Author: Saratoga TODAY

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Saratoga Hospital has launched a new clinical navigation program that provides hands-on guidance for patients with serious illnesses to assist patients unaccustomed to navigating the healthcare system — from diagnosis to treatment plan and follow-up care.

“Our goal is to reduce the stress and challenges that patients face during a difficult, often frightening time,” Kelly Bailey, nurse practitioner, who heads the new program, said in a statement. “By connecting them to the appropriate care team as early as possible, we help patients move from that first clinical finding to treatment in a timely manner.

The idea for a more formal approach took hold after Bailey was diagnosed with cancer and, while undergoing chemotherapy, heard firsthand how long some patients waited for a diagnosis and treatment plan. One of the most common reasons for the delay was that patients were unfamiliar with the process.

After she recovered, Bailey proposed a solution to Saratoga Hospital leadership. Within months, the Clinical Navigation Program was up and running at Saratoga Hospital Medical Offices – Wesley. 

The clinical navigation team starts by sitting down with the patient, helping them understand and digest their test results, describing next steps, and arranging the appointments that will lead to a definitive diagnosis and treatment plan. 

Most patients are referred to the program to follow up on a clinical finding discovered during a visit to the Alfred Z. Solomon Emergency Center or a Saratoga Hospital urgent care center. Others are referred by their primary care provider. Patients can also reach out to the program without a referral. 

The Clinical Navigation Program is located at 119 Lawrence St., Saratoga Springs. For an appointment, call 518-886-6030. To learn more, go to www.saratogahospital.org.

QUEENSBURY — Arthur J. Gallagher & Co.  has acquired Cool Insuring Agency, Inc. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Founded in 1857, Cool Insuring Agency provides commercial, personal, and life and health insurance and consulting services to clients across the Northeastern United States from offices in Queensbury and Latham. The agency specializes in serving construction and healthcare industry clients, as well as governments and municipalities, which together account for more than half of its revenues. 

Anthony Mashuta, Ira Neifeld and their associates will continue to operate from their current locations.

“Cool Insuring Agency has operated for more than 160 years and is viewed as the premier independent agency in Upstate New York. Their specialties align closely with our construction, healthcare, senior living and public entity practices,” said J. Patrick Gallagher, Jr., Chairman, President and CEO. 

Arthur J. Gallagher & Co., a global insurance brokerage, risk management and consulting services firm, is headquartered in Rolling Meadows, Illinois. The company has operations in 49 countries and offers client-service capabilities in more than 150 countries around the world through a network of correspondent brokers and consultants.

SARATOGA SPRINGS ­­—With 2020 coming to a close, it has become apparent that, now more than ever, it takes a community to get through these difficult times. We have all watched the devasting effects COVID-19 has had on our local businesses and many of those local businesses have had to close because they could not support themselves.

In the spirit of the holidays, Denise A. Coté CEO of Home of the Good Shepherd, has made an extremely generous donation to support the Saratoga Springs Downtown Business Association (DBA) by purchasing gift cards for all of the employees at Home of the Good Shepherd. Home of the Good Shepherd has five Assisted Living and Enhanced Assisted Living Communities located throughout Saratoga County and it is one of the largest employers in Saratoga County with over 300 employees. Coté purchased gift cards for all staff totaling over $17,000 to support our local businesses. 

Coté stated, “I am very thankful to all the staff that have been here day in and day out going above and beyond to keep our residents safe and healthy.” “I also see the devasting effects the virus has had on our local economy and I wanted to not only thank our staff, but also support these businesses.”

Hundreds of local service employees are out of a job or have had their incomes drastically reduced due to the Coronavirus. And even worse, small company employers may never open again.

For those workers, unemployment insurance and possible federal subsidies will not cover their short term and future costs.

An example is Larry Jenks who operates a barber shop on Washington Street. While his overhead costs continue, he has seen a fifty percent decrease in his customers. Larry has followed all government rules on physical safety but has a fear he will not survive as a local business. 

Most Saratogians would like to help these service employers. So, if you can afford it, here are some simple suggestions: shop at locally owned stores, tip generously at restaurants, and leave a couple of dollars extra on the counter for the service employee. 

These local employees are your neighbors, youth sport coaches, and volunteers for dozens of community organizations. Let’s assist them through this crisis.

CORINTH — Hudson River Community Credit Union (HRCCU) announced this week it has made a donation of $20,000 to support local youth centers in the Capital Region. Recipients included the Saratoga Regional YMCA Corinth Branch After School Enrichment Program and the Glens Falls Area Youth Center. Each location received $10,000 to help support their efforts in the community. 

The donation is in line with previous annual contributions made by HRCCU to youth centers in the area as part of its Give4Kids fundraising efforts. Over the past eight years, HRCCU has raised more than $150,000 for local youth centers within the communities it serves. Donations have been used to purchase new equipment, supplies and provide scholarships for students. 

Hudson River Community Credit Union (HRCCU) is a not-for-profit financial cooperative whose mission is to make life better for its members. Anyone who lives, works, worships, or attends school located within Saratoga, Warren, Washington, Rensselaer counties or the Towns of Cohoes, Watervliet or Green Island and their immediate families are eligible to join.