Bassett Applauds Seven Caregivers on Earning Doctoral Degrees in Nursing

Cooperstown, N.Y. – Bassett Healthcare Network announced today that seven of its nursing leaders earned Doctor of Nursing Practice degrees from Case Western Reserve University. This degree is recognized by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing as the highest level of preparation for Clinical Nursing.Six of the cohort received their degrees on May 19, while a seventh member is expected to receive her degree this summer.

Bassett Healthcare Network provided complete tuition support as well as schedule flexibility, enabling cohort members to complete classwork while working full-time.

“We are extremely grateful to this exceptional group of nursing leaders for their commitment to expanding their knowledge for the benefit of our patients,” said Dr. Tommy Ibrahim, President & CEO of Bassett Healthcare Network. “It is a privilege to invest in our nursing leadership and support them in their achievement.”

The rigorous doctoral program leading to this highly respected degree is designed to expand the focus of the participants in practice leadership, educational leadership, and executive leadership. The university’s website states: “Nursing doctorate graduates apply their education and expertise in leadership roles on the front lines of nursing, in clinical practice, administration, teaching, systematic improvement, and health policy design and development.”

Angela Belmont, DNP, RN, NEA-BC, Senior Vice President and Chief Nurse Executive at Bassett Healthcare Network, said: “The goal of this program is not only to increase the knowledge of these leaders. It is to use that knowledge to benefit our patients throughout our network of hospitals and clinics.” 

The Doctor of Nursing Practice cohort includes nursing leaders from across Bassett Healthcare Network, who participated in the program both online and in person at Case Western Reserve University’s campus, based in Cleveland, Ohio.

The doctoral recipients are:

Tammy Aiken, MSN, RN, SANE, DNP

Director of Emergency & Trauma Services, Bassett Healthcare Network

Director of Critical Care, Bassett Medical Center

Jan (Jeanet) Calhoun, MSN, RN, EMT, DNP

Program Manager, Emergency & Trauma Services, Bassett Medical Center

Daniel Endress, MS, RN, CMSRN, DNP

Director of Nursing & Operations, O’Connor Hospital

Susan Oakes Ferrucci, MSN, RN, CNS, DNP

Vice President, Chief Hospital Executive and Chief Nursing Officer

Critical Access Hospitals Division – Cobleskill Regional Hospital, Little Falls Hospital,

O’Connor Hospital

Joan MacDonald, MSN, RN, DNP

Chief Nursing Officer, Vice President of Patient Care Services, Vice President of Operations, A.O. Fox Hospital

Paula Moshier, MSHA, BSN, RN, CPHRM, DNP

Vice President of Quality & Patient Experience, Bassett Medical Center 

The doctoral candidate is:

Julie Hall, MSN, RN (DNP Candidate)

Chief Nursing Officer and Vice President of Patient Services, Bassett Medical Center

“I think the most important message is how grateful we are that Bassett supported us as a cohort to pursue this education,” said Susan Oakes Ferrucci, Chief Hospital Executive and Chief Nursing Officer, Critical Access Hospitals Division, based at Cobleskill Regional Hospital. “I look forward to the future of Bassett with so many doctoral prepared nurse leaders.”

“I am forever grateful to Bassett for this opportunity, and I am grateful to my cohort. We helped and supported each other and kept each other moving forward to meet our goals and deadlines,” said Jan Calhoun, Trauma Program Manager of Emergency & Trauma Services at Bassett Medical Center.