Littauer presents check to Make-A-Wish Northeast New York Posted on January 30, 2015 by Dakota PikeGLOVERSVILLE – The Nathan Littauer Hospital & Nursing Home’s Courtesy Counsel annual Holiday Basket raffle raised $5400 for Make-A-Wish Northeast New York this year. The donation remains local for a medically eligible child. Over 20 baskets were donated from departments throughout the hospital and nursing home. “The employees here at Nathan Littauer are very giving and willing to help their community” said Moshgan Jones, NLH Courtesy Counsel Chairperson. “Each department is so creative.” “Every year we support a local community non-profit organization, and typically raise $5000,”said Jones. “We are thrilled that Make-A-Wish gives back so greatly to those in our community. We met the recipient of last year’s donation, and it meant to world to our employees.” For the second year in a row, the NLH Courtesy Counsel has partnered with Make-A-Wish Northeast New York. In the course of two and a half days on Dec. 10, 11 and 12, 2014 employees and guests of NLH brought $5400 for the fundraiser. Receiving the check for Make-A-Wish Northeast New York was the foundation’s CEO, Dr. William Trigg. He told the crowd gathered at the celebration, “Know that you are bringing hope, strength, and joy to a special child with this generous donation.” Adding “We can’t thank you enough for your generosity and this money will be used locally to make a child’s wish come true.” Make-A-Wish grants the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy. Since 1987, Make-A-Wish Northeast New York has granted nearly 1,500 wishes in the 518 area code and currently grants 90 to 100 wishes each year. Littauer CEO and President Laurence Kelly, left, Littauer Courtesy Council Chairman Moshgan Jones and Make-A-Wish CEO Bill Trigg
Visitation guidelines announced Posted on December 18, 2014 by Dakota PikeALBANY, N.Y., December 16, 2014 — Visitation guidelines are being implemented at several regional hospitals to further protect patients from influenza and other infectious diseases. These actions are being taken in response to increasing numbers of cases of influenza (Type A-H3N2) across the state and in this region.The guidelines will be implemented in all hospitals joining this announcement by Friday, December 19, 2014.Hospitals implementing the restrictions include Albany Medical Center; Nathan Littauer Hospital; St. Peter’s Health Partners acute care hospitals including Albany Memorial Hospital, Samaritan Hospital, St. Mary’s Hospital (Troy), St. Peter’s Hospital, and Sunnyview Rehabilitation Hospital; Ellis Medicine acute care hospitals including Bellevue Woman’s Center and Ellis Hospital; Glens Falls Hospital; Columbia Memorial Hospital; St. Mary’s Healthcare (Amsterdam); and Saratoga Hospital.The restrictions include the following:A maximum of two visitors will be permitted in a patient’s room at any one time.Children 12 and under will be prohibited from visiting patients’ rooms, as they are more likely to have and transmit respiratory infections.Visitors with rash, diarrhea or respiratory symptoms will be prohibited from visiting patients. These symptoms include fever, sore throat, cough, shortness of breath.The hospitals also are urging all visitors to use hand-washing stations before entering and upon leaving a patient’s room. Hand sanitizers are available at many hospital entrances and at many other locations throughout these hospitals, including the doorways of many patient rooms.Some hospitals have special care units or physical layouts which may have additional visitation restrictions.Hospital officials said there is a potential that this flu season could be more severe as one of the strains circulating is not in the vaccine. They advised that it is still important to get vaccine, as it offers protection against other circulating strains and will reduce the likelihood of severe illness.The same guidelines announced today were developed and temporarily implemented in previous years to address influenza outbreaks. These temporary restrictions are intended to help limit the transmission of the virus and protect the health and safety of patients and the professionals who provide their care during the outbreak.
Littauer Primary Care earns national recognition Posted on December 18, 2014 by Dakota PikeLittauer Primary Care earns national recognition for Patient-Centered CareNCQA Patient-Centered Medical Home™ standards emphasize enhanced care through patient-clinician partnershipGLOVERSVILLE—The(NCQA) announced the Primary and Specialty Care Centers of Nathan Littauer Hospital have received NCQA Patient-Centered Medical Home (PCMH) Recognition for using evidence-based, patient-centered processes that focus on highly coordinated care and long‐term, participative relationships. “We are pleased that the NCQA has recognized our high-quality of medical care being provided at all eight of our Primary and Specialty Care Centers. We have all focused on becoming a Patient-Centered Medical Home (PCMH) because we believe that is what is best for our community” said Patrice McMahon, Vice President of Primary Care for Littauer. “We have collaborated with our entire medical team and spent the last several years investing in and reforming our practice to provide better, more comprehensive care for our patients.“ The NCQA Patient-Centered Medical Home is a model of primary care that combines teamwork and information technology to improve care, improve patients’ experience of care and reduce costs. Medical homes foster ongoing partnerships between patients and their personal clinicians, instead of approaching care as the sum of episodic office visits. Each patient’s care is overseen by clinician-led care teams that coordinate treatment across the health care system. Research shows that medical homes can lead to higher quality and lower costs, and can improve patient and provider reported experiences of care. “NCQA Patient-Centered Medical Home Recognition raises the bar in defining high-quality care by emphasizing access, health information technology and coordinated care focused on patients,” said NCQA President Margaret E. O’Kane. “Recognition shows that Littauer has the tools, systems and resources to provide its patients with the right care, at the right time.” To earn recognition, which is valid for three years, Littauer demonstrated the ability to meet the program’s key elements, embodying characteristics of the medical home. NCQA standards aligned with the joint principles of the Patient-Centered Medical Home established with the American College of Physicians, the American Academy of Family Physicians, the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Osteopathic Association.To find clinicians and their practices with NCQA PCMH Recognition, visit http://recognition.ncqa.org. NCQA evaluates nine Physician Practice Connections®-Patient Centered Medical HomeTM standards, including 10 “must-pass” elements, which can result in one of three levels of recognition. Level 3 is the highest level of recognition. The PPC-PCMH program reflects the input of the American College of Physicians, American Academy of Family Physicians, American Academy of Pediatrics, American Osteopathic Association, and others. “With a PCMH, our patients’ health should improve as we strive to provide seamless coordinated care” added Littauer’s McMahon. About NCQANCQA is a private, non-profit organization dedicated to improving health care quality. NCQA accredits and certifies a wide range of health care organizations. It also recognizes clinicians and practices in key areas of performance. NCQA’s Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set (HEDIS®) is the most widely used performance measurement tool in health care. NCQA’s Web site (ncqa.org) contains information to help consumers, employers and others make more informed health care choices.XXXNathan Littauer Hospital and Family of Health Services serves Fulton, Montgomery, and Hamilton Counties in Upstate New York with a full-service 74-bed acute care hospital, eight primary care centers, a nursing home and a community education center. The hospital was founded in 1894, has 1,000 employees and recently hosted ground-breaking spine surgeries. For more information please visit www.nlh.org.
Littauer announces Nicole Cleary, the latest Goodwill Award recipient Posted on November 26, 2014 by Dakota PikeGLOVERSVILLE – Nathan Littauer Hospital & Nursing Home has announced Nicole Cleary, a Registration Representative in Littauer’s Patient Registration is the recipient of the Goodwill Employee for the third quarter of 2014. Nicole’s positive attitude, genuine smile, along with her friendly and outgoing personality with patients, and co-workers made her an obvious choice for the honor. “Her willingness to go above-and-beyond her job details has created a total success story here at Littauer” said Littauer President and CEO Laurence Kelly. “Employees like Nicole allow us to do here at Littauer what we do best. Work sometimes behind the scenes is critical to our patient success, and allows us to strive with better programs and equipment for the community.” “This is pretty special” said Cleary. “It’s nice to be recognized for something you love to do.” Cleary went on to explain about a patient who was not feeling well and was understandably miserable. “He wasn’t responding to my questions, so I sang them to him. By the end of his visit he jokingly wanted to marry me!”The NLH Goodwill award is given out quarterly and once annually to an employee, recognizing goodwill and promoting “people caring for people.” Nicole received a plaque on the NLH Hall of Fame, a monetary award, and a preferred parking space. Recipients for the award are nominated by NLH employees, providers or patients, and submitted to the Goodwill Committee, where in a blind format they are selected. Quarterly employees are among other nominations for the NLH Goodwill Employee of the Year. PHOTO CAPTION:Littauer President and CEO Laurence Kelly with NLH third quarter Goodwill Award honoree Nicole Cleary
Nathan Littauer Hospital & Nursing Home Auxiliary hosts annual Card/Game Party Fundraiser Posted on November 26, 2014November 26, 2014 by Dakota PikeNathan Littauer Hospital & Nursing Home Auxiliary hosted its annual Card/Game Party fundraiser Wednesday, Oct. 29 at The Holiday Inn in Johnstown.Approximately fifty men and women attended, playing cards and board games, and enjoyed a delicious luncheon. The event raised $2500 to benefit the hospital. Anita Beck and Jeanne Wilkinson co-hosted the event and Suzanne Herrick, Patron Chairman also assisted in fundraiser. Gifts and gift certificates were donated by Laurence Kelly, NLH & NH Gift Shop, Longfellows and Olde Bryan Inn, Wine & Roses Restaurant, Holiday Inn, Union Hall Inn, Sam’s Steak & Seafood, Travers Family Restaurant,The Pizza Joint, Bowman’s Market, Mary Kay Gift Bag by Carl Sleezer, Handmade handbags by Eileen Wrightsman and Gladys Meola, Stained-Glass Butterfly by Mountain Valley Hospice. Winners were Carol Brookins, Barbara Cohen, Katherine Cozzolino, Carol Visconti, Carolyn Kovarik, Betty Burchell, Gladys Meola, Nancy Rodenmacher, Barbara Warner, Ruth Vlock, Sheila Sammons, Eileen Wadsworth, Anne Campos.Prizes and gift certificates were also donated by Pecks Flowers, Al’s Pizzeria, Applebees, Embrees Wine & Spirits, Forget Me Knots, Harold’s Restaurant, Mendetta’s Pizzeria, and the Wine Barrel.The Auxillary would like to thank the patron’s who continue to generously support the Auxiliary’s Card/Game Party: Teresa Beck, Ann Lee Clough, Charlene Ellingwood, Nan Ferguson, Cheryl Horowitz, Elaine Hoye, Monica Kiernan, Nancy Larner, Robert & Carol Maider, Mrs. Paul E. Smith, Lois Widdermer, Ellen Wood, Mrs. Alexander Yvars, Jeanne Wilkinson. Special thanks to Ann Adore, NLH & NH Engineering Department, and thanks to committee members, Mona Capasso, Carolyn Kovarik, Gladys Meola, Nancy Rodenmacher, Antoinette Tropia, Pat Walker, Susan McNeil. Proceeds continue to benefit projects underwritten by the Auxiliary and the Reflection Garden.PHOTO CAPTION:Barbara Warner, left, Nancy Krawczeski, Belinda Germain are having fun playing Mahjong at NLH & NH Auxiliary’s annual Card/Game Party
Littauer welcomes Certified Nurse Midwife Julie Tesi to their Women’s Health staff Posted on November 11, 2014 by Dakota PikeGLOVERSVILLE – Littauer Women’s Health welcomes Certified Nurse Midwife Julie Tesi to the Littauer Family of Health Services. Tesi is bringing her expertise in women’s health to Littauer’s Primary & Specialty Care Centers in Gloversville and Perth, as well as to The Birthing Center at Littauer. “I’m really excited to be working at Littauer” Tesi said. “I have a special connection to this place. I did my clinical training here, my internship, I know many of the patients, and enjoy working with the staff.” Tesi has worked closely with Certified Nurse Midwife Joanne Pepe who has brought thousands of local children into the world, and will continue on with the practice, as well as working together with all other professionals in Littauer’s Obstetrics and Gynecology. Tesi is a local practioner who grew up in Gloversville, played soccer at Gloversville High School, and attended Fulton-Montgomery Community College where she got her Associate of Applied Science in Nursing. She attained her Bachelor of Science in Nursing at Chamberlain University, and her from SUNY Stony Brook School of Nursing. A lifelong supporter of the area, Tesi lives in Johnstown and is the mother of four children. “I believe women need to be made aware of all the health care choices they have available” Tesi added. “I feel it is my responsibility to empower women with these choices. It is that important to me.” Tesi will be assuming retiring midwife Joann Pepe’s patient roster. Pepe was one of Littauer’s most trusted and sought-after midwives. She is responsible for bringing an estimated 2000 babies into the world and treasures every experience. She explains that each was “so meaningful, so special” adding it was, “Such a remarkable time to be with families.” “Julie will be the perfect fit to follow-up with my patients” said Pepe. “As a student, she impressed me from the get-go. She has such a nice way, she talks, she listens – she is so knowledgeable and she conveys it so easily.” Pepe pointed out that Tesi is well prepared for her role, as she started out as a Registered Nurse, has had experience with Medical-Surgical, Oncology and Maternity units. “She is still young, but she is not a kid. She is an experienced labor nurse, and a responsible mother of four.” Pepe said she expects Tesi to have a long and fabulous career at Littauer as a midwife. “She has a gift to share with our patients.”Julie Tesi is accepting new patients, and can be reached at Gloversville Women’s Health at (518) 775-4360 on Mondays and Wednesdays or at Perth Women’s Health at (518) 883-8634 on Tuesdays and Fridays.
