2018 Employee of the Year Posted on April 11, 2019April 12, 2019 by Dakota PikeNathan Littauer Hospital & Nursing Home announced our Employee of the Year last week at the Goodwill Committee’s annual celebration. The winner, Barbara Garrigan was awarded the top honor. Barb works in Nathan Littauer’s Diagnostic Imaging Department as a Staff Nurse. She celebrated her 31st year at Littauer this month. Her coworkers explain, “Barb is calming and compassionate nurse. She is always willing to help her peers while also looking for better ways to care for our patients”.Laurence E. Kelly, President and CEO made the announcement at a hospital gathering comprised of employees and the award recipients’ family members. When her name was announced the audience rose to their feet in a show of support.Upon receiving the award Barb graciously said, “I would like to thank everyone who is here and even those who are not. This is a super honor. But mostly, I would like to thank my coworkers that support me every day.”Patients have gone out of their way to compliment Barb’s clinically-astute, empathic care.“This is my first experience with Nathan Littauer and Barb represented NLH in the most professional and caring way that an employee could. If Barb is a representation of how all our employees care for patients, then NLH has a very good thing going.”As Employee of the Year she will receive: Tickets the hospital’s EVENT, cake for her department, flowers, a plaque, a coveted parking spot and a monetary award.Barb is a native of Mayfield, NY. She and her husband Jay have two children: Jay JR and Emily.The celebration also honored two Littauer team members who were recognized as “Runner-Up” for Employee of the Year.Teresa Sullivan is an LPN at Nathan Littauer’s Family Practice in Gloversville. Teresa was recognized for her outstanding communication skills and excellent nursing skills.Shannon Berhaupt is a Medical Receptionist at Nathan Littauer’s Perth Primary Care Center. Shannon was celebrated for her empathy and kindness and in doing so earning the trust of patients, coworkers and providers.
Nathan Littauer to offer “Healthy Lifestyles for Kids” Class Posted on April 8, 2019April 8, 2019 by Dakota PikeClass to be taught by Clinical Nutrition ManagerLearning healthy lifestyles is an important part of growing up. Nathan Littauer will be offering a class designed specifically for kids.Gloversville, NY…. Nathan Littauer Hospital is pleased to offer CORE 4 KIDS, a comprehensive 9 week nutrition and lifestyle program developed by Registered Dietitian Nutritionists with certificates in Pediatric and Adolescent Weight Management from the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. The class will be taught by Nathan Littauer’s Clinical Nutrition Manager, Erika Winney, MS, RD, CDN. “Learning a healthy lifestyle is an important investment in family wellness. Therefore, we are excited to offer this evidence-based class,” stated Erika Winney.Core 4 Kids is designed to meet the needs of parents, caregivers and physicians who want a fun, safe and educational program that teaches children to make confident lifelong decisions around nutrition and a healthy lifestyle. The program is based on research and scientific evidence. This comprehensive program is designed for children ages 6 and up. During the 9 weeks parents/caregivers and children will learn about basic nutrition, meal planning, portion sizes, snacking, grocery shopping and dining outside the home. Physical activity and positive lifestyle changes are an important part of this program. The children will also learn how self-esteem issues can effect a healthy lifestyle. Please join Nathan Littauer for a FREE INTRODUCTORY SESSION on April 11, 2019 at 4 pm at the hospital auditorium. Each class is one hour in length and the 9 week class is $35 per family with scholarships available for those in need.Littauer’s Clinical Nutrition Manager, Erika Winney, MS, RD, CDN. For further information, please contact Healthlink Littauer at 518-736-1120.
Wellness Words March 2019 Posted on March 14, 2019 by Dakota PikeHealthLink Littauer’sWELLNESS WORDSSubmitted by Alicia DeRuscio, B.S.Community Education Assistant Go For Whole Grains!Celebrate National Nutrition Month by brushing up on your knowledge of what healthy eating really means! According to the United States Department of Agriculture, a healthy diet involves eating all five food groups including fruits, vegetables, grains, protein and dairy.The 2015-2020 Dietary Guidelines For Americans recommends adults consume a variety of fruits and vegetables, switch to non-fat or low-fat dairy products, limit added sugars and saturated fats, and shift towards eating more whole grain foods. Specifically, about half of all grains consumed should be whole grains.So, what’s the difference between a whole grain or a refined (also called processed) grain? A whole grain contains the entire grain kernel and is made up of three layers including the bran or outer layer, the endosperm or middle layer, and the germ or inner layer. According to the Dietary Guidelines For Americans, the outer layer is rich in fiber and contains B vitamins and trace minerals, the middle layer contains carbohydrates and some proteins, and the inner layer is filled with many nutrients including antioxidants, Vitamin E, B vitamins and healthy fats.Unlike a whole grain, a refined grain is processed, meaning parts of the grain are removed. A refined grain only contains the endosperm, or middle layer, so much of the nutrients that benefit your body are taken away when grains are processed.Eating whole grains along with a healthy diet can help reduce the risk for developing some chronic diseases like heart disease or diabetes. To add more whole grains to your diet, the United States Department of Agriculture recommends these tips:Make Simple Shifts – Try choosing 100% whole grain bread, bagels, or pasta instead of white bread, bagels or pasta. Change one or two things at a time until you’ve made half of your grains whole grains.Check The Label – Read the ingredients list to be sure you’re choosing whole grain foods. Foods that are 100% whole grain usually list whole grains as the first ingredient or the second ingredient, after water.Have A Whole Grain Snack – Popcorn is a healthy whole grain snack when made with little salt and no butter. Other whole grain snack options include whole wheat or rye crackers and brown rice cakes.Modify Your Baking Recipes – Try substituting buckwheat or oat flour in your favorite pancake or waffle recipes in place of white flour.Plan Ahead – Cook extra brown rice or quinoa during your free time and refrigerate half of it to enjoy later in the week. This makes it easier to add extra whole grains to your meals.If you would like to learn more, attend a special program on ‘Meal Planning & Grocery Shopping’ presented by Erika Winney MS RD CDN, Littauer’s Clinical Nutrition Manager on March 27 in Littauer’s Auditorium.You are invited to join us for a buffet-style luncheon at 11:30 for $6 or attend the presentation only at 12 noon at no charge. To attend, call HealthLink Littauer at 518-736-1120 or email healthlink@nlh.org. We’re your community health & wellness service of Nathan Littauer Hospital and Nursing Home.
Love Letters to Littauer Posted on February 20, 2019February 20, 2019 by Dakota PikeThis Valentine’s Day, our community sends love letters to Littauer.
Littauer announces Barbara Garrigan, R.N., as Goodwill Award recipient- 4th Quarter 2018 Posted on February 18, 2019 by Dakota PikeNathan Littauer Hospital & Nursing Home Announces Goodwill Award RecipientBarbara Garrigan, R.N. Employee of the 4th Quarter 2018 Littauer 4th quarter 2018 Goodwill Award recipient, Barbara Garrigan, R.N., Staff Nurse Diagnostic Imaging, with Littauer President and CEO Laurence E. KellyGloversville, NY – Nathan Littauer Hospital & Nursing Home congratulates Barbara Garrigan, R.N., Staff Nurse Diagnostic Imaging, for receiving The Goodwill Award-Employee of the 4th Quarter for 2018.Laurence E. Kelly, President and CEO of NLH, presented Barbara with the award on February 7th at a gathering of her peers. Mr. Kelly noted that she received a record-breaking 26 nominations from her from her co-workers.Co-workers and patients alike stated Barbara is always kind and generous with her time, professional, caring and most compassionate, with one patient adding, “If Barb is a representation of how all NLH employees care for patients, then NLH has a very good thing going!”Barbara has worked at NLH & NH since she was 19 years old. She will be celebrating 31 years in April of 2019. Upon receiving the award Barbara stated, “I couldn’t accept this award without including everyone in the department. Thank you for helping me do what I do.”The mission of The Goodwill Award is to recognize goodwill and promote the “People Caring for People” environment toward co-workers, patients and the community of Nathan Littauer Hospital & Nursing Home.Recipients for the award are nominated by NLH employees, providers or patients and submitted to the Goodwill Committee. The winner is selected in blind format. About Nathan Littauer Hospital Nathan Littauer Hospital and Nursing Home is an independent, full-service 74-bed acute care hospital system with on-campus dialysis, an 84-bed skilled nursing home and 10 primary care centers serving Upstate New York. Nathan Littauer provides safe, high-quality health and wellness services with a focus on securing appropriate new technologies in a rural setting. The hospital has nearly 1,000 employees covering a 50-mile footprint. Littauer’s medical staff provides well over 130,000 patient encounters each year. As we celebrate our 125th year of service, the hospital has expanded to offer health care that is comprehensive, accessible, and relevant to the needs of the communities we serve. In March of 2019, Nathan Littauer will open a newly built, state-of-the-art Primary Care Center in Broadalbin, NY. More information can be found by visiting www.nlh.org.
Channel 10 covers Littauer’s NEW TeleSAFE program Posted on February 15, 2019February 15, 2019 by Dakota PikeThank you Channel 10 for the coverage on our NEW TeleSAFE program! Click on the link below to watch the full clip.https://www.news10.com/video/local-hospital-announces-new-program-to-help-sexual-assault-victims_20190214225201/1782842147?fbclid=IwAR3GszGbseIEimhcFsQcSAvr7MbhTq9-cM9GLiNzazTr0BnvsQAYl0Su0-A
Nathan Littauer Hospital announced as the first hospital with virtual SAFE services in New York State Posted on February 14, 2019February 14, 2019 by Dakota PikeFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEUNITED CONCIERGE MEDICINE AND NATHAN LITTAUER HOSPITAL ANNOUNCE INNOVATIVE NEW PARTNERSHIP TO IMPROVE CARE FOR VICTIMS OF SEXUAL ASSAULT Littauer is First Hospital in the State to Offer Program to Improve Care for Victims of Sexual Assault through TelemedicineGloversville, NY – United Concierge Medicine (UCM) and Nathan Littauer today announced a unique and innovative partnership to improve care for sexual assault victims called TeleSAFE.Utilizing a unique approach to care and digital technology, the UCM-administered TeleSAFE program solves the problem of limited access to care for sexual assault victims in NYS by virtually connecting Emergency Department staff with a certified Sexual Assault Forensic Examiner (SAFE). These SAFE-certified providers will then help guide ER staff through the process of the forensic exam. Launched February 1, Nathan Littauer is the first hospital in the State to offer this innovative care model.Laurence E. Kelly, President and CEO of Nathan Littauer Hospital said, “As a rural, independent hospital we always embrace new technology solutions to better serve our community. This new partnership will provide UCM’s innovative and customized virtual care to patients and support to staff, and provide even greater access to care while comforting victims of sexual assault. In the end, it is our patients – even those most vulnerable and in crisis – who will benefit from this partnership.”This program is funded by a $300,000 grant from the New York State Department of Health (DOH), Division of Family Health and a $2.85 million grant funded by the Office for Victims of Crime, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice. Both grants are being administered by the St. Peter’s Hospital Foundation.United Concierge Medicine CEO Keith Algozzine said, “Access to SAFE providers is a public health crisis disproportionally impacting small and rural hospitals. No one should be denied timely care because the hospital has no SAFE-certified provider available. That’s why UCM is so excited to launch this program and serve the patients of Nathan Littauer. We hope all hospitals who do not have 24/7/365 SAFE providers available will partner with us to ensure victims of sexual assault receive the care they need.”This program is an invaluable resource for rural and underserved areas throughout New York State (NYS), allowing them to comply with public health law to care for patients after sexual assault. The challenge for many hospitals, particularly in rural areas, is the lack of available SAFE providers. Regardless of the hospital to which a patient presents, he or she can now have access to a SAFE provider.According to the New York State DOH website, there are only 45 SAFE certified hospitals in the State. A SAFE certified facility meets strict criteria for standards of care and provides coverage for victims of sexual assault 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Of those 45 hospitals, 27 are located in or around the New York City metropolitan area, leaving 18 facilities to provide care for the approximately 12 million people in the rest of New York.However, through this unique pilot program, Nathan Littauer and 45 additional hospitals in the Capital Region and Central New York will now be able to virtually access SAFE-certified providers to properly treat victims. Importantly, 18 of these 46 hospitals are designated by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services as critical access hospitals. These facilities receive this designation if they are more than 35-miles away from another hospital (among other criteria).About UCM UCM’s Virtual ER provides 24/7 triage and treatment by a dedicated team of emergency medicine providers through modern digital tools, including phone, video and picture. This unique approach to emergency medicine has provided patients more immediate access to care in a customized and comfortable environment. In 2018, UCM used their experience as a provider of virtual emergency medicine to provide a wider net of care for victims of sexual assault, launching the TeleSAFE Program to provide comprehensive and compassionate care to any victim of sexual assault or abuse, regardless of the health care facility to which they present. To learn more about UCM’s TeleSAFE program, please visit www.TeleSAFE.org or www.unitedconciergemedicine.com.About Nathan Littauer Hospital Nathan Littauer Hospital and Nursing Home is an independent, full-service 74-bed acute care hospital system with on-campus dialysis, an 84-bed skilled nursing home and 10 primary care centers serving Upstate New York. Nathan Littauer provides safe, high-quality health and wellness services with a focus on securing appropriate new technologies in a rural setting. The hospital has nearly 1,000 employees covering a 50-mile footprint. Littauer’s medical staff provides well over 130,000 patient encounters each year. As we celebrate our 125th year of service, the hospital has expanded to offer health care that is comprehensive, accessible, and relevant to the needs of the communities we serve. In March of 2019, Nathan Littauer will open a newly built, state-of-the-art Primary Care Center in Broadalbin, NY. More information can be found by visiting www.nlh.org.
