only available in major metropolitan areas.” The hospital recently also purchased the region’s only GE 64-slice CT scanner and a new Primus rehabilitation system.Hospital spokesperson Cheryl McGrattan explains, “People have come to think of Nathan Littauer Hospital as a small hospital with big-city capabilities. Our increased numbers are reflecting that.” She added, “However, without the right doctors to interpret the images, diagnostic technology is merely gears, cables and wires. Our staff is our greatest asset, including the leadership of Dr. Sunjay Verma, Chief of Radiology, a nationally known radiologist.”To learn more about Nathan Littauer’s Diagnostic Imaging Capabilities, patients are encouraged to call: 773-4250.
Wellness Words August 2009 Posted on August 2, 2009 by Dakota PikeHealthLink Littauer’sWELLNESS WORDSSubmitted by Carol Tomlinson RN BS, Community Health Educator UNDERSTANDING PROSTATE CANCER As we approach Prostate Cancer Awareness month, it’s a perfect time for men to talk with their health care providers about their risks for prostate cancer.According to the NYS Department of Health, prostate cancer remains the second most common cancer among American men, second only to skin cancer. The good news is that fewer men are dying from the disease. In 2009, it’s estimated that more than 1700 men will die from prostate cancer in New York State and more than 13,000 new cases will be diagnosed. The fact remains that over the course of their lives, one man in six will be diagnosed with prostate cancer.Scientists don’t know exactly what causes prostate cancer. However, certain factors have been shown to increase a man’s chances of developing it. These include:Age: As men get older, their chance of getting this cancer increases. The majority of cases are diagnosed in men 65 and older, and 90% of prostate cancer deaths are in men over 65.Ethnicity: Prostate cancer is much more common in African-American men than in white men. In New York State, African-American men are 50% more likely to develop prostate cancer, and nearly twice as likely to die from it.Family History: If a man’s father, brother or son has had prostate cancer, his risk of having the disease is doubled or even tripled.Diet: Some studies suggest that men who eat large amounts of animal fats may face increased risk of prostate cancer.The good news is that most prostate cancers grow very slowly. There are more than two million men alive today who have had prostate cancer, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention.Some medical experts recommend prostate cancer screening for all men over 50, and for younger men who are at increase risk for the condition. However, at this time, there is not enough scientific evidence to say definitively that the benefits of prostate screening outweigh the risks associated with screening. Medical experts do agree that men should know the risks and benefits before they are screened.For more information on prostate cancer, contact your health care provider, the American Cancer Society at 1-800-227-2345 (cancer.org), or HealthLink Littauer at 736-1120. You can e-mail us at healthlink@nlh.org or visit our Wellness Center at 213 Harrison Street Ext. in Johnstown, Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. We’re celebrating 20 years of being your community health & wellness service of Nathan Littauer Hospital and Nursing Home.
Nathan Littauer’s employee of the quarter Posted on August 2, 2009August 16, 2012 by Dakota PikeOur new employee of the quarterNATHAN LITTAUER Announces employee of the quarterHeather Sousa referred to as “Radar O’Reilly” for the medical staff August 5, 2009Gloversville, NY– Nathan Littauer Hospital and Nursing Home announced their Employee of the second Quarter for 2009, Ms. Heather Souza. Ms. Sousa works at the Nathan Littauer Family Practice Group in Gloversville. Ms. Sousa was presented with a gift of appreciation by the Hospital’s President and CEO, Laurence E. Kelly during an employee celebration last week. She also was presented with a plaque. Mr. Kelly explained, “Heather strives to be the best at her job, works well with others and is very, very good to our patients.” She has even driven to patient’s houses, in extreme cases to deliver prescriptions to patients. Her coworkers, who made the nomination, explained that she “goes above and beyond her call of duty”.Ms. Sousa said thank you to the crowd that had gathered, which included her family. She did not know she would be chosen as employee of the quarter until Mr. Kelly announced her name. Dr. David Pesses, MD a family practitioner at the hospital added, “I have been tempted to call her ‘Radar’ because she knows what I need or need to know before I ask.” Dr. Pesses reference is to the 1970’s TV show M*A*S*H and the character of Radar O’Reilly who had a knack for predicting people’s thoughts or needs before they were even spoken.The Employee of the Quarter is a function of the hospital’s Goodwill Committee a multi-disciplinary team that strives to recognize employees within the hospital who embody Nathan Littauer’s original mission.Caption for photo: Heather Sousa holds her employee of the quarter award.
Nathan Littauer Hospital’s summer day camp celebrates 30 years Posted on July 27, 2009 by Dakota PikeCampers remember their pastCamp SuperStarrs still going strong after 30 yearsCamp SuperStarrs 30th. Nathan Littauer Hospital’s summer day camp celebrates 30 years.By SHAWN M. TOMLINSON, The Leader-HeraldFirst published in print, Sunday July 26, 2009BLEECKER – It was 30 years ago this summer that Wayne McNeil and Dr. David Clough got the idea of creating a summer day camp for children with asthma.With the help of the American Lung Association, the two formed Camp Super Kids in 1979. That changed to Camp SuperStarrs when they added children with other health problems such as diabetes.“We have 45 to 50 kids per year,” said Susan McNeil, assistant director of the camp. “We have about 30 per week” of the two-week camp.Part of the focus of the camp is to teach children how to deal with their conditions.“Being a day camp was on purpose,” McNeil said. “That’s so the kids can share what they’ve learned with their parents.”The camp has approximately 30 volunteers, along with hospital staff members. Many of the camp counselors were campers themselves when they were younger and have returned to help.“I like watching the kids grow up and how they change,” said Courtney Kwiatkowski, a counselor and former camper. “I try to tell them to never give up,” the 19-year-old said Thursday at the camp.“I tell them ‘you need to get out of that wheelchair and keep your strength up,'” she said. Kwiatkowski herself walks with crutches and recently spent time at Nathan Littauer Hospital.“We give hospital staff [members] the ‘heads up’ when Camp SuperStarrs kids are in the hospital,” McNeil said. “The camp has a lasting effect beyond the two weeks.”Barb DeLuca, a registered respiratory therapist and supervisor at Littauer, said she’s been involved with the camp the last four years.“The best thing about it is that kids help other kids,” DeLuca said. “It’s also good to get the kids who aren’t very sick together with kids who are because it gives them some perspective.”DeLuca recalled a little girl in a wheelchair who the counselors gave her first boat ride.“Her smile was ear to ear,” DeLuca said. “This place is well worth the effort.”Camp SuperStarrs teaches children how to handle their conditions, such as asthma and diabetes through intruction and games.The staff members at Littauer give the campers breakfast at the hospital when camp starts at 8 a.m. The hospital then provides transportation to Woodworth Lake, a Boy Scout camp in Bleecker via buses from the Gloversville Enlarged School District, NcNeil said. She said the hospital also brings lunch to the campers and transports them home at 4 p.m.This week, on Thursday – the optional sleep-over night – local historian Don Williams will be at the camp to tell Adirondack stories and there will be a large cake to celebrate the 30th year of Camp SuperStarrs. For more information about the camp, call the hospital at 725-8621 or go to www.nlh.org.
Wellness Words July 2009 Posted on July 2, 2009 by Dakota PikeHealthLink Littauer’sWELLNESS WORDSSubmitted by Carol Tomlinson RN BS, Community Health Educator HOW TO ENJOY FRUITS AND VEGGIES AT EVERY MEALAccording to a spokesperson for the American Dietetic Association, “A lot of people concerned about good nutrition are just watching what they can’t eat – whether it’s fat, sugar, salt or whatever.” That attitude can blind us to all of those foods that we really should be eating more of. It can also lead to missing nutrients in our food and can even lead to dietary deficiencies for even the most conscientious eaters.The most recent U.S. Dietary Guidelines call for 3-5 servings of vegetables and 3-4 servings of fruit daily. Just a few modest changes to your diet may give you all the nutrients you need. Here are some good ideas from the Hope Health newsletter.BreakfastTop French toast or waffles with berries or slices of banana or kiwi fruit.Fill an omelet with mushrooms, peppers, onions, zucchini and/or spinach.Add fresh, canned or dried fruit to plain yogurt or cereal.LunchReplace half the meat in a sandwich with extra slices of tomato and romaine or leafy lettuce.Add fruit slices or grapes to any green salad.Make a peanut butter sandwich with slices of apple or pear instead of jelly.Top a baked potato with broccoli or salsa instead of butter or sour cream.Head to a salad bar and fill up on mostly raw, crunchy vegetables.Buy or make a bean burrito stuffed with extra vegetables.Add your favorite chopped fruits and vegetables to tuna or chicken salad.DinnerGarnish a fillet of sole with grapes or add pineapple slices to grilled chicken breast.Finely chop any type of vegetable in a food processor, then sauté and add to lasagna.Stuff meatloaf with celery, onions, carrots and lentils.Spray veggies lightly with olive oil and roast them in a 400 degree oven or grill them on skewers.Grill stone fruit like peaches, nectarines and plums for dessert.Remember, a diet that includes lots of fruits and vegetables may help lower your risk for heart disease, type 2 diabetes and some cancers. The U.S.D.A. Food Guide Pyramid recommends these daily portion totals for adults:2 ½ Cups of Vegetables – 1 cup raw or cooked, 2 cups raw leafy, or 1 cup 100% juice count as 1 cup. The size of a fist is equivalent to one cup.2 Cups of Fruit – 1 cup raw or cooked fruit, 1 medium piece of fruit (the size of a tennis ball), 1 cup of 100% juice, or ½ cup dried fruit count as 1 cup.For more information on good nutrition, contact your health care provider or call HealthLink Littauer at 736-1120. You can e-mail us at healthlink@nlh.org or visit our Wellness Center at 213 Harrison Street Ext. in Johnstown, Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. We’re celebrating 20 years of being your community health & wellness service of Nathan Littauer Hospital and Nursing Home.
