Convenient Saturday Hours Offered Perth, NY

Closer to you, when you need it….

For patient convenience and comfort, Nathan Littauer Hospital has expanded MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) services to its Perth location. The hospital began offering MRI services recently at their Primary/Specialty Care Center located in Perth at 4104 State Highway 30 in Perth across from the Perthshire. The center is offering Saturday MRI service every other Saturday at the location with their Open Bore MRI technology.

This technology offers patients a larger exam area and faster scans times features which are especially helpful for those people who are claustrophobic.

“We are pleased to expand our services into Perth. We believe our patients will like the greater convenience of Saturday appointments.” explained Laurence E. Kelly, Hospital President and CEO. He added, “In our first week we had more exams scheduled than we anticipated for the location.”

MRI technology helps doctors take highly-defined images of the body’s interior organs and tissues. The equipment uses a strong magnet combined with radio waves pulses to take images inside the body. It is particularly useful for imaging the spine, as well as the soft tissues of joints and the interior structure of bones.

Also, with the hospital’s integrated Electronic Medical Records System, the patient imaging records can be quickly read and interpreted for the prescribing physician to see. The MRI at Nathan Littauer‘s Perth Primary Care Center is the second location available to patients in the region. The hospital will continue to offer MRI services at its campus.

For more information about MRI outpatient diagnostic radiology services, please visit www.radiologyrevolution.com. To schedule an exam, people are encouraged to speak to their health care provider.

Michael Nickerson has a “Heart of Gold”

Michael Nickerson is our Employee of the Year!

Nathan Littauer Hospital & Nursing Home recently awarded their Employee of the Year to Mr. Michael Nickerson. Mr. Nickerson is a Licensed Practical Nurse II, (LPN2) at the Nathan Littauer Nursing Home, a position he has held since 2002.

Mr. Nickerson’s name was announced during an agency-wide celebration by the Hospital’s President and CEO, Laurence E. Kelly. His coworkers, many who made the nominations, explained he “Has a heart of gold” and he “is an excellent role model”. One employee stated that Michael is “A rare gem that shines brightly”.

Mr. Nickerson said thank you to the crowd that had gathered, which included his mother. Mr. Nickerson has explained, “For me this job means everything.” He also added, “I consider everyone I work with family”.

“Nathan Littauer Hospital currently has about 980 employees. Therefore, this is definitely a prestigious award.” said Cheryl McGrattan Hospital spokesperson. Adding, “He is a person who seems to genuinely enjoy coming to work every day. And we frequently get compliments about his excellent clinical skills.” Mr. Kelly has described Michael as “Exemplifying the true meaning of caring and compassion.”

Michael is a deserving award winner. As Employee of the Year Michael receives gift certificates and preferred parking and his picture will appear on Littauer’s Hall of Fame. The Employee of the Year 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.

Nathan Littauer Nursing Home is getting ready for a week long celebration honoring National Nursing Home Week. This year’s theme is “Celebrating the Journey” and is part of the National Nursing Home Week started by The American Health Care Association (AHCA). “We are so proud of the work we do here everyday.” said Leslie Beadle, Vice President and Nursing Home Administrator. “Therefore, we are thrilled to celebrate our nursing home, our wonderful residents and our committed staff.”

Nathan Littauer’s Nursing Home will be joining nursing and rehabilitation facilities nationwide, beginning Mother’s Day, May 13, and continuing through May 19, 2012. This year’s theme was selected to honor those who are “Celebrating the Journey” by serving others, thus adding value to life and helping to overcome many of the infirmities of age and disability. “We want to celebrate those people that make a positive contribution every day. We are also saluting our staff.” Explained Rachel Johnson, Littauer’s Recreational Director. She is heading up the festivities at Littauer. She explains, “We have something planned every day to mark the occasion.”

For Nursing Home Week, Nathan Littauer is announcing the following activities the week of May 13, 2012:

• Sunday, May 13- In honor of Mother’s Day Nursing Home staff will be passing out corsages to all the ladies and hosting a Tea at 2:15 with a violin player.
• Monday, May 14– The Nursing Home will be hosting Jackpot Bingo from 2:15-3:15pm for residents.
• Tuesday, May 15- The Nursing Home will host a Squish Squash Show at 2:15.
• Wednesday, May 16- The Nursing Home will host a patio cocktail party at 2:15 pm. The Nursing Home will be throwing a “Cruise Ship Dinner Buffet from 6-8 pm with a band and cocktail attire with entertainment.
• Thursday, May 17- The Nursing Home will be hosting the “The Ody Show” for the residents from 2:15-3:15 pm. At 6:30 there will be Smore’s by the campfire.
• Friday, May 13– 6:30 Line dancing demonstration.
• Saturday, May 14- 10:30 Cruise Games and at 2:15 a baking class will be held.

Nathan Littauer Nursing Home is an 84-bed skilled nursing facility providing short and long-term rehabilitation for people of all ages. They are tireless advocates for quality care and services recognizing each person’s individuality. The Nursing Home’s compassionate and caring employees provide essential care to people in our area. Along with a long-term residence, the center has been instrumental in helping hundreds of people return to their homes through careful rehabilitation. The Nursing Home opened in 1972 and has been recognized by the State for their excellence in care. The Nursing Home currently employs approximately 115 people.

Nathan Littauer Celebrates Hospital Week

Nathan Littauer 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 like Nathan Littauer are central to a healthy and optimistic community. That’s the message Littauer organizers are touting with the 2012 National Hospital Week theme “Making Miracles Happen.” The event theme is the centerpiece of a promotional campaign aimed at uniting health care facilities across the country during the May 6–12 celebration.

Littauer is an important part of our community

“National Hospital Week, first and foremost, is a celebration of people,” Laurence E. Kelly, Hospital President and CEO said.

“We’re extremely proud of each member of our Littauer 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 2012, including:

“National Hospital Week, first and foremost, is a celebration of people,” Laurence E. Kelly, Hospital President and CEO said.

Employees will enjoy Ice Cream Sundaes and can eat lunch while being serenaded by Nate’s Notes led by Pianist Pat Travis-Doull. Employees can Relax with Therapeutic Touch. Employees can enjoy the Annual Hospital Week BBQ served by our management team featuring the sounds of the Gloversville Jazz Band while employees dine. They are offering Massage Therapy and Friday the hospital will host Zumba Demonstration.

For more information, call Cheryl McGrattan @ 773-5533.

A note from Nathan Littauer: Our region, like many regions, is seeing a tremendous amount of tick activity. Our Emergency Department is seeing tick bites almost on a daily basis and we are bracing for an early and active tick season. We truly want to get the message of Tick Bite Prevention to our community.

To do so, we are bringing in the internationally recognized Dr. Thomas Mather, of the University of Rhode Island, Director of the Vector Borne Diseases Department. We will also have a local panel featuring: Fulton County Public Health Director Denise Fredrick, RN, BSN; our Director of Emergency Medicine, Dr. Todd Duthaler and Vetrinarian Dr. Melanie Santspree. Dont miss this FREE and importnat event:

Monday, May 14, 2012

6:30 PM

Johnstown Holiday Inn

308 North Comrie Avenue, Johnstown, NY 12095

RSVP by emailing us at ticks@nlh.org or by calling 518-773-5533.

Lactation consultant and counselors at Littauer strive to increase breast feeding rates locally

Nancy Quinlan, RN, and Lactation Consultant works with a new breast feeding mother, Nicole VanNostrand and her baby Chloe.

Nathan Littauer Hospital is joining the International Lactation Consultant Association in celebrating IBCLC Day on March 7, 2012. This year’s theme “IBCLCs Make an Impact” highlights how the expertise of International Board Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLCs) can make a difference in the health and well being of children and their mothers. Nathan Littauer has one lactation consultant and 4 lactation counselors, more than any other hospital in the region. Nancy Quinlan, RN and IBCLC has been employed at Nathan Littauer for two years. She explains, “I have chosen to be a lactation consultant because I truly believe it makes a lasting impact, from birth and beyond.”

IBCLCs have years of training and continuing study to enable them to inform, assist and support women during pregnancy, early days after birth and as the baby grows including: getting off to a good start with breastfeeding, continuing to breastfeed after returning to work or school, breastfeeding a premature or sick infant, and preventing and managing challenges that might occur. Kelly Hartz, the manager of Nathan Littauer’s Birthing Center explains, “Our Lactation Consultant and counselors are the very definition of supportive. They call patients at home, come in to help struggling mothers on their day off and hold free weigh-ins for nursing moms so that they can monitor their success. It really is a process and our lactation consultants are there every step of the way for our moms.” Nancy agrees noting, “Anything I can do to support a mom, I will.”

“The process to become an IBCLC is very rigorous. For example, Nancy must recertify her credentials every five years and take the entire exam over again every ten years. It is a serious process meant for only those who are very committed to breast feeding support.” states Kelly Hartz. Adding “And Nancy’s expertise and passion will intimately benefit our entire region.”

Nancy Quinlan, a Board Certified Lactation Consultant left and Laureen Steenburg, a licensed practical nurse and lactation counselor work to promote breastfeeding at Littauer.

According to Cathy Carothers, President of the International Lactation Consultant Association, “How an infant is fed can have a lifelong impact on their health. Mother’s milk helps develop a strong immune system that can respond to fight off infections. Nancy Quinlan states, “Breast milk is like liquid gold!” The rising incidence of obesity and diabetes will have a major impact on health, and both these conditions are more likely to develop in children and in mothers when babies are not breastfed. IBCLCs make an impact on the quality of breastfeeding care provided by health services where they are employed and thus an impact for children and mothers.”

There are currently more than 25,000 IBCLCs in 90 countries worldwide who are certified by the International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners (www.iblce.org) under the direction of the U.S. National Commission for Certifying Agencies. The International Lactation Consultant Association (ILCA) is the professional association for IBCLCs and other health care professionals who care for breastfeeding families. ILCA’s mission is to advance the profession of lactation consulting worldwide through leadership, advocacy, professional development, and research. Nancy concludes, “I want mothers to know that this is a unique gift they can give their child.”

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For more information about ILCA, visit the website at www.ilca.org For more information about lactation consulting at Nathan Littauer please visit our website at ww.nlh.org