Gloversville, NY — Nathan Littauer Hospital is proud to announce that Sacha Peragine, RN, of the hospital’s Birthing Center has been named the recipient of the DAISY Award for the third quarter of 2025. This prestigious national recognition honors nurses who demonstrate extraordinary compassion, clinical excellence, and dedication to patient care.

Peragine was surprised with the award during a special gathering with coworkers and members of the hospital’s leadership team, who came together to celebrate her commitment to patients and families.

“I was absolutely surprised,” said Peragine. “I am honored and grateful for this recognition.”

Peragine was nominated by grateful patients who described how her compassion and attentiveness helped guide their family through one of the most frightening moments of their lives. In their nomination, they shared that they arrived at the hospital expecting a routine delivery but quickly discovered a serious complication that required an urgent decision.

“My wife and I came in for what we thought was active labor and bleeding, only to find out the bleeding was more serious than we realized,” the patient wrote. “After some tests and discussions with the doctor, we decided to move forward with a C-section. Sacha talked us through everything that was happening and made us feel calm and safe during a very scary time.”

The patient explained that his wife’s placenta had begun to tear away, causing the bleeding. Throughout the experience, Peragine helped the family understand their options and supported them emotionally as they made difficult decisions.

“She even helped me get myself together so I could be there to support my wife during the operation,” the patient continued. “After the delivery, Sacha was there for us every step of the way and made us feel safe and protected on the scariest night of our lives.”

In the days following the birth, the family said Peragine continued to provide reassurance and attentive care.

“After talking with others later, we realized just how serious and intense the situation really was, but Sacha helped us feel calm and reassured the entire time,” the patient wrote. “At the end of her shift, she even came in to personally say goodbye to us and held our son before leaving. That meant so much to us. We truly can’t say enough wonderful things about Sacha and the way she made us feel safe.”

Maureen Mosher, Manager of Nathan Littauer’s Birthing Center, said Peragine exemplifies the values the DAISY Award was created to recognize.

“Sacha’s compassion, teamwork, and professionalism truly embody what the DAISY Award represents,” Mosher said. “Her ability to support patients and their families during critical moments reflects the highest standard of nursing excellence. We are proud to have her as part of our team on the Birthing Center.”

The DAISY Award is part of a nationwide program that honors the extraordinary clinical skills and compassionate care nurses provide every day.

Nathan Littauer Hospital proudly congratulates Sacha Peragine, RN, on receiving the DAISY Award for the third quarter of 2025 and thanks her for her dedication to providing exceptional care to the patients and families she serves.

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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 or calling (518) 725-8621

Gloversville, NY — Nathan Littauer Hospital and Nursing Home has been selected to participate in the Rural Hospital Stabilization Program (RHSP). This nationwide federally funded program provides technical assistance to rural hospitals, at no cost, to help improve financial stability by enhancing or expanding health care services that match community needs.

“We’re ecstatic to participate in RHSP,” said Nathan Littauer Hospital and Nursing Home President and CEO Sean Fadale, FACHE. Nathan Littauer Hospital and Nursing Home applied for the program last Fall and began receiving hands-on technical assistance in January of this year. As part of the participation, Littauer will receive a comprehensive financial and operational assessment to help inform action and implementation plans to expand or introduce new service lines. The program may provide funding for operations and equipment required to support service line enhancements.

Eight hospitals were selected from across the country to participate in this year’s cohort. These organizations will have the opportunity to learn together, share experiences, and build their network of similar organizations.

As a participant in the program, Nathan Littauer will receive funding to support the establishment of a Community Engagement Champion position. This role is intended to strengthen relationships within communities, lead strategic outreach, marketing initiatives, and clearly communicate the hospital’s impact across the region.

Anne Boles has been appointed to serve as champion and will lead initiatives focused on enhancing patient-centered engagement, expanding community partnerships, and ensuring that the needs and perspectives of the community remain central to the organization’s work.

Anne Boles, Nathan Littauer’s newly appointed Director of Patient Experience.

“This opportunity allows Nathan Littauer to deepen its connection with the communities it already serves,” said Anne Boles, Director of Patient Experience at Nathan Littauer Hospital and Nursing Home. “By listening intentionally, strengthening community partnerships, and ensuring that patient voices remain at the forefront of our work, we can better align our services with the needs of Fulton, Montgomery, and Hamilton County patients. I am honored to help advance this important effort and to support initiatives at Littauer.”

“We are fortunate enough to have Anne in a role perfectly suited to her experience and personality,” said Nathan Littauer Vice President of Business Develop and Nathan Littauer Foundation Executive Director Geoffrey Peck. “She brings years of community engagement experience along with an inquisitive mind and caring attitude.”

The Rural Hospital Stabilization Program is funded by the Federal Office of Rural Health Policy, a division of the Health Resources and Services Administration. Services and technical assistance are managed and provided by the National Rural Health Resource Center. Read more about the program at https://www.ruralcenter.org/programs/stabilization.

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 or calling (518) 725-8621

Gloversville, NY — The Johnstown Hospital Foundation, INC. has generously donated $50,000 to the Nathan Littauer Foundation to support Nathan Littauer Hospital and Nursing Home’s renovation costs of its Johnstown Primary/Specialty Care Center.

The funding will directly assist with improvements to the Johnstown Primary Care Center facility, enhancing the environment for patients and staff while strengthening access to high-quality primary care services for Johnstown-area residents.

“We are grateful to the Johnstown Hospital Foundation (JHF) for their generous $50,000 donation,” said Geoffrey Peck, Vice President of Business Development at Nathan Littauer Hospital & Nursing Home and Executive Director of the Nathan Littauer Foundation. “Since its formation, the Foundation has been a great partner to Littauer. Although JHF closed long ago, the JHF continues to help Johnstown residents maintain access to safe, high-quality healthcare. This latest gift is a huge help in our transformation of our Johnstown Primary Care location.”

The Johnstown Hospital Foundation has a longstanding history of supporting healthcare advancements and community wellness efforts. By partnering with the Nathan Littauer Foundation, the organization continues its mission of fostering collaboration and ensuring sustainable healthcare resources for residents across the region.

“We are very proud to support this important renovation project,” said Paul VanDenburgh, President of the Johnstown Hospital Foundation, INC. “Investing in Littauer’s Johnstown Primary Care Center ensures that Johnstown continues to have access to modern, high-quality healthcare services. This donation reflects the Johnstown Hospital Foundation’s ongoing commitment and mission to strengthening healthcare resources for the people of Johnstown and to promote its health and safety.”

This investment underscores a shared commitment to community health and ensures that residents of Johnstown and the surrounding areas continue to benefit from accessible, modernized primary care services.
“I am especially pleased to see our Foundation’s resources directed toward a project that delivers tangible benefits to Johnstown,” said Bill Easterly, Treasurer of the Johnstown Hospital Foundation, INC. “Supporting the renovation of the Johnstown Primary Care Center is a sound investment in the health and well-being of Johnstown residents, ensuring they have convenient access to quality care in a modern and welcoming setting.”

For more information about the Nathan Littauer Foundation and its initiatives, please visit Nathan Littauer’s website at nlh.org.

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 or calling (518) 725-8621

Gloversville, NY — Nathan Littauer’s Birthing Center has achieved a significant milestone in maternal care, reducing postoperative narcotic use by 67% among cesarean (c-section) birth patients in 2025 through the implementation of an Enhanced Recovery After Cesarean (ERAC) program.

This reduction reflects a direct comparison of cesarean deliveries within the same calendar year. Data was analyzed from the first 18 cesarean patients of 2025, prior to ERAC implementation, and compared with the most recent 18 cesarean patients following ERAC rollout between September and December 2025. Using consistent documentation and patient populations allowed for a reliable, same-year comparison.

A chart review of medication administration records revealed that overall postoperative opioid use decreased by approximately 67% after ERAC implementation. Notably, 33% of ERAC patients required no narcotics at all, while 28% only required one dose or less. Most patients achieved effective pain control using scheduled non-opioid medications alone.

Pictured (left) is our very own Obstetrician and Gynecologist (OB-GYN) Patricia Nguyen, MD as she celebrates this special moment with Kylea and her brand-new baby girl Blair, with OR scrub nurse Allison Sweer (right)! With the option of a clear drape, parents can witness their baby’s very first moments of life! 

“Our goal was never to eliminate pain, it was to improve pain management,” said Birthing Center Registered Nurse, Hanna Barnholt. “By prioritizing multimodal pain management and patient education, we’ve been able to support safer, gentler recoveries while still ensuring patient’s comfort.”

The success of the program is attributed to a multidisciplinary, system-wide approach, including standardized scheduled non-opioid medications such as Tylenol and NSAIDs, regional anesthesia techniques like TAP blocks, and comprehensive preoperative education that sets clear expectations for recovery. Nursing education, consistent medication timing, early mobility, hydration, warming, and recovery milestones also play key roles.

“Reducing narcotic use was a priority for our Birthing Center to enhance patient safety, minimize common opioid-related side effects such as nausea and sedation, support opioid stewardship during a national opioid crisis, and promote faster recovery and mobility after cesarean birth,” said Birthing Center Manager Maureen Mosher, RN, BSN. “Patients have also reported high satisfaction with pain management and recovery under the ERAC model.”

Patients benefiting from the ERAC program have experienced faster physical recovery, reduced grogginess and gastrointestinal side effects, earlier bonding and breastfeeding, and an improved ability to care for and connect with their newborns.

While narcotic medications remain available when clinically indicated, they are no longer the default option. Instead, ERAC emphasizes multimodal pain management combined with non-pharmacologic comfort strategies and realistic recovery education.

This achievement reflects close collaboration among Littauer’s Birthing Center nurses, obstetricians, midwives, anesthesiology department, nursing education, and leadership. Together, these teams shared a common goal of improving outcomes through evidence-based practice.

Nationally, ERAC programs are recognized as best practice, though adoption and results vary widely. A 67% reduction in postoperative opioid use places the Littauer’s Birthing Center in alignment with—and in many cases exceeding—outcomes reported by larger academic medical centers, demonstrating that high-quality, innovative maternal care can thrive in a community hospital setting.

Looking ahead, the Birthing Center plans to sustain and refine ERAC outcomes as additional data is collected, expand education around non-opioid and non-pharmacologic pain management options, and explore additional comfort and recovery tools—all while continuing to prioritize patient safety, comfort, and choice.

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 or calling (518) 725-8621

January 5th, 2026

At Nathan Littauer Hospital, the health and safety of our patients, visitors, and staff remain our top priority—especially during peak seasons for respiratory illnesses. In response to increased circulation of seasonal respiratory viruses, we have implemented temporary visitation guidelines for inpatient areas of the hospital.

These measures are designed to reduce the spread of illness while still allowing patients to receive appropriate support from loved ones.

What Visitors Should Know

• General inpatient visiting hours are 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.

• Please do not visit if you are experiencing respiratory or flu-like symptoms such as fever, cough, sore throat, or shortness of breath.

• Children under 17 years of age are not permitted in inpatient areas.

• All visitors must enter through the main hospital entrance.

• On the Medical-Surgical Unit, two visitors are permitted at the bedside at one time.

• Hand hygiene is required before entering and after leaving patient rooms. Hand sanitizer stations are available throughout the hospital.

• Visitors to patients on enhanced droplet or contact precautions must speak with a nurse and wear required PPE.

Department-Specific Guidelines

Visitation varies by department based on patient needs and safety considerations:

• Emergency Department: One visitor at a time over age 17. Parents of minors may both visit. Enhanced precautions limit visitation to one visitor who must remain in the room.

• Special Care Unit (SCU): Visiting hours are 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Visits are generally limited to 15 minutes, immediate family only, with a maximum of two visitors. No children under 10.

• Birthing Center: After delivery, visiting hours are 12:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Visitors must be 18 or older, except for newborn siblings.

• Labor & Delivery: Two designated support persons may be present throughout labor and delivery and may not rotate.

• Postpartum: One designated support person may stay for the duration of hospitalization. Two additional visitors may be present at a time. Siblings may visit for one hour per day.

• Antepartum Testing: One support person is permitted.

Compassionate Exceptions

We understand that certain situations require flexibility. Our healthcare team may make limited exceptions to visitation guidelines on a case-by-case basis, including for end-of-life care.

Thank you for helping us maintain a safe and supportive environment for everyone who entrusts us with their care.