Bouchard Is Bassett Ambassador

Cooperstown, N.Y. – “I was always taught that when you work for someone else, you do the best job you can,” said John Bouchard, Bassett Cancer Treatment Center van driver. “It’s nice to be recognized for that and I feel honored to be an Ambassador.” The Bassett Ambassador Program recognizes people who work at Bassett who consistently demonstrate values such as quality, respect, service, integrity and friendliness.

In Bouchard’s work as a cancer center driver, he transports patients to and from Bassett for their treatments. He explains that some patients have to come to the hospital every day for up to eight weeks and often cannot find transportation for that length of time and some don’t feel well enough after their treatments to drive themselves home.

“I drove a tractor trailer for 12 years before, I like driving, and I like helping people, so this work is perfect for me,” said Bouchard, who has worked at Bassett since 2010. “I also can’t do my job if I don’t have a good team to work with, which I do at Bassett.”

Bouchard does a lot more than get a patient from point A to point B safely. “I treat everyone with dignity and respect and understand that they may be in pain or be fearful. Sometimes patients need someone to talk to and share their feelings with. I’m happy to be there for them.” In her nomination letter, Laurie Conover, social worker, said “John not only transports patients, he shows compassion by truly listening and helping them.”

Bouchard lives in Cherry Valley with his wife Deb who is a nurse at Bassett. They have two grown children and two grandchildren who keep them busy. At home he is a novice beekeeper and has two hives, which produced 50 pounds of honey last year. His other “livestock” includes 25 free-range brown egg layers and a horse. He also enjoys boating on Otsego Lake in the summer.