Littauer hosts PTech students Posted on February 15, 2016 by Dakota PikeDecember 2, 2015 (Pathways in Technology Early College High School) students, a part of HFM BOCES, visited Littauer on Dec. 2. They received an extensive overview of health care career options and were taken on a hospital tour. The 50 ninth grade students met with various Littauer administrators and staff and were able to explore a number of career choices in the health care field. The tour included departments such as Diagnostic Imaging, Cardio/Pulmonary Rehab, Physical Therapy Rehab, the hospital lab and a visit with Mazor Robitics.
Mountain Valley Hospice recognizes caregivers Posted on February 15, 2016 by Dakota PikeFulton County Express:Thursday, November 12, 2015 By JOHN BORGOLINI Fulton County ExpressMAYFIELD — Mountain Valley Hospice’s 28th Annual Appreciation Celebration changed its program a little bit Friday night as all 10 candidates elected for the Gregory R. Hoye Award received the honor. Anne Marie Hoye, Gregory’s sister-in-law, said the committee decided that each nominee would receive the award in honor of the 10th Anniversary of the Nancy Dowd Home. “We gather this evening to celebrate and honor this year’s Hoye Award Winner — a caregiver who has demonstrated compassion and understanding, has given hope, support, encouragement in those in time of need,” Hoye said. “[These are] qualities that are so essential in providing end-of-life care.” Honorees included: Anita Allen of the Community Health Center; Ashley Duross of St. Mary’s Healthcare Center; Debra Henry of Nathan Littauer Hospital; Tammy Merendo of Nathan Littauer Hospital and Nursing Home; Melissa Stock of St. Mary’s Healthcare; Victor Giulianelli of St. Mary’s Healthcare; Julie Douglas, Stephanie Hathaway and Amanda Hershey of New York Oncology Hematology; Lynn Pawolski of the Adirondack Stretcher and Ambulette; Dr. James Vacek and Dr. Michael Schwartzman. Fulton County Sheriff-elect Richard Giardino welcomed everyone to the Paul Nigra Center for the Arts for the event where Nancy Buyce was posthumously honored with the Excellence Award and Jeanne Wilkinson was presented with the Community Partnership Award. Giardino also read a letter from Congresswoman Elise Stefanik who extended her gratitude for the efforts of everyone at Mountain Valley Hospice and everyone being honored Friday. Mountain Valley Board Chairman Jack Scott presented Buyce’s award to her family. “More than a job, Nancy’s career was her passion,” Scott said. “She devoted her labor to the dignity of those least able to exert those rights for themselves — the ill, the poor, the addicted, the bereaved, the abused, the dying. She undertook this endeavor from no high station in life.” He said Buyce played an important role in the local healthcare community and specifically with Mountain Valley Hospice, where she began Kidz Cope Camp, the Bereavement Volunteers and the Social Butterflies. Buyce was also honored with the Gregory R. Hoye award in 1994. Scott then spoke about Wilkinson and her achievements in hospice care. “She became a member of the board of Mountain Valley Hospice in January 2004 and continued helping where needed in the Hospice House as a family support volunteer,” Scott said. “She said she feels a sense of love and caring each time she enters the Hospice Home. We feel that love every time she comes here too. “She never comes empty handed, always bringing restaurant gift certificates to donate for our next event, or offering her time as a volunteer. Even though she is not on the board any longer she is still engaged as a volunteer and participating in the happenings of the organization, offering to help in any way,” he said. Wilkinson who was unable to attend the event, joined the celebration via telephone and thanked everyone for the recognition. In addition to the honorees, nine employees and volunteers were recognized at the event and given commemorative pins. Those honored included: Toni Bartholomew, Sally Christman, Bethany Condit, Shannon Davis, Jolene Klaas, Helen Myzal, Anne Marie LaVallee, Judy Pepper and Debra Szumoski.Photo by John BorgoliniTen caregivers were awarded the Gregory R. Hoye Award at Mountain Valley Hospice’s 28th Annual Appreciation Celebration Friday night at the Paul Nigra Center for Creative Arts.
Hospital plans new primary care location along Thruway to serve residents — and truckers Posted on February 15, 2016 by Dakota PikeHere’s a story from the Albany Business Review…The community hospital in Gloversville is looking to open its 10th outpatient location, Nathan Littauer Hospital & Nursing Home CEO Laurence E. Kelly said. The hospital is seeking state approval to build a $2.2 million extension clinic in Fonda, a small village about 15 minutes west of Amsterdam. There is a lack of health care services in the area and Montgomery County has a poverty rate for children of about 23 percent, Kelly said. “We looked at Fonda as a place that’s underserved that has a lot of health care need, so we thought this would be a great place to meet that community need,” Kelly said. Hospitals are working to get services closer to patients as government payers push for care in lower cost settings. Kelly also said the location would be ideal to provide services for truckers traveling along the Thruway or going northward to a distribution center in Johnstown. About 800 trucks each day will drive by the location on Main Street in Fonda, he said. Kelly said he’s planning to create an app so truck drivers could set up an appointment ahead of time for a check-up or an acute problem. “These guys and women don’t get good health care because they’re on the road a lot,” Kelly said. The clinic would be fairly close to St. Mary’s Healthcare in Amsterdam, which is a larger system providing services in Fulton and Montgomery counties that Nathan Littauer competes with. St. Mary’s has 130 beds and opened a new $17 million outpatient pavilion last month. While Kelly said the clinic would likely see a high volume of Medicaid patients, he said the hospital would have adult services, radiology and an obstetrician there. Referrals for testing, deliveries of babies and other services to the hospital would also drive revenue from the location. “We don’t think we’re going to lose money, we think we can break even or do a little better,” Kelly said. Kelly said the plan for a clinic is exploratory pending state approval. He said current plans call for a 5,400 square foot building with 30 parking spaces and that the land at 46-50 Main St. in Fonda is under contract for the hospital to purchase. The clinic would be staffed with 13 new full time employees, including two new doctors, Kelly said.
Friends of the Gloversville Public Library celebrate with Littauer’s Birthing Center Posted on February 15, 2016 by Dakota PikeGLOVERSVILLE – In celebration of National Friends of Libraries Week in October, the Friends of the Gloversville Public Library presented the first baby born that week at The Birthing Center at Nathan Littauer Hospital with a basket of books and gifts. Kendrick John Lee Ford was born on Sunday, Oct. 21 at 8:07 a.m., making him the gift recipient. He is the son of Alexis Ford of Gloversville. He joins a 3-year-old brother A’dante.Presenter Jean LaPorta, President Friends of the Gloversville Public Library, said the organization does this activity annually for the first baby born at Littauer during National Friends of Libraries Week.“We really enjoy doing this” Krawczeski said. “We hope these books will encourage a love of reading in the child and they will choose to visit our library,” she added.The gift is made available through library donations. Friends of the Gloversville Public Library Vice President Jean LaPorta, was also a presenter to the Ford family.Alexis Ford of Gloversville with her new born son Kendrick John Lee are the recipients of the Friends of the Gloversville Public Library gift basket at Littauer’s Birthing Center during National Friends of Libraries Week in October.
Littauer announces Linda Fleming as third-quarter Goodwill employee Posted on February 15, 2016 by Dakota PikeGLOVERSVILLE – Littauer recently announced the 2015 third-quarter Goodwill Employee. Johnstown Decker Drive Primary/Specialty Care Center Office Coordinator Linda Fleming is the recipient.Littauer President and CEO Laurence E. Kelly said, “It takes all 1000 employees to do what we do, and it starts with the trusting relationships we establish as soon as our patients call or enter our facilities. They know they can trust us with small matters, and if the time ever comes, we have their trust in life’s bigger concerns.”Fleming is a 37-year Littauer employee. She has worked in several departments, but has been the office coordinator at the Decker Drive Primary/Specialty Care Center since 1995. In that role she has had contact with countless patients and co-workers.According to Kelly, Fleming has proven to be an exemplary employee. Co-workers nominated her for her dedication, kindness, caring smile, and knowledge.“She is the first to lend a helping hand to needy families, donating money, clothes and even food,” added Kelly.“I am truly honored,” said Fleming. “And it only took 37 years to get it,” she laughed.Recipients for the award are nominated by NLH employees, providers or patients and submitted to the Goodwill Committee. In a blind format they are selected.Fleming received a plaque and a check along with her special honor.Littauer Goodwill Award winner: Johnstown Decker Drive Primary/Specialty Care Center Office Coordinator, Linda Fleming
