Bassett Healthcare Network Honors Volunteers During National Volunteer Week

Join Bassett’s Volunteer Team and Make a Difference in Your Community

Cooperstown, NY – During National Volunteer Week from April 21 to 27, Bassett Healthcare Network is celebrating its many volunteers while spreading the word about volunteer opportunities available across the health system.

National Volunteer Week, which takes place every April, recognizes the contributions of volunteers throughout America. Bassett Healthcare Network President and CEO Staci Thompson, MHA, FACMPE, expressed the organization's gratitude: 

"With simple acts of kindness or by providing support to patients, families, and our caregivers in countless ways, volunteers contribute immeasurably to the health and wellbeing of our communities. We are deeply grateful for our volunteers during National Volunteer Week, and every day, throughout the year."

During National Volunteer Week, Bassett Healthcare Network is celebrating its volunteers in a few special ways, including with free meals for all volunteers at locations throughout the network on April 24.

"Volunteers have always been an integral part of Bassett," said Kyle Leisner, Director of Volunteer Services and Spiritual Care at Bassett Healthcare Network. 

"We are so proud of our volunteers for the gift of their time, their compassion, and their commitment to helping others. Every volunteer makes a huge difference in the care of our patients."

Bassett Healthcare Network is welcoming volunteers across its hospitals, clinics, and long-term care facilities – and there are many ways to help. People can volunteer individually or with groups in different areas of care, including outpatient clinics, inpatient settings, nursing homes, emergency rooms, medical units, and information desks.

Volunteers can help with tasks either at the bedside or in the background, like greeting patients and helping them to their destinations, bringing blankets, delivering flowers, providing companionship to patients and residents, helping with activities, doing clerical work, and much more. Specialized opportunities are also available in spiritual care providing comfort to terminally ill patients. Additionally, Bassett is always seeking new volunteers for its pet therapy program, which certifies participants' dogs through Therapy Dogs International.

Volunteer opportunities are available throughout Bassett's eight-county service area at A.O. Fox Hospital or A.O. Fox Nursing Home in Oneonta, A.O. Fox – Tri-Town Campus in Sidney, Bassett Medical Center in Cooperstown, Cobleskill Regional Hospital, Little Falls Hospital, O'Connor Hospital in Delhi, Valley Health Services or Valley Residential Services in Herkimer, and many other outpatient clinics and settings.

Bassett trains and orients volunteers in hospital procedures to assure their safety and the safety of others. Volunteers must be at least 14 years old. More information is available here, or contact Kyle Leisner, Director of Volunteer Services and Spiritual Care, to apply today at (607) 547-3219 or kyle.leisner@bassett.org.

About Bassett Healthcare Network

Bassett Healthcare Network is an integrated health system that provides care and services to people living in a 5,600 square mile region in central New York. The organization includes five corporately affiliated hospitals, over two dozen community-based health centers, more than 20 school-based health centers, two skilled nursing facilities, and other health partners in related fields. To learn more about services available throughout the Bassett Healthcare Network, visit www.bassett.org. Follow Bassett on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), and LinkedIn. Bassett Healthcare Network is an equal opportunity provider and employer.