Meet Performance Improvement Specialist, Wes McFee Posted on November 30, 2017 by Dakota PikeNathan Littauer Hospital & Nursing Home Performance Improvement Specialist, Wes McFeeGLOVERSVILLE, NEW YORK (November 30, 2017) – Nathan Littauer Hospital & Nursing Home Performance Improvement Specialist, Wes McFee, has brought his skill set to Littauer.Performance improvement specialists are employed primarily in the healthcare field to improve patient care in a variety of ways. At Littauer, McFee serves as a consultant to staff and administration, evaluating, planning, and implementing improvements in healthcare. Other aspects of his job include team building and group facilitation, compiling and tracking data, and preparing training materials.In has set up a task force to address sepsis and to lead the nation in sepsis education. McFee is working as the project lead for sepsis education at Littauer. Sepsis is the result of a massive immune response to bacterial infection that gets into the blood. It often leads to organ failure or injuryIt is McFee’s goal to bring awareness and education to the forefront of all Littauer staff. He also works closely with individual departments supplying them with information and tools to improve patient outcomes.McFee works closely with Littauer’s Vice President, Medical Affairs & Chief Medical Officer Dr. Frederick Goldberg.“In the brief time that Wes has been working here, he has been quick to add value by using his strong problem-solving, analytical, communication and teamwork skills. We are delighted to have him on our team,” said Goldberg.“As a numbers guy, using data and statistics for practical insight is what I enjoy, and I’m right at home at Littauer’s Performance Improvement department,” adds McFee. “My background is largely in project management and I’m fortunate to share that with my colleagues, as well.”Interestingly, June 2017 was not McFee’s first interaction with Littauer. In 2000, while at Littauer, he was diagnosed with a severe mitral valve prolapse at age 33. Mitral valve prolapse is a condition in which the two valve flaps of the heart do not close smoothly or evenly, but instead bulge (prolapse) upward into the left atrium.Dr. Michael Holmes of Schenectady Cardiology Associates gave McFee a prognosis of two weeks during surgical consult. McFee claims he would not be alive today without the condition being correctly diagnosed at Littauer.McFee had open-heart surgery immediately thereafter, was found to have an extremely rare bleeding disorder known as Glanzmann’s Thrombasthenia, which caused post-op complications while at Albany Medical Center. He was later seen at Johns Hopkins University Hospital by Dr. Harry Dietz, the world’s leading expert in connective tissue disorders and after whom Loeys-Dietz Disorder is named. McFee was soon diagnosed with a connective tissue disorder not yet identified by medical science, and his DNA remains as a research specimen at Hopkins.Fast-forward to 2017, McFee together with his wife Tabatha, a Special Education Teacher at Mayfield Elementary School, Co-Advisor of Mayfield Elementary School Running Club, created a 12-person team of locals to run the Reebok Ragnar Adirondacks Relay Race where each runner completed three different legs of the 196.2 mile course through the Adirondack Mountains over two days and one night; each runner totaled 11-24 miles during the event depending on which legs they ran.Open-heart surgery survivor Wes McFee was the Team Captain of the team appropriately named “Heart & Sole,” who finished with flying colors and an amazing sense of accomplishment.“Littauer was thrilled for Wes when he was able to compete in Ragnar” said Littauer VP of Marketing/Communications Cheryl McGrattan. “We were stunned when he finished so strongly. Undoubtedly his professional and personal experience will benefit our patients.”Littauer welcomes the education and experience McFee brings to this community hospital.
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.
NLH is now a depot for the NYS Milk Bank Posted on October 30, 2017 by Dakota PikeLittauer Radiologic Technologist, Amanda Fosman with infant daughter Aria, donates excess breastmilk to Littauer’s Milk DepotGLOVERSVILLE, NEW YORK (October 23, 2017) – Nathan Littauer Hospital would like to announce a new partnership with the New York State Milk Bank. According to Nancy Quinlan, RN, IBCLC, OSC, the Littauer’s Birthing Center lactation consultant, The Birthing Center at Littauer is now one of the newest, licensed milk depots in the state.“NLH has always supported breast feeding, in a myriad of ways and now we are very excited about this leap forward,” said Quinlan. “We are now a milk depot for the NYS Milk Bank. This new chapter will improve awareness while bringing in new donor mothers for much-needed donor milk.”“When a woman donates their breast milk to help another baby, the gesture is beyond generous. It strikes at the core of what our community needs most: helping babies get the best start in life,” added Littauer VP of Marketing and Communication, Cheryl McGrattan. “Nathan Littauer is making that process easier as we can now collect store and ship donor milk to the NYS Milk Bank where it will be processed and distributed where it is most-needed.”Donors will go through a required screening process. Once approved, mothers can freeze the extra milk their babies don’t need and bring it to the Littauer depot, located in The Birthing Center at the hospital.Frozen milk soon arrives at the NYS Milk Bank, where it is logged in with a sophisticated tracking system. It is then thawed, analyzed, packaged in tamper-resistant bottles, pasteurized and tested for bacteria. Next, donor milk is dispensed by physician prescription to hospitals and NICUs. Some are also dispensed by physician prescription to medically needy babies at home.Interestingly, one method of delivery is made by the biker group Sirens, also known as the Milk Riders. They deliver much needed breastmilk throughout the New Your City. This group of dedicated riders will be present at Nathan Littauer Hospital for the inaugural delivery. Generally, Littauer will use another method of transport to deliver breastmilk to the NYS Milk Bank.Littauer’s partnership with the NYS Milk Bank is not only unique, but it is also essential for mothers who would like to donate excess breastmilk. This milk is important to save the lives and improve the health outcomes of vulnerably ill or premature babies.“We have gotten reports that our donated breastmilk has helped hurricane impacted babies in the U.S.” added McGrattan.For more information on the Littauer Milk Bank Depot, or to learn more about becoming a donor, please contact Nancy Quinlan at (518) 775-4101 or email nquinlan@nlh.org
Orthopedic spine surgeon, Joseph Popper, MD, welcomed at Littauer Posted on October 3, 2017October 3, 2017 by Dakota PikeNathan Littauer Hospital & Nursing Home proudly announces the addition of Dr. Joseph E. Popper, Orthopedic Spine Surgeon as one of their latest privileged providers. Dr. Popper is joining doctors: Shen, Cecil, and Ortiz at Mohawk Valley Orthopedics.“We are pleased to have Dr. Popper join Littauer,” said Littauer CEO and President, Laurence E. Kelly. “His expertise will improve the quality of life for so many of our patients.”Dr. Popper is an Orthopedic Spine Surgeon specializing in the comprehensive treatment of the neck, back, and spine. He has completed a combined Neurosurgical and Orthopedic Spine Surgery Fellowship at the world-renowned Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota. He is a specialist in cervical spine surgery and minimally-invasive lumbar procedures.“I have been here and I have been highly impressed with the quality of care model Nathan Littauer provides,” said Dr. Popper.You can schedule an appointment with Dr. Popper at Littauer by calling the Mohawk Valley Orthopedics PC, located at 135 S. Kingsboro Ave., Johnstown or call (518) 773-4242.Dr. Joseph Popper
