Northeastern Region

Glens Falls Hospital, a not-for-profit hospital, is the sole, acute care community hospital serving the predominately rural 2,600 square mile area encompassing Warren, Washington, Hamilton, Essex and northern Saratoga Counties. Glens Falls Hospital is well recognized for its community outreach and community health services.

The Northeastern Regional Osteoporosis Resource Center, a service of Glens Falls Hospital, (NERORC) will provide state of the art screening services, educational programs and prevention services in Saratoga, Warren, Washington, Essex, Clinton, Franklin and Hamilton Counties, which are located in the Northeastern most area of New York State. The Regional Osteoporosis Center will work collaboratively with the Adirondack Regional Osteoporosis Coalition (AdROC), health service providers, public health departments, community based organizations, schools, nursing homes, and other community resources to provide the community with the tools and knowledge necessary to reduce the incidence of osteoporosis.

The Glens Falls Hospital/NYSOPEP Team:

Principal Investigator/Project Director: Patricia Hale, PhD, MD
Vice President of Community Services: Jean Huntington
NYSOPEP Program Coordinator: Kelly Pilkey

Bone Density Testing

Radiology technologists, who are certified by the International Society of Clinical Densitometry, work closely with experienced physicians using state of the art densiometers to measure bone mass. The team also uses a custom made screening survey, which takes into account the patient’s medical history, current medication intake, diet and exercise habits and other known risk factors to better evaluate each patient’s bone health and potential risk for osteoporosis. The results of these tests are then evaluated and recommendations for optimal bone health are tailored to each patient’s individualized need, including such interventions as medication therapy, nutritional counseling, physical therapy and comprehensive exercise programs.

Glens Falls Hospital in conjunction with AdROC is also able to provide a mobile ultrasound bone density-screening program. This service is available with technical support and interpretation for on-site testing in physician’s offices, nursing homes and other facilities. Please call 518.926.5936 for more information on this program.

Exercise Programs

Glens Falls Hospital in cooperation with AdROC offers the Osteobusters Program. Osteobusters is a free osteoporosis treatment and prevention exercise program lead by seniors for seniors. The program is currently operating at 15 sites and convenes several times a week, typically meeting in community centers or similar locations. Volunteer program instructors go through a full day training session plus yearly updates on exercise programs. The classes typically host 12-25 participants from the age of 50 to over 90 (some of our instructors are in their 80s!). The program includes strengthening and balance exercises using weights from 2-10 pounds and incorporates educational programs on topics related to Osteoporosis.
Additionally, Glens Falls Hospital is able to provide the community with a wide array of well-health services, such as occupational and physical therapy, a nutrition center as well as a Wellness Center, with on staff exercise physiologists, which is open to all community members. These programs provide each client with a health assessment and a tailored exercise regimen to meet their total health needs to provide optimal health and well-being.

Community Education and Activities:

• Provide community-based, population-specific media campaigns and public education programs.
• Maintain a toll-free osteoporosis information hotline.
• Present regional, community based training workshops and seminars.
• Disseminate self-risk assessment tools in project areas.
• Maintain an osteoporosis Education and Awareness web page.
• Collaborate with Osteobusters Exercise Programs.
• Facilitate support groups for people with osteoporosis.
• Collaborate with other chronic disease coalitions and programs to develop a unified and cohesive message for overall health and well-being.
• Conduct “train the trainer” programs for community volunteers.
• Publicize Wellness Center Programs.

Professional Education

• Conduct CME programs and Grand Rounds Programs.
• Sponsor Annual Osteoporosis Prevention and Treatment Conferences.

For more information on any of the programs mentioned above, please contact us at the Glens Falls Hospital’s Northeastern Regional Osteoporosis Resource Center at 518.926.5900