Category Archives: Health & Wellness

By Rod Bacon

Karen Le’Que has a mission in life to help people struggling with mental illness, traumatic brain injuries, alcohol/substance abuse, or geriatric issues return to the most productive lives it is possible for them to live.

To accomplish this goal she is the founder and executive director of Kee to Independent Growth, Inc. (KIGI), a non-profit agency that she established in 2008. 

A Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN), Le’Que has received her CORE training certificate, Medicaid Services Coordinator (MSC), and New York State Department of Health training. She earned a bachelor’s degree in Human and Community Services from SUNY Empire State in Saratoga Springs as well as a Certified Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor in Training (CASAC-T) designation.

In addition to her penchant for helping people, Le’Que’s reason for starting Kee stems from family experience. Her husband, John, served as a combat infantryman in Operation Iraqi Freedom, returning with severe health issues that include PTSD and traumatic brain injury. He is in a program to address these issues but it is not through Kee.

Le’Que’s two brothers were also in the military, one of whom returned from active duty with issues with which he couldn’t deal and he died a homeless veteran.

“That was kind of like a steamroller and pushed the whole case management piece over the top and I said, ‘That’s it, I’ve got to do something for veterans as well as people who are disabled.’”

She started in her home with a staff that consisted of herself and one assistant. There are now 58 highly trained associates who serve 500 clients in eight counties. 

By Ann donnelly

This month, husband and wife Ashley and Derek Heald celebrated the opening of their nutrition club, juice, and smoothie bar, Peak Nutrition, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony held by the Adirondack Regional Chamber of Commerce on November 3, 2023.

Peak Nutrition offers vitamin-packed, energizing teas, healthy protein shakes, and iced coffees in the Broad Street Shopping Center in Glens Falls. Many of these drinks are popular with fitness enthusiasts for pre-, during- & post-workout needs, but also appeal to a wide range of other customers looking for a healthy, fresh drink. “We do kids’ drinks as well,” says Ashley Heald. “They are not caffeinated and contain some protein. I’ve got two picky eaters, so wherever I can sneak in some protein is always good.”

“We host monthly body transformation challenges and help people achieve their health and wellness goals, whatever they may be,” says Ashley Heald. They have held a local vendors showcase and plan to hold pop-up workouts.

“I’ve been a stay-at-home mom for six years and was looking for work I could do and still have enough time for the boys. I was an athlete, running track and field in school, but I always hated the chalky taste of protein shakes. Derek had me taste one of these shakes, and I said, ‘Okay, what have I got to do.’” 

Glens Falls Family Health, Hudson Headwaters Health Network’s 22nd brick-and-mortar health center, is now open. Located at 38 Larose Street, Glens Falls Family Health has 18 exam rooms and a floor plan designed to support an integrated team care model with nurses, patient service assistants, behavioral health specialists, care managers, resident physicians, advanced practice providers and physicians working together. The center is also equipped with on-site lab services operated by Glens Falls Hospital.

 “The establishment of Glens Falls Family Health has been a longtime community effort, with many details thoughtfully developed to improve health outcomes and patient experiences for years to come,” said Hudson Headwaters CEO Tucker Slingerland, M.D. “As a nonprofit, Federally Qualified Health Center, Glens Falls Family Health expands access for all in our community, regardless of income or insurance. Thank you to our hard-working staff for making this milestone possible and for the support of our regional partners who share our vision of sustainable health care for everyone.”

The building was also designed with medical residents in mind and serves as a continuity site for residents physicians of the new Saratoga Hospital Family Medicine Residency, a collaboration with Saratoga Hospital and Albany Medical Center. The inaugural class started in July 2023 and have traveled to Glens Falls from around the world.

By Susan Elise Campbell

A person never knows when first aid training may be needed, but Clark Hayward, founder of Adirondack Wilderness Medicine, believes if they are an hour or more away from a hospital, his wilderness first aid course may not only come in handy, but save a life.

“It’s amazing that new students taking the course are surprised how much can go wrong out on a hike or ski trip,” said Hayward. “We are here locally to train anyone who does things outdoors, either sports or hunting or in their line of work.”

The basic two-day, 16-hour training encompasses everything a standard first-aid course includes along with the practical skills to prevent such conditions as hypothermia or heat stroke, he said. 

“The difference between wilderness first aid and standard first aid is the latter assumes an ambulance will arrive in about 15 minutes,” said Hayward. 

With wilderness first aid, that help “may not arrive for hours or even days,” during which time someone has to manage the situation medically as well as provide food and water, he said.

The course curriculum Hayward follows is designed by SOLO, the international leader in wilderness education founded in 1976 and the originator of wilderness medicine in the U.S. Hayward is a licensee of the SOLO program, he said.

By Christine Graf

As one of more than 2,700 YMCA’s throughout the United States, the Family YMCA of the Glens Falls Area is committed to providing health and wellness opportunities to the local community.

“The YMCA is so expansive in the offerings for health and wellness,” said Executive Director Lauren Cygan. “It’s really the foundation on what the organization is built to serve. When you think of youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility, it all comes together at the Y.  That’s why we have everything from aquatics and gymnastics to Silver Sneakers.”

Glens Falls members have access to one of the approximately 75 group exercise classes that are offered each week. These classes take place in the aquatics center, the cycle studio, or in one of the facility’s two fitness studios.

The majority of fitness classes are offered on a first come first served basis, but several of the most popular aquatic fitness classes require registration. Online registration is not available, and members can register for classes upon arrival at the YMCA. This is done to prevent no-shows.

“The aquatic fitness classes fill up incredibly quickly,” said Cygan. “Our older adult population is absolutely booming, and many of our seated classes—chair yoga and chair Zumba—also fill up very quickly.”

The Family YMCA of the Glens Falls Area is certified to teach the extremely popular Les Mills classes–Body Pump, Body Combat, and Body Step. They also offer mind/body classes including yin yoga, vinyasa, and power yoga. Personal and small group training with certified personal trainers are also available, and all new members are entitled to receive a free 30 minute Healthy Start session in the wellness center.

Hudson Headwaters Health Network has completed renovations to its Broad Street Health Center in Glens Falls. 

The updated facility offers urgent care services seven days a week, with no appointment necessary, for health concerns that arise suddenly but are not life-threatening. For further convenience, the center offers laboratory and X-ray services on-site, and lists estimated wait times on the Hudson Headwaters website.

“Not a day has gone by where a patient hasn’t commented on how appreciative they are of the transformation,” said Patti Hammond, executive vice president/chief operations officer. “Every renovation has been made with thoughtful consideration to our patients and our community. These enhancements further our mission to provide accessible, high-quality health care for everyone, regardless of income or insurance, while also contributing to Glens Falls’ wider revitalization efforts.”

Renovations include an expanded waiting room with updated lighting and new artwork throughout the center. 

Thirteen urgent care exam rooms have also been redone and updated. The triage area has been redesigned so nursing staff may more efficiently assess patient needs. New features include a fully equipped treatment room and a new changing room in the medical imaging area. Amenities have been added for patients’ comfort including complimentary bottled water, free Wi-Fi connectivity and multi-device charging stations.

By Andrea Harwood

Hot Yoga Queensbury, located at 118 Quaker Road in Queensbury, is under new ownership.

Serena Smith has been teaching at the Hot Yoga studio for years. In a conversation, former owner Stephanie Angelucci brought up the idea of Smith purchasing the studio. After much thought, she decided to move forward with the purchase.

“Movement has always been a passion for me. It’s exciting to make it a career. I feel honored that I get to do it every day. What an opportunity it is for me to help others move every day,” said Smith.

“I’ve owned other businesses before, and the best part is always being part of the community,” she said. “I’m looking forward to that again.”

Smith owned and operated Taps Tavern in Poultney, Vt., for over 10 years. She has been a chef for 27 years. She also owned a café. 

Her first job was in a Pizza Hut restaurant, and she’s been cooking ever since. Smith sold her café many years ago, and the restaurant about a year and a half ago. After cooking and running restaurants and food trucks her entire life, she was looking for change.