“The future has arrived”

Nathan Littauer Hospital has purchased and received its first Renaissance Robotic System. MZOR, a developer of innovative surgical robots and complementary products, delivered the system to an eager staff yesterday afternoon. Nathan Littauer provides the finest in state-of-the-art technology and a caring, dedicated staff of health care professionals to the residents of Fulton County and the surrounding communities. Nathan Littauer, as an independent community hospital has a history of being an early adopter of new, therapeutic technologies.

“Littauer’s experience in minimally invasive surgery under Dr. Jian Shen just made history by acquiring this new technology for our grateful community.” stated Laurence E. Kelly Nathan Littauer Hospital’s President and CEO. He explained, “Dr. Shen has performed many ground-breaking surgeries at Nathan Littauer.” He states, “This system is a tool in our minimally-invasive arsenal created for patients who suffer from debilitating spine pain. However, it is our team, with Dr. Shen at the helm that makes Littauer unique.” He concluded, “The future has arrived.”

“This is another key endorsement of our Renaissance system and further reflects the continued momentum we are experiencing in the northeastern U.S. market,” commented Ori Hadomi, Chief Executive Officer. “Within just the past few days we have installed our first two systems in New York, so we will be entering the second half of 2013 with momentum and a wider installed footprint in the northeastern U.S. This is an encouraging development, and it clearly demonstrates, both from a clinical and an economic proposition, that surgeons and hospital administrators are seeing the advantages of using our Renaissance systems.”

Cheryl McGrattan, Hospital Spokesperson notes, “Renaissance, which is the only FDA approved surgical guidance system for spine surgeries, has already proven to be highly effective and safe, with an efficacy rate near 99%.” She added, “Naturally, we wanted to leverage its advanced capabilities with the expertise of our leading orthopedic team to offer better and safer patient outcomes.”

Dr. Jian Shen, who will be performing the surgeries, agreed stating, “I am pleased to bring this minimally invasive surgical approach to Nathan Littauer Hospital and the Upstate New York region.” He added, “Ultimately it is the patient who will benefit. Time and time again, that is where my focus lies – to create outstanding outcomes for my patients.”

Local schools and Nathan Littauer to celebrate

National Bike or Walk to School Day May 8- 15, 2013

Nathan Littauer Hospital and schools from the Johnstown and Gloversville School districts  will join others from around the nation to celebrate National Bike or Walk to School Day on May 8 and throughout the following week.   The collaboration is with the schools, Public Health of Fulton County and local schools.   

Hundreds of students from Glebe Street and Park Terrace Elementary Schools will be walking and rolling to school Wednesday along with parents, teachers and community leaders.

Glebe Street students will walk or bike from home in the company of family or friends.  Glebe is holding a second walk or bike to school day one week later on May 15^th.  Students who participate in both events will have their name entered in a prize drawing.  For Park Terrace, the event will begin at 8 am with students, school staff, parents and community leaders walking or biking from the park at the intersection Park and Forrest Streets to school.  Participants will arrive at the school at in time for a special healthy breakfast and have their name entered in a prize drawing as well. 

Feedback from students who participated in last year’s walk to school days said they liked spending time with family and friends, recognizing that is was also good for them.  Many noted that they could concentrate in better school after their early morning exercise.  The event is being organized by the respective school with support from Nathan Littauer’s HealthLink, Fulton County Public Health and the Johnstown and Gloversville Police Departments.  HealthLink Director, Sue Cridland, said that these type of events are relatively easy to implement.. the key is having a few committed staff members at each school who are willing to promote the idea. 

In 2011, International Walk to School Day was celebrated at more than 4,000 events at schools across the United States, along with children and adults in 40 countries around the world.

Walk to School Day events raise awareness of the need to create safer routes for walking and bicycling and emphasize the importance of issues such as increasing physical activity among children, pedestrian safety, traffic congestion and concern for the environment. The events build connections between families, schools and the broader community.

For additional local information, please contact Sue Cridland, Director of Community Education for Nathan Littauer Hospital , (518) 736-1120

For additional information, please visit these websites:

Walk to School Day in the USA                              www.walkbiketoschool.org                

National Center for Safe Routes to School                www.saferoutesinfo.org

International Walk to School Day                               www.iwalktoschool.org

About Walk to School Day

• Walk to School Day was established in the United States in 1997 by the Partnership for a Walkable America. Canada and Great Britain already had walk to school programs in place.  In 2000, these three countries joined together to create International Walk to School Day. 
• The National Center for Safe Routes to School serves as the national coordinating agency for Walk to School activities in the United States. 
• Walk to School Day began as a simple idea – children and parents, school and local officials walking to school together on a designated day. It is an energizing event, reminding everyone of the simple joy of walking to school, the health benefits of regular daily activity, and the need for safe places to walk and bike. Schools focus on health, safety, physical activity and concern for the environment.
• Organizations supporting International Walk to School Day in the United States include America Walks, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the Federal Highway Administration, the Institute of Transportation Engineers, the National Center for Bicycling and Walking, the National Center for Safe Routes to School, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Safe Kids Worldwide, and the Safe Routes to School National Partnership.

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Congratulations to our own Kathie Rohrs, MSN, RN, CDE, a  Patient Education Coordinator and Diabetes Educator at Littauer who was awarded the prestigious Ellen Burns Award by the Nursing Organization from Fulton, Montgomery and Schenectady counties last week. The Award is given annually to a nurse who has a vision of nursing and consistently explores new perspectives for meeting nursing challenges of the future by: articulating this vision into his/her own area of practice and assisting colleagues, new graduates, and students through support and role modeling, to embrace the vision. The organization also look for a change agent. That is,  someone who promotes a positive image of nursing to the community through role-modeling and empowerment of self and others. She  provides professional and/or community education, and  she continuously strives toward professional growth. They also recognized Kathie for her excellence  in nursing through assisting students and colleagues to meet personal and professional goals and by  assisting the community to meet health needs and expectations.

Laurence E. Kelly, Hospital President and CEO states, “We are immensely proud of Kathie Rohrs and her outstanding work in the field of diabetic counseling and management. There are hundreds of people in our region who are walking examples of her work. They are the people who are living life to the fullest because of Kathie’s encouragement, skill and counsel after being diagnosed with diabetes.” He added, “We have always known her to be a passionate, committed nurse. It was only a matter of time before she was recognized for her work in this field.”  

National Hospital Week Puts

Spotlight on People

A hospital is more than a place where people go to heal, it is a part of the community that fosters health and represents hope. From providing treatment and comfort to the sick, to welcoming new life into the world, hospitals are central to a healthy and optimistic community. That’s the message organizers are touting with the 2013 National Hospital Week theme “A Guiding Light for Changing Times.” National Hospital Week is May 12-18^th of this year.

Nathan Littauer is also celebrating National Nursing Home Week the same week.  “National Hospital Week, first and foremost, is a celebration of people,” stated Laurence E. Kelly, Littauer‘s President and CEO said. “We’re extremely proud of each member of our staff and we recognize the important role they play in extending a sense of trust to our patients and our communities.”

The nation’s largest health care event, National Hospital Week dates back to 1921 when it was suggested by a magazine editor who hoped a community wide celebration would alleviate public fears about hospitals. The celebration, launched in Chicago, succeeded in promoting trust and goodwill among members of the public and eventually spread to facilities across the country. A full slate of community activities is planned for 2013. At a picnic May 16^th employees will be recognized for their dedication to the Littauer Family of Health Services.  In celebration the hospital plans the following activities:

Monday:                               

 Tuesday:                             

 Wednesday:                                   

Thursday:                           

Friday:                                  

According to the American Hospital Association, “Hospitals are: Economic Contributors, Gateways to Care, and Centers of Innovation. Improving Community Health and Committed to Quality and Safety.”