Gloversville, NY — Nathan Littauer Hospital is proud to recognize a thoughtful contribution from a local student aimed at supporting early childhood education and literacy development.

On Thursday, April 2, 2026, Lucille “Luci” Kline, a junior at Mayfield High School, donated 100 preschool literacy kits to Nathan Littauer Hospital as part of her community leadership project. Each kit contains age-appropriate books, alphabet flashcards, pencil grippers, and other engaging materials designed to help young children build foundational literacy skills.

From left: Maruthi Sunkara, MD, Nathan Littauer Pediatrician; Lucille Kline of Mayfield; Littauer Pediatrics’ Stefanie Baird with her grandson, Jarrett Achzet; and Jarrett’s mother, Alyssa Achzet.

The initiative was supported through a self-organized fundraising campaign, with the goal of increasing access to early learning resources for children who may not otherwise have them. Luci’s project reflects a strong commitment to educational equity and community service.

“Reading and writing is something I am passionate about – I want to be a journalist,” said Kline. “Reading, comprehension, and writing are skills I had access to growing up. This is a way of me trying to give back.”

Early exposure to books and language-based activities plays a critical role in a child’s cognitive, emotional, and academic development. By providing these literacy kits, Luci is helping to foster a love of reading during children’s formative years.

“Early literacy is one of the most important foundations we can provide for a child’s long-term health and development,” said Maruthi Sunkara, MD, Pediatric Provider at Nathan Littauer Hospital. “Initiatives like this not only support cognitive growth and language development, but also help foster confidence, curiosity, and a lifelong love of learning. We are incredibly grateful to Luci for her thoughtful contribution and for recognizing the lasting impact that access to educational resources can have on children and families in our community.”

The donated kits will be distributed to pediatric patients and families served by Nathan Littauer’s Pediatrics Practice, helping to strengthen early literacy efforts and support positive health and developmental outcomes.

Nathan Littauer Hospital extends its sincere appreciation to Luci Kline for her generosity, leadership, and dedication to making a meaningful difference in the lives of children throughout the region.

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 — Along with other national, state and community organizations, leading a massive effort to highlight the importance of advance healthcare decision-making—an effort that has culminated in the formal designation of April 16 as National Healthcare Decisions Day (NHDD). As a participating organization, Nathan Littauer Hospital and Nursing Home as well as Mountain Valley Hospice and Palliative Care are providing information and tools for the public to talk about their wishes with family, friends and healthcare providers, and execute written advance directives (healthcare power of attorney and living will) in accordance with New York State laws.

“Advance care planning is one of the most meaningful ways individuals can ensure their voice is heard, even in moments when they may not be able to speak for themselves,” said Susan “Susie” Duross, FNP, ACHPN, Director of Palliative Care Services at Nathan Littauer Hospital and Nursing Home. “National Healthcare Decisions Day serves as an important reminder that these conversations are not just about medical care—they are about honoring personal values, preserving dignity, and supporting families through some of life’s most difficult decisions. We encourage everyone in our community to take the time to reflect, talk with loved ones, and document their wishes.”

Specifically, on April 16, from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM Nathan Littauer is welcoming the public throughout the day at its Main Lobby with free information about advance care planning and advance directive forms.

“Mountain Valley Hospice & Palliative Care is thrilled to collaborate with Nathan Littauer Hospital in a shared commitment to advancing patient‑centered care in our community,” said Mountain Valley Hospital and Palliative Care Director of Operations Celeste Farnham, MSN, RN. “By working together, we are strengthening our ability to support patients and families through thoughtful, compassionate advanced care planning. These conversations ensure that individuals’ values, preferences, and goals are honored across every stage of care. This collaboration represents an important step forward in delivering coordinated, high‑quality healthcare that respects patient choice, improves outcomes, and supports dignity throughout the care journey.”

As a result of National Healthcare Decisions Day, many more people in our community can be expected to have thoughtful conversations about their healthcare decisions and complete reliable advance directives to make their wishes known. Fewer families and healthcare providers will have to struggle with making difficult healthcare decisions in the absence of guidance from the patient, and healthcare providers and facilities will be better equipped to address advance healthcare planning issues before a crisis and be better able to honor patient wishes when the time comes to do so.

For more information about National Healthcare Decision Day, please visit http://nhdd.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