Littauer CEO Set to Retire in October

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

GLOVERSVILLE, NY (01/23/2020) (readMedia)-- 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.

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.