Littauer to Receive Appropriations from Congressman Paul Tonko

$350,000 Earmarked for Emergency Department

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GLOVERSVILLE, NY (12/11/2009)(readMedia)-- When Laurence E. Kelly, President and CEO of Nathan Littauer Hospital picked up the phone yesterday afternoon, it was not who was on the line that surprised him as much as where the caller was phoning from. On the line was Representative Paul Tonko, calling from the House floor. He stated to Mr. Kelly, "I just cast my vote [for the Consolidated Appropriations legislation] and your hospital will be receiving $350,000." "After I caught my breath, I expressed my sincerest thanks to the Congressman" stated Mr. Kelly. The money has been earmarked for the new Emergency Department at Littauer.

"I am pleased that we were able to secure these funds that will help Nathan Littauer Hospital meet the growing demand for emergency services," said Rep. Paul Tonko. "For 115 years, Nathan Littauer has served a large footprint of the community, spanning some 60 miles, providing vital resources for the residents of Fulton and Montgomery and Hamilton Counties. Nathan Littauer has a strong focus on primary care, and this project fits nicely into that mission."

Congressman Tonko was referring to his vote for the Consolidated Appropriations legislation, which passed the U.S. House of Representatives yesterday. The bill makes a series of key investments in priorities which will strengthen the economy, which includes Nathan Littauer's Emergency Department Project. "We are grateful to Mr. Tonko for his unyielding support of healthcare, business and education in his district. I think it will be an investment which will give great returns." Mr. Kelly said.

The Hospital applied for the funding through Congressman Tonko's office in February of this year. Later that spring, Hospital representatives went to Washington, D.C. to meet with Congressman Tonko to discuss the imparitive nature of the project.

The Hospital, based in Gloversville New York, serves a wide footprint and is considered a gateway emergency department for the Southern Adirondack region. The hospital has on average 68 emergency visits a day and finished 2008 with nearly 25,000 patient visits. Mr. Kelly explained, "We see patients from all around the region and our space had become too small." The Hospital broke ground on a new Emergency Department in October of this year. The new Emergency Department is a project totaling almost $2.2 million. Mr. Kelly added, "This [appropriation] helps us get closer to our goal of a new Emergency Department for our residents." The hospital is hoping to complete renovations this spring.

The new unit will increase the Emergency's Department footprint by at least 40% and will add three new private specialty rooms for Cardiac, Obstetrics and Trauma care as well as a new isolation room. The new unit also promises to deliver a larger waiting room, more privacy for patients who are receiving care, and a larger workspace for medical staff. Dr. Duthaler, Chief of Emergency Medicine, upon hearing the news, stated, "The new ED at Nathan Littauer Hospital is going to be a much more pleasant and comfortable environment for our patients, families and staff. Our team is excited to be a part of this improvement. He added, "We thank Congressman Tonko for his commitment to emergency medicine in his district."

Mr. Kelly echoed his team's praise, stating, "This is a project which is very near and dear to my heart. "

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