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Littauer CEO Set to Retire in October

January 23, 2020

GLOVERSVILLE, NY – Nathan Littauer Hospital & Nursing Home President & CEO, Laurence E. Kelly, will retire effective October 2, after a successful administrative health care career spanning 41 years; 19 of them at the helm of the Gloversville-based hospital.

“It has been an absolute pleasure,” Kelly says. “It has been the privilege of a lifetime to serve the Gloversville community and this region.”

Kelly has led Littauer during a period of tremendous growth and financial stability. The hospital’s total net assets increased nearly sevenfold from $13.3 million in 2001; when Kelly began as CEO to $90 million in 2019. This period was also marked by an increase in jobs. In 2001, the hospital had 656.5 full-time equivalents (FTEs). By 2019, that number had grown to 807.5. Littauer’s footprint has expanded as well, adding eight primary care centers, spanning a total of 52 square miles within the region.

 

President and CEO of Nathan Littauer Hospital & Nursing Home, Laurence E. Kelly

Kelly explains, “I think we have achieved these milestones because of two factors: I work with a fearless, creative team. Because of the employees here, I enjoy coming to work each day. I really like my colleagues. That makes a huge difference. The second piece is that we have invested our positive operating margin back into our hospital. In essence, we have paid ourselves first. I think it has worked. With a positive operating budget, we have saved for our future and simultaneously secured sophisticated technology and improved access to care.”

“Larry has great insight and vision in the health care industry,” says Gregory Truckenmiller, Ph.D., Chair of the Littauer Board of Directors. “He has been adaptable amidst constant change in the industry and had the courage to make decisions others had difficulty with. It is because he took those risks that Littauer has remained independent, committed to quality, and achieved 18 consecutive years operating in the black while many rural hospitals around the country are struggling or even closing.”
“Medical staff who have worked at other hospitals often observe that the equipment we provide our surgeons and radiologists is much better than what they have used at other, often larger hospitals,” said Frederick Goldberg, M.D., Littauer Vice President of Medical Affairs and Chief Medical Officer. “Under his guidance we have been able to offer:

• minimally invasive spine surgery
• advanced diagnostic imaging technologies
• critical care telemedicine
• state-of-the-art maternity facilities
• a dialysis center that is attached to the hospital and nursing home.

These medical and technological advancements mean better care for our patients,” Dr. Goldberg adds. “It helps recruit talented physicians to the area. None of this would have been possible without the vision and leadership of Mr. Kelly.”

“Influential leaders are a rare breed,” said Stephanie Fishel, Littauer Chief Nursing Officer. “Larry Kelly is an influential leader. He mentors the strengths of his team members and sets us up to succeed. Under his leadership, our nursing care has evolved, strengthening our foundation in patient safety, clinical skills, and more. Because of him, our patients experience state-of-the-art technology and expert care-givers right here in our rural community.”

Kelly adds, “My goal has always been to build an independent organization that can quickly respond to the unique needs of this community. We also needed to stand on solid footing. I wanted to build a hospital for this generation and the next.”

The Littauer Board of Directors will begin work immediately to recruit Kelly’s successor. Littauer staff, volunteers, and others will celebrate his contributions to the organization and community at an event in September. Details will be forthcoming.

A fund is being established at the Nathan Littauer Hospital Foundation to honor his years of service and leadership. More information on the details of that fund will be shared as soon as possible.

Kelly noted, “I am grateful for the visionary leadership of Littauer board members past and present, the talented and dedicated team of professionals with whom I’ve had the pleasure of working with, the selfless donors and volunteers who support the hospital with such enthusiasm, and the people who consistently choose us for their health care. I will leave Littauer with a great sense of pride, knowing what we’ve accomplished together is meaningful and will matter to this community for generations to come.”

“There never is a perfect time to leave,” Kelly explains. “But I wanted to go out on a high-note without worrying about our future. This feels like the right time.” Truckenmiller agrees. “He will be missed, but he has positioned us perfectly for Littauer’s next chapter. On behalf of a grateful board of directors, we are committed to making sure his legacy will continue.”

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About Nathan Littauer
Nathan Littauer Hospital and Nursing Home is a full-service, 74 bed acute care hospital with an 84 bed skilled nursing home. Since 1894, Nathan Littauer has provided safe, high-quality health and wellness services with a focus on securing appropriate new technologies for people residing in Upstate New York. Over the years, the hospital has expanded its services in order to offer health care that is comprehensive, accessible, and relevant to the needs of the communities they serve. More information can be found by visiting www.nlh.org.

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Wellness Words 2020

January 15, 2020

HealthLink Littauer’sAlicia DeRuscio-Head

WELLNESS WORDS

Submitted by Alicia DeRuscio, B.S.

 

Eye Health

When you think of good health, you probably picture someone free of illness or chronic conditions. What about someone with good eye health? Your eyes are an important part of your body – they help you see, connect with, and experience the world around you.

According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO), your eyes experience many changes as you age. For example, some of the cells in your eyes, called rod cells, are more likely to break down over time. These cells are responsible for helping your eyes focus and adjust, and are affected by certain lifestyle factors including smoking or excessive sun exposure. As rod cells break down, you may experience trouble with your vision.

The AAO lists several common problems that older adults experience with age:

  • A gradual loss in ability to see things up close, known as presbyopia.
  • Difficulty adjusting or focusing eyes when moving from a poor-lit area to a well-lit area, or vice versa.
  • Difficulty adjusting to light or dark when driving, especially in the rain.
  • Contrast sensitivity, or trouble separating an image from its background with a similar color or tone.

Aging also makes you more likely to develop eye diseases such as age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma or cataracts. Many eye diseases do not have any signs or symptoms, so it’s important to keep your eyes healthy and get them checked regularly.

In order to maintain good eye health, the National Eye Institute (NIH) recommends:

  • Getting a dilated eye exam every year to check for eye diseases.
  • Wearing sunglasses that block 99 to 100 percent of UVA and UVB radiation.
  • Wearing protective eyewear such as goggles or safety glasses when playing sports or performing manual labor.
  • Giving your eyes a rest every 20 minutes when looking at a computer or TV screen.
  • Washing your hands before putting in or taking out contacts.
  • Disinfecting contact lenses and replacing them regularly

As with any health-related disease, it’s also important to maintain good physical health in order to protect your eyes. Adopting healthy lifestyle habits like eating a nutritious diet, getting adequate sleep, quitting smoking and getting regular physical activity can decrease the risk of developing eye diseases.

Certain foods, like spinach, kale, tuna, halibut and salmon are beneficial to eye health. Sleeping also promotes eye health by providing continuous lubrication, helping eyes to rid themselves of dust or other irritants that may have built up during the day.

While some changes in vision naturally occur because of age, others do not. Low vision, or vision loss that makes daily activities difficult, is usually the result of an eye disease. Low vision can include both losses of central and side vision, as well as blurred or hazy vision. Common symptoms include difficulty reading, driving, shopping or recognizing faces.

If you experience low vision or have trouble with any of these tasks, be sure to contact your eye doctor. Scheduling a visit with an eye doctor will help determine if you have an eye condition and provide you with resources to aid with low vision.

For more information on healthy lifestyles, contact HealthLink Littauer at 518-736-1120. You can email us at healthlink@nlh.org or visit our wellness center at 2 Colonial Court in downtown Johnstown.  We’re your community health & wellness service of Nathan Littauer Hospital and Nursing Home.

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Littauer’s Baby of the Year!

January 6, 2020

GLOVERSVILLE, NY – A couple battling a snow squall on their way to The Birthing Center at Nathan Littauer Hospital may not have realized they would be bringing home a little celebrity. Barbara Ralph and Daniel Williams, who traveled all the way from Speculator, ended up having the local New Year’s Day Baby!

Barbara checked into Littauer’s Birthing Center at 3:34 p.m. on December 31st.

Mother; Barbara Ralph, and Father; Daniel Williams, were very excited to bring baby Daniel into this world. “I was so excited for Daniel,” mom says.

Mother and Father of Baby Daniel pictured with Nathan Littauer’s Auxiliary.

21 hours and seven minutes after check-in, Baby Daniel Scott Williams, was born January 1st at 1:31 p.m. He weighed 8 lbs. and 2 oz. with a length of 21”, making him the very first baby delivered at Nathan Littauer Hospital for the year 2020.

Holding Daniel, dad says, “He is a very peaceful and happy baby.”

As tradition, Nathan Littauer’s Auxiliary made a donation to the family of the Baby of the Year. Littauer’s Auxiliary donated over 200 dollars in special gifts for little Daniel and his parents.

Inside the gift basket, are: clothes for baby Daniel, blankets, pacifiers, and little plush toys. President of Nathan Littauer’s Auxiliary, Norma Cozzolino, Director of Nathan Littauer’s Volunteer Services, Sue McNeil, Auxiliary Volunteer, Fran Mosconi, all presented the basket to little Daniel and his family.

“This is so nice,” says mom. “We’re very happy to have had our baby with Littauer.”

Mom and Dad are very excited. They look forward to bringing Daniel home.

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About Nathan Littauer

Nathan Littauer Hospital and Nursing Home is a full-service, 74 bed acute care hospital with an 84 bed skilled nursing home. Since 1894, Nathan Littauer has provided safe, high-quality health and wellness services with a focus on securing appropriate new technologies for people residing in Upstate New York. Over the years, the hospital has expanded its services in order to offer health care that is comprehensive, accessible, and relevant to the needs of the communities they serve.  More information can be found by visiting www.nlh.org.

 

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Wellness Words December 2019

December 18, 2019

HealthLink Littauer’sAlicia DeRuscio-Head

WELLNESS WORDS

Submitted by Alicia DeRuscio, B.S.

Community Education Assistant

 

Preventing Illness During The Holidays

The holidays provide us with a great opportunity to celebrate life, reflect on what’s most important to us and spend time with family and friends. However, the holidays can also expose us to many germs, especially if we must travel or prepare meals for relatives, leaving our bodies susceptible to illness.  This holiday season, be mindful of your health and take some extra steps to prevent spreading germs to both yourself and others.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), one of the most important things we can do to prevent sickness both during the holidays and throughout the year is to properly wash our hands. In order to eliminate and prevent the spread of germs, the CDC recommends the following:

  • Wash hands with clean, running water.
  • Lather your hands with soap and be sure to rub the backs of your hands, in between your fingers and underneath your nails.
  • Scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds.
  • Rinse your hands thoroughly with clean, running water.
  • Dry your hands with a clean towel or let them air dry.
  • If you do not have clean, running water and soap, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
  • Apply the sanitizer to the palm of your hand and rub both hands together.
  • Make sure all parts of your hands are covered with sanitizer and continue rubbing them together until they are completely dry.

As many of us touch our face, mouth and eyes without even realizing it, following these handwashing steps will help minimize the spread of germs.

It’s important that we utilize proper hand-washing during travel time, too. The American Automobile Association (AAA) estimates that over 100 million Americans travel during holiday time.  With so many people entering airplanes, buses or trains, there’s a vast amount of germs spread throughout these areas.

If you are planning to travel, make sure to carry an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with you for your hands as well as other surfaces. If you are traveling on an airplane, bus or train, sanitize areas such as tray tables, arms rests and bathroom door handles before touching them.  If you use the bathroom, avoid touching bathroom surfaces; turn the sink off with a clean, dry paper towel and use the paper towel to open the bathroom door.  Practicing these small hygiene habits will ensure fewer germs are spread to both you and those you’re traveling to see.

While you may not necessarily have to travel on an airplane, bus or train, you will likely still enjoy a holiday meal with loved ones. Whether you are cooking for family or going to relative or friend’s house, it’s important to practice proper food safety.  If you or a loved one plans to cook, follow the CDC’s four steps to food safety:

  • Step 1: Clean – Make sure to wash hands and all kitchen surfaces with warm, soapy water before preparing food.
  • Step 2: Separate – Keep raw meat, seafood, poultry and eggs separated from one another as well as from other foods. Make sure to use different cutting boards when preparing each item and keep them stored in separate containers.
  • Step 3: Temperature – Cooking foods to high temperatures will kill germs and prevent illness. Be sure to use a food thermometer to determine if foods such as whole cuts of meat, fish, poultry and ham are cooked properly. If you have to thaw foods, do so in the refrigerator, microwave, or in cold water. Avoid thawing foods on the counter because bacteria can grow more quickly at room temperature.
  • Step 4: Chill – After the meal, refrigerate all perishable food items within two hours. Refrigerators should be kept below 40 degrees Fahrenheit. 

Handwashing, travel hygiene and food safety are all important in preventing illness in combination with practicing healthy habits. Don’t forget to continue consuming a healthy, well-balanced diet, drinking enough fluids and getting proper sleep over the holidays. While we may not always be able to avoid germs, following these guidelines will help decrease your risk of getting sick this holiday season.

For more information on preventing illness, contact your healthcare provide or call HealthLink Littauer at 518-736-1120. You can email us at healthlink@nlh.org or visit our wellness center at 2 Colonial Court in downtown Johnstown.  We’re your community health & wellness service of Nathan Littauer Hospital and Nursing Home.

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Brandis, MD, Wins Reader’s Choice Award

December 6, 2019

GLOVERSVILLE, NY – Robert Brandis, MD, of Nathan Littauer Hospital & Nursing Home was chosen as the Reader’s Choice for The Leader Herald.

“Dr. Brandis is yet another Gem in the Adirondacks,” says Cheryl McGrattan, Vice President of Marketing and Communications of Littauer. “We’re glad to have him as one of our providers – our patients are too!”

Dr. Brandis was voted as the best Doctor and Physician in the Adirondack region.

“We’re honored to have Dr. Brandis in our midst,” says Patrice McMahon Vice President of Littauer’s Primary Care Centers. “We say thank you to our staff and our community as Dr. Robert Brandis wins this award.”

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About Nathan Littauer

Nathan Littauer Hospital and Nursing Home is a full-service, 74 bed acute care hospital with an 84 bed skilled nursing home. Since 1894, Nathan Littauer has provided safe, high-quality health and wellness services with a focus on securing appropriate new technologies for people residing in Upstate New York. Over the years, the hospital has expanded its services in order to offer health care that is comprehensive, accessible, and relevant to the needs of the communities they serve.  More information can be found by visiting www.nlh.org.

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A Gift of Artful Healing

December 6, 2019

GLOVERSVILLE, NY – Recently, Mr. Joseph Rossi made a generous donation to Nathan Littauer’s Auxiliary, a volunteer service within Nathan Littauer Hospital & Nursing Home. Mr. Rossi made the sole donation of $17,000 funding a large format art installation. The tiled, mosaic waterfall mural was revealed in Littauer’s Reflection Garden this past August. The mural is a tribute to Mr. Rossi’s wife, JoAnn Rossi, and other loved ones who have passed. Jo Ann worked with Nathan Littauer’s Auxiliary for 12 years.

The mural was created by artists Tammy Merendo, Linda Biggers, and Susan Ruscitto. It was also a collaborative effort of numerous Littauer employees and volunteers. The mosaic was not only created to represent our spirituality and humanity, but it was made to honor loved ones who have passed.

“It is made of stained glass, agate, clay, and Love,” says Sue McNeil, Director of Volunteer Services. “Jo Ann loved working in our Extended Care Facility. She would visit each and every resident, if time allowed.”

“Art is most needed where you don’t expect to find it,” says Cheryl McGrattan, Vice President of Marketing and Communications with Littauer. “A hospital is a place where joy and sorrow meet all too often. The memories of those passed will continue to live-on through the mural.”

To honor Mr. Rossi’s generous donation, Nathan Littauer’s Auxiliary purchased a plaque to commemorate Jo Ann.

“Being an Auxiliary member runs in the family,” says Mr. Rossi. “My mother was an Auxilian with Littauer for over 20 years. So, my wife and I found it very fitting to be involved with the auxiliary.”

Mr. Rossi wants people to know about Jo Ann. He explains, “She was an extremely caring person and would always come and visit with the residents in the Extended Care Facility.” It’s very fitting for the mural and plaque to have a place in the Reflection Garden, where they would share time together.

President and CEO of Littauer, Laurence E. Kelly, Director of Volunteer Services with Littauer, Sue McNeil, President of Littauer’s Auxiliary, Norma Cozzolino, and Mr. Rossi had gathered November 12, to pay homage to Jo Ann.

The plaque reads:

“In Loving Memory of Jo Ann Rossi –

‘If there was a resident in the Nursing Home who had no one coming to visit them, I would be there. I loved visiting with the residents, sharing stories, and listening to them talk about their wonderful lives.’

Donated by Husband and Best Friend – Joseph”

Mr. Rossi reflects on the meaningfulness of the plaque and mural:

“Thank you to Nathan Littauer Hospital & Nursing Home and The Auxiliary for all the good deeds they perform each and every day. The Auxilians are a special group of people that are dedicated to making a difference in the lives of others. It is an honor to support this outstanding organization by donating the funding for the beautiful mosaic waterfall mural. It is in memory of my wife, Jo Ann, who was one of those dedicated Auxilians and in memory of other loved ones.”

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About Nathan Littauer
Nathan Littauer Hospital and Nursing Home is a full-service, 74 bed acute care hospital with an 84 bed skilled nursing home. Since 1894, Nathan Littauer has provided safe, high-quality health and wellness services with a focus on securing appropriate new technologies for people residing in Upstate New York. Over the years, the hospital has expanded its services in order to offer health care that is comprehensive, accessible, and relevant to the needs of the communities they serve. More information can be found by visiting www.nlh.org.

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INTRODUCING QUICK N SICK

December 4, 2019

Need medical care on the weekend?

QUICK N SICK is YOUR primary care- when you need it most. Introducing Littauer’s QUICK N SICK, urgent and primary care offered every weekend by the providers you trust most. And yes, walk-ins are welcomed.  You need not be a current patient. Visit us at the Gloversville Primary Care Center, next to the hospital, 8:00 am -4:30 pm Saturdays and Sundays.  99 East State Street, Gloversville, NY 12078. Call 518-773-5690 for more information or to book an appointment.

Offering primary and urgent care on the weekends! Saturdays and Sundays 8:00 am -4:30 pm in our Primary Care offices on 99 East State Street

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