Classes and Support Groups

Alcoholics Anonymous:

Bassett Medical Center, One Atwell Road, Cooperstown - Fieldstone Building (administration building) Second floor conference room - Every Friday 8 p.m. - C-D. Non-smoking.

Also, there is a Cooperstown Group who meet at the Baptist Church, 19 Elm St., Cooperstown, Fridays at noon.

American Red Cross blood drives:

To find out about the next blood drive being held at Bassett or to register for an appointment time to donate blood, and/or to select Bassett  as the facility that you would like to donate on behalf of, click here.

Brain Injury Support Group:

This group meets once a month (unless there is a special event) 6:00 - 7:00 p.m.(2nd floor classroom, old clinic building.) This group was formed to meet the needs of head-injured people and their families, and is open to the public. For more information please contact the Nursing office at 1-800-227-7388 ext. 3150.

Cancer Support at Bassett:

Colorectal Cancer Support Group, Bassett Healthcare Network-Herkimer Cancer Center, 321 East Albany Street, Herkimer. The information that is shared in these discussions stays within the group.The format of these meetings is informal so that there is a mixture of educational items as well as time for the participants to share their own personal stories with one another. Questions about the support group may be directed to Kathy Smith at 315-867-2787.

Cancer Support Group, FoxCare Center, One FoxCare Drive, Oneonta - This group is open to patients with any type of cancer diagnosis. There will be pre-arranged discussion topics, including the effects of treatment, emotional aspects of treatments, financial issues and more during each session. There will also be sessions with entirely open discussion. The group meets on the second and fourth Tuesday of every month at FoxCare Center in Classroom C from 2:30 - 3:30 p.m. For more information, call 607-433-6470.

Cancer Support Group for Caregivers, FoxCare Center, One FoxCare Drive, Oneonta - Topics will include effects of treatment, emotional aspects of treatments, financial issues and more during each session. There will also be open forums to assist caregivers in coping with a loved one who is diagnosed with cancer. The group meets the first and third Thursday of every month at FoxCare Center in Classroom C from 2:30 - 3:30 p.m. These sessions will run through the end of November. For more information, call 607-433-6470.

Man to Man, prostate cancer group, Hannah Lee House, corner of Fernleigh and Mill Streets, Cooperstown. Meets the third Tuesday of each month from 1:30-3:30. Spouses welcome. Call Bob Parmerter for more information at 607-638-9343.

Breast Cancer Support Group – New groups are being formed. Anyone interested is asked to call Laurie Conover, LMSW, at 607-547-4963.

Community-based services by county:

Broome	Greene	Oneida	Sullivan
Chenango	Herkimer	Otsego	Ulster
Delaware	Madison	Schenectady
Fulton	Montgomery	Schoharie

Defensive Driving Course:

Bassett Medical Center is a continuing sponsor of the National Safety Council's Defensive Driving Course. People who complete the course are eligible for a 10 percent reduction of their automotive insurance costs and a 4-point reduction from their DMV record. Bassett employees, volunteers and their immediate family members pay $35 for the course if taken at Bassett, otherwise the fee is $40. If a two-day schedule doesn't work for you, join us on a Saturday, one session and you're done.

All classes will be held in the Bassett Hall Auditorium until September - from October to December classes will be held in the Bassett Hall Chapel.

Weekday Classes:
The two-day classes are from 7:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. Call 607-547-7171, held on Wednesday & Thursday

• January 4-5, 2012
• February 1-2, 2012
• April 4-5, 2012
• May 2-3, 2012
• June 6-7, 2012
• July 11-12, 2012
• August 1-2, 2012
• September 5-6, 2012
• October 3-4, 2012
• November 7-8, 2012
• December 5-6, 2012

Saturday Classes: 
The Saturday class is a one-day session and runs from 8:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Pre-registration is required, please call 607-547-6600 for a reservation or to check location.

• February 4, 2012
• April 7, 2012
• June 2, 2012
• August 4, 2012
• October 6, 2012
• December 8, 2012

Diabetes Self-Management Training classes:

Bassett Medical Center offers a comprehensive monthly program in diabetes self-management training and instruction for persons with diabetes who want to learn how to better self-manage their diabetes and decrease their risk of complications. Our certified diabetes educators include RNs, registered dietitians, and an exercise physiologist. Small group classes enhance an individualized, goal oriented approach to learning. The program follows American Diabetes Association guidelines. One full session (four classes) will be held each month. A physician referral and pre-registration is required. Call 607-547-3273 to register and for location. Click here to visit the Diabetes Management support page.

Expectant Parent Classes:

Bassett offers many classes for new parents and families, which provide education, support, and community resources. The classes are listed in order of when we suggest you attend during your pregnancy. If you are interested in any new parent class, please call 1-800-BASSETT to register or 607-547-4593 or visit the "Expectant Parent Classes" page. For information on the Twins, Triplets, and more, please call Beth Beaudet at 607-433-1792.

Third Trimester:

Breastfeeding Workshop: Classes are held the third Wednesday of the odd months from 5:30-7:30 in the inpatient pediatric conference room on the 4th floor. The class is a single two-hour class designed for families who are interested in breast-feeding. The class offers introductory information on why breastfeeding is the best way to feed your infant, how to get started, and how to overcome obstacles. For more information please call 607-547-4593 or register online.

Childbirth Preparation Class: Classes are held in Cooperstown Little Falls and Herkimer. This is an all-day class which offers the expectant couple information and coping skills that encourage active participation in the labor and delivery process. Plan to take the Childbirth Education (CBE) classes during the seventh and eighth month of your pregnancy. To reserve a space, please register by the fifth month of your pregnancy. Please call 1-800-BASSETT or 607-547-4593 for more information or register online. Please note that the three classes in Little Falls and Herkimer are a series and all three should be attended.

Meet a Midwife, Pediatric Provider & New Mom: Held quarterly. Please call 607-547-4593 for more information.

Twins, Triplets & More:

Bassett Healthcare Network - Oneonta Health Center, 125 Main Street, Oneonta - Usually held the third Saturday of every month, 10:30 a.m. - noon, but call ahead to make sure. For more information about this support group, call 607-433-1792.

If you are interested in any new parent class, please call to register at 1-800-BASSETT or 607-547-4593. For information on the Twins, Triplets, and More class, please call Beth Beaudet at 607-433-1792.

Other Resources:

Prenatal Care Assistance Program:

PCAP provides free prenatal care, education, labor, delivery, and infant care to eligible women. If you are eligible, your baby may be covered for one year with no co-payments or deductibles. For more information about the PCAP program, call 607-547-3019.

Medical Coach Offers Digital Mammography Breast Cancer Screenings

Bassett’s new medical coach offers digital mammography, which takes an electronic image of the breast and stores it directly in a computer, allowing the recorded data to be enhanced, magnified, or manipulated for further evaluation. According to the National Cancer Institute, more than 200,000 women are diagnosed with breast cancer in the U.S. each year, making it the most commonly diagnosed cancer in women. More than 40,000 women will die of the disease this year in the United States. 

Women should check with their insurers to see if the tests are covered. Free and reduced-cost mammograms are available to income-eligible women through the New York State Breast Health partnership.

FOR AN APPOINTMENT OR MORE INFORMATION: Call the Bassett Healthcare Network Mobile Mammography Program toll-free 1-888-416-3409. 

Kidney Dialysis & Transplant Support Group:

Group meets at St. James Church, Chestnut St., Oneonta - Last Thursday of the month, 1:00 p.m. For more information, call Beth at 607-547-3873.

Post-Op Only Support Group:

The Post-Op Only Support Group meets quarterly on the third Thursday of the month from 6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. in the Bassett Hall auditorium located on Beaver Street in Cooperstown. Any person who has undergone weight loss surgery is welcome. For more information, call Chris at 607-547-5809.

Scleroderma Support Group:

The Cooperstown Scleroderma Support Group meets on the second Saturday of every month from 10:00 a.m.- Noon in the 2nd floor conference room, fieldstone building. Please call Betzi at 607-547-3527 for more information.

Stroke Support Group:

The Stroke Support Group meets at Cobleskill Regional Hospital in the Morrissey Conference Room the first Wednesday of every month from 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Please call if you are attending for the first time. Winter: weather permitting. For more information, please call Ann Boland at 518-254-3207.

Weight Loss Surgery Support Group:

If you are considering weight loss surgery at Bassett,  you are required to attend three support groups prior to the surgery and to maintain membership in a support group post operatively. The Weight Loss Surgery Support Group meets on the first Tuesday of every month from 6:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. in the Bassett Hall auditorium. Any person considering or has undergone weight loss surgery and their supporters are welcome. For more information, call 607-547-5809.

Gastric Bypass On Track Support Group:

The Gastric Bypass Support Group meets every third Monday of every month from 9:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. in conference room, behind the Outpatient Pharmacy. Any person who has undergone the procedure and any supporters are invited to attend. The objective is to support and reinforce post-op lifestyle requirements.