Saratoga Business Journal

Hudson Headwaters Begins Implementing A New ‘Team Care’ Patient Care Model In Area

June 13, 2022

At Hudson Headwaters’ Moreau Family Health building, shown here, the organization launched a new model of patient care in conjunction with its West Mountain Campus in Queensbury.
Courtesy Hudson Headwaters

Hudson Headwaters Health Network has launched a new model of patient care at the West Mountain Campus in Queensbury and at its Moreau Family Health.

Known as team care, the cutting-edge approach is designed to deliver more personalized care for patients and improve work-life balance for health center staff.

Officials said in the team care model, each patient continues to have their primary care provider, but in addition, they are also assigned to a team of providers, nurses and administrative staff. The entire team gets to know the patient so even if their primary care provider is unavailable, the patient can count on consistent, personalized care during their visit.

The phone system, check-in and other processes have also been updated to provide a more efficient and streamlined experience. Core teams are supported by behavioral health providers, care managers, clinical pharmacists and other specially trained staff. The model is designed to put the patient back at the center of their health care, according to Hudson Headwaters

Agency To Provide Nursing Staffing To Area Hospitals To Help With Shortage Issues

June 13, 2022

A new staffing agency will provide contract nursing staff to the hospitals and facilities of the Albany Med Health System, including Saratoga Hospital and Glens Falls Hospital.

The Albany Med Health System (AMHS) Staffing Alliance was formed in April of 2021 as an affiliate of the VNA of Albany and became fully operational in October of 2021. Its mission is to provide a strategic source of contract nurses exclusively for the Albany Med health system’s facilities to fill temporary staffing gaps, and to provide flexible, temporary work schedules that meet individual and system needs.

“The AMHS Staffing Alliance is an appealing option for nurses who are interested in an Albany Med Health System hospital or facility but due to their current situations, prefer temporary nursing assignments instead of a permanent position,” said Susan Larman, RN, CEO of VNA of Albany. “Interested candidates can work with a dedicated team to help find flexible work schedules with their choice of these four highly reputable hospitals that make up the Albany Med Health System. It is a mutually beneficial opportunity for the candidates and the System facilities.”

The AMHS Staffing Alliance differs from private staffing agencies in that it is not focused on supporting multiple customers in several markets.

SUNY Empire State Gets Grant To Help Boost Enrollment In Its Nursing Program

June 13, 2022

SUNY Empire State College will enhance nursing program to address the state and nation’s critical nursing shortage

The college has received a $245,580 grant from the SUNY system that is expected to boost enrollment in the college’s nursing program and help address the state and nation’s critical nursing shortage, officials said.

The funds are part of a $3 million SUNY Nursing Emergency Training Fund designed to enable more students to enroll in SUNY’s nursing programs. SUNY Empire will use the money to offset the initial cost of hiring a full-time faculty member and an operations coordinator in its nursing program.

The funding, which will be available July 1 after the state budget is approved, will enable the college to increase enrollment at the School of Nursing and Allied Health by 100 students.

In all, SUNY campuses have more than 70 accredited nursing programs. SUNY campuses were eligible to apply for funding of up to $250,000. The funding can be used in various ways, including curricula development, partnership expansion, and the purchase of instructional equipment and technology.

At SUNY Empire, most of the additional students are expected to come through the Multi-Award Nursing Program that SUNY Empire shares with Nassau Community College (NCC). NCC received $247,000 from the same SUNY funds to expand their nursing program.

Taryn Woodard Is Promoted To Director Of Employee Health At Saratoga Hospital

June 13, 2022

Taryn Woodard, director of employee health /occupational medicine, Saratoga Hospital.
Courtesy Saratoga Hospital

Saratoga Hospital has promoted Taryn Woodard to director of employee health and occupational medicine.

In this dual role, Woodard oversees employee health services at Saratoga Hospital and is engaged in wellness, environment of care, infection prevention and workplace safety initiatives. In partnership with Saratoga Hospital Medical Group – Occupational Medicine and Saratoga Hospital’s Regional Therapy Center, Woodard also helps meet the workplace health and safety needs of area businesses.

In addition, she collaborates on workplace-health-related issues with her colleagues in the Albany Med Health System. Along with Saratoga Hospital, the System includes Albany Medical Center Hospital, Columbia Memorial Health and Glens Falls Hospital.

Woodard, of Ballston Spa, has more than a decade of experience in employee health and occupational medicine. She joined Saratoga Hospital in 2015 and, most recently, served as associate director of occupational medicine.

“Employees within and beyond Saratoga Hospital benefit from Taryn’s experience and commitment to workplace health and safety,” said Marcy Dreimiller, vice president of human resources at Saratoga Hospital.

Dr. Michael Holland, medical director of occupational medicine and employee health at Saratoga Hospital, said, “Taryn understands the needs of local businesses and has been a trusted adviser on how to keep employees and customers safe during the pandemic.”

State Health Department Says Adult Smoking Rate Dropped To All-Time Low Of 12%

June 13, 2022

The adult cigarette smoking rate in New York state achieved a new low of 12 percent in 2020, a rate lower than the U.S. average of 15.5 percent, State Health Commissioner Dr. Mary T. Bassett announced on June 3.

According to her report, among young adults, ages 18 to 24, the smoking rate is even lower, at 5.5 percent. These successes are believed to be due, in part, to the progress made by Department of Health’s Tobacco Control Program, which aims to prevent youth tobacco use and promotes tobacco cessation services.

“Our Tobacco Control Program has made tremendous progress at changing norms and getting the word out that smoking is bad for your health,” Bassett said. “The program has used evidence-based strategies, created tobacco-free spaces, and produced effective media campaigns that successfully encourage people to quit. New York state is committed to reducing the burden of nicotine addiction.

“DOH will continue to reach out to the public with powerful messages, work with communities to protect their neighborhoods from tobacco-industry influence, create safe, tobacco- and vape-free spaces, and provide information about getting help to quit smoking.”

Despite these milestones described in the new report tobacco use remains a significant public health problem, with diseases caused by smoking and secondhand smoke killing more than 22,000 people each year in New York state, Bassett said. Another 650,000 adults live with a chronic disease caused by smoking.

Organization Provides $35,000 Grant For Preservation Foundation’s Phila St. Project

June 13, 2022

The Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation will rehabiliate this building.

The Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation has received a grant of $35,000 to help in its effort to renovate the rundown structure at 65 Phila St. in Saratoga Springs.

The Phila Street building is the first property to be rehabilitated under the Foundation’s new Historic Property Redevelopment Program.

“This generous grant from The 1772 Foundation provides critical funding for the successful rehabilitation of 65 Phila St. The net proceeds from the sale of this property will be reinvested into a future preservation project, potentially another endangered building, that will benefit the community,” said Samantha Bosshart, Foundation executive director.

The Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation was one of 25 preservation organizations across the country to receive a grant from The 1772 Foundation.

The 1772 Foundation, based in Connecticut, works to ensure the safe passage of our historic buildings and farmland for future generations. It is named in honor of its first restoration project, Liberty Hall in New Jersey, which was built in 1772. The 1772 Foundation plays a leading role in promoting HPRPs, also known as revolving funds, nationwide.

Foundation Approved $40,000 In Grants For Projects In The Town Of Stillwater Area

June 13, 2022

GlobalFoundries Inc. announced that the GF–Town of Stillwater Foundation has approved its 2022 slate of public grants totaling $40,000 benefiting local community organizations seeking to bring educational opportunities and positive change to the health, safety, and welfare of local residents.

The Foundation has invested more than $520,000 in organizations in the Stillwater community since 2011. In addition to the annual grants, it awards annually a $1,500 STEM scholarship to a qualified Stillwater High School senior.

The mission of the Foundation is to provide tangible benefits of a public nature to diverse groups located within Stillwater or providing direct services within the town, including not-for-profit corporations, charitable organizations, community arts and theater, community historical sites and events, education, and sports and recreation.

“The GF–Town of Stillwater Foundation is grateful to be able to make available public grant money for community organizations seeking to bring educational opportunities and positive change to the health, safety, and welfare of local residents,” said Debbie Leupold, foundation board president. “This year’s awardees represent a variety of local services and programs and add value to our communities.”

StoredTech Grows Further In North Carolina With Acquisition Of NOAH IT LLC Company

June 13, 2022

Mark Shaw, president and CEO of Stored Technology Solutions Inc. (StoredTech)
Courtesy StoredTech

StoredTech has acquired the assets of NOAH IT LLC in North Carolina for an undisclosed sum.

Mark Shaw, CEO at StoredTech, said the move was made to increase its growing Raleigh, N.C., presence. NOAH IT’s employees joined StoredTech.

The acquisition is effective immediately. All of the NOAH IT staff are working out of StoredTech’s Raleigh office.

This acquisition brings more clients to StoredTech’s Managed Service Provider (MSP) platform and, it brings more services to NOAH IT’s base of clients.

“We are always looking for ways to expand out footprint. Allan and the NOAH IT team certainly does that. We are also excited to offer more comprehensive services to our new clients.” Shaw said.

Allan Polak, founder of NOAH IT, said “this combination brings more depth of support and services to our clients. StoredTech has grown immensely here in Raleigh, and we are excited to be a part of it … “I was extremely impressed with the StoredTech team’s total focus on customer delight.”

Cindy Schmehl Is Named ‘Volunteer Of Year’ By Saratoga County Chamber Of Commerce

June 13, 2022

Cindy Schmehl received the 2022 Impact Sector Volunteer of the Year Award.
Courtesy Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce

The Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce recognized Cindy Schmehl with the 2022 Impact Sector Volunteer of the Year Award.

She received the award in may at the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce annual dinner.

The Impact Sector Volunteer of the Year Award recognizes and honors one community member annually who embodies a spirit of dedication, passion, innovation, and commitment to improving the community by working or volunteering for more than one non-profit organization.

“Our impact sector greatly benefits from individuals like Cindy Schmehl,” chamber president Todd Shimkus said in a press release. “Cindy’s tireless dedication to To Love a Child, as well as numerous other Saratoga County organizations, ensures our neighbors throughout the community are supported and provided with the services they need and deserve. We look forward to honoring her and her efforts to make a difference in our community.”

For more than a decade, Schmehl has dedicated her time and energy to helping people not only in Saratoga County but also in less fortunate parts of the world, including Zimbabwe and Haiti. Since founding the organization in 2009, Schmehl has acted in the volunteer position of executive director of To Love a Child, leading its efforts to provide humanitarian assistance to impoverished children and their families to help create a better future and quality of life for all.

Through To Love a Child, Schmehl has spearheaded the construction of a school in Zimbabwe and worked with other team members to provide medical care, education, solar, gardens, food and other opportunities for people and families in remote villages.

Local Man Known As A ‘Ghost Hunter’ Has Plan To Re-Imagine The McGregor Prison

June 13, 2022

A South Glens Falls native is seeking to put the former McGregor prison to a new use.
©2022 Saratoga Photographer.com

By Christine Graf

When South Glens Falls native Steven Brodt was 5 years old, he had what he would later consider a paranormal experience.

He said while sleeping over at his grandmother’s house, he woke in the middle of the night and saw an old woman sitting at the end of his bed. Ten years later, Brodt saw a picture of his great grandmother for the first time and surmised she was the woman he saw when he was 5.

“I can still picture her to this day. It was very clear and very real. As I got older, I became very interested in how it was possible that I saw what I saw,” he said.

When he was 16, Brodt and a friend established a nonprofit group called the South Glens Falls Paranormal Society. They purchased digital voice recorders, night vision cameras, handheld video cameras, and electromagnetic field detectors and offered free paranormal investigative services to the community.