A.O. Fox Hospital and ONC BOCES Graduate First Class of LPN Nursing Students

Oneonta, N.Y. – Bassett Healthcare Network’s A.O. Fox Hospital and Otsego Northern Catskills Board of Cooperative Educational Services (ONC BOCES) have graduated the first class of LPN students who began their studies since the program transitioned to the hospital in fall 2024. The graduation and pinning ceremony, which took place on June 26, was held at SUNY Oneonta at the Morris Conference Center.

“You didn’t just complete a program, you answered a calling,” said April Erkson, Director of Student Services at ONC BOCES, who offered the program’s welcome address after the processional of new nurses. 23 graduates sat in the front of the room, where there were more than 200 attendees in the audience.

Joan MacDonald, DNP, MSN, RN, President & CEO of Helios Care, who led the LPN program in her former role as Chief Nursing Officer and Vice President of Operations at A.O. Fox Hospital, delivered the keynote address. “You are entering healthcare at a critical time – a time when healthcare needs bold, compassionate, and intelligent nurses more than ever,” she said. “You will be healers, leaders, educators, advocates, and agents of change. You are the heart of healthcare. As you go forward, carry your knowledge with pride, your compassion like a torch, and your courage like a shield. The world needs nurses who care not just with skill, but with soul.”

The 10-month program required students to complete intensive classroom study in the areas of nursing fundamentals, anatomy and physiology, pharmacology, growth and development, maternity and pediatrics, ethics, and other clinical disciplines. The class observed and rotated in clinical areas at A.O. Fox Hospital, Fox Nursing Home, and across Bassett Healthcare Network, gaining essential hands-on experience to accompany the program’s academic components. Students also engaged in clinical simulation laboratories to apply practical skills along their learning journey.

MacDonald and Jennifer Gerster, MSN, RN, Clinical Instructor, led the nurse pinning ceremony, a cherished tradition and rite of passage for nursing students who are transitioning from academics to practice. The pin marks a nurse’s official entry to the field.

“This class is an outstanding and resilient group of people,” said MacDonald. “They will make their mark on the world, and they have joined one of the most noble professions in existence. I am so proud.”

"This collaborative community partnership has opened countless professional doors and opportunities for a driven and talented group of people,” said Dr. Catherine Huber, District Superintendent at ONC BOCES. "Thank you to A.O. Fox Hospital and Bassett Healthcare Network for making this inaugural program between our institutions successful.”

LPN graduates are currently working with Bassett Healthcare Network’s dedicated Nursing Recruitment team as they pursue positions within the health system.

“Bassett is deeply rooted in academic medicine,” said Dr. Angela Belmont, DNP, RN, NEA-BC, Senior Vice President, Chief Nurse Executive at Bassett Healthcare Network. “We are proud to play a crucial role in supporting nursing students through their educational journeys and connecting them with rewarding career opportunities. It is so meaningful that we can provide both a learning ground and a professional path forward. We are committed to their success as future nurses who will serve our communities.”

Class of 2025 LPN Graduates: