Bassett Healthcare Network inaugurated its newly opened 22^nd School-Based Health Center at Cherry Valley-Springfield Central School on December 7 with a ribbon- cutting ceremony. The celebration brought together Bassett executive leaders and board members, school district leadership, legislators, students, donors, and community members.
Bassett’s School-Based Health Center at Cherry Valley-Springfield provides safe, private, comfortable medical, dental, and mental healthcare to students from pre-kindergarten through 12^th grade. Bassett’s School-Based Health Program now serves students in 18 school districts across four counties in Central New York. More than 7,000 students are enrolled across the region. Bassett’s school-based health services are available to all students enrolled in participating districts regardless of income, with no out-of-pocket costs to any student or family.

Staci Thompson, MHA, who currently serves as Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer of Bassett Healthcare Network and will become interim President and CEO of Bassett Healthcare Network on January 1, 2024, said of the program: “Bassett’s school-based health centers are essential to the health and wellbeing of children and their families throughout our region. This service is especially important in a rural area where many children and families live below the poverty line. We are proud to partner with area school districts to provide high quality healthcare to their students.”

“Expanding the reach of Bassett’s School-Based Health Centers to even more communities will help our young people become healthy adults,” said Dr. Tommy Ibrahim, President and CEO of Bassett Healthcare Network. “We are deeply grateful to the generosity of our donors – especially Ginny Joslin Hastings – who have made this newest clinic possible. Bassett’s School-Based Health Program only exists because of generous donations.”

“The 22 school-based health centers in Otsego, Delaware, Chenango, and Schoharie counties are a division of Bassett Healthcare Network’s Pediatrics Department. The doctors, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants at Cherry Valley-Springfield will provide the same services and level of expertise found in our community-based pediatrics practices,” said Dr. William Fredette, the new Co-Director of Bassett’s School-Based Health Program.

“Remarkably, Bassett’s school-based health centers also offer dental and mental health services,” continued Dr. Fredette. “Knowing that children with poor oral health are three times more likely than their peers to miss school – and having witnessed firsthand the mental health burden that the COVID-19 pandemic imposed on my patients – I cannot emphasize enough how valuable these services will be to the students of Cherry Valley-Springfield.” Dr. Fredette has been practicing pediatrics at Bassett Healthcare Network for 14 years. He currently serves as Senior Attending Physician at FoxCare Pediatrics in Oneonta.

Among those in attendance were Dr. Tommy Ibrahim, President and CEO of Bassett Healthcare Network; Staci Thompson, MHA, Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer of Bassett Healthcare Network; Doug Hastings, Chair of Bassett Healthcare Network’s Board of Directors; Ginny Joslin-Hastings; Dr. William Fredette, Co-Director of Bassett’s School-Based Health Program; Senator Peter Oberacker (R/C – Schenevus); TheriJo Snyder, Superintendent of Cherry Valley-Springfield Central School; staff members from the Office of Rep. Elise Stefanik (NY-21); and many others. Remarks were given by Dr. Ibrahim, Dr. Fredette, and Senator Oberacker. Staff members from the Office of Rep. Elise Stefanik also offered remarks and presented a special congressional certificate to Dr. Fredette and Bassett’s School-Based Health staff in recognition of their continued dedication and expertise connecting children and families with healthcare.

Learn more about Bassett’s School-Based Health Program by visiting www.bassett.org/school-based-health or calling 844-255-7242.

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