Bassett Healthcare Network Presents Practitioner of the Year and Caregiver of the Year Awards

Cooperstown, N.Y. – Bassett Healthcare Network has presented two employees with the first Spotlight On Excellence Annual Award.

Chelsea Doig, PA was presented with the Practitioner of the Year award on March 17 at the school-based health conference hosted by Bassett. Chelsea began at Bassett in 2016 as an Emergency Room Tech at O’Connor Hospital while she completed her education to become a physician assistant (PA). In April of 2021, Chelsea became a PA at the Walton Health Center. She has since transitioned to working at the Delaware Academy School-Based Health Center in Delhi.

"She is an incredibly hard worker who helps her patients achieve their best health," said one nominating colleague. "She has compassion that I have never seen before in a provider," said another.

Dr. Valerie Bush was presented with the Caregiver of the Year award on March 29. Dr. Bush joined Bassett in 2004 as Bassett Medical Center’s Clinical Laboratory Director. Dr. Bush’s role has since expanded, and she now serves as the Lab Director for both O’Connor Hospital in Delhi and A.O. Fox Hospital Tri-Town Emergency Department in Sidney. She received her award at a surprise ceremony in Cooperstown with colleagues joining in virtually from all over the network. Her colleagues praised her leadership as a rare combination of knowledge, enthusiasm, innovation, and responsiveness to others.

"She is the yardstick by which we all measure ourselves," said one nominator.

“Dr. Valerie Bush and Chelsea Doig are remarkable caregivers,” said Dr. Tommy Ibrahim, Bassett President and CEO. “They stand out as an inspiration and example for us all. Valerie and Chelsea are representative of countless others at Bassett dedicated to improving the health and well-being of others. I am proud they are my coworkers and grateful they are serving our community.”

The Caregiver of the Year and Practitioner of the Year awards are part of a network-wide Spotlight on Excellence award program. This program recognizes Bassett employees who embody Bassett’s core values of courage, unity, and excellence. The program also presents quarterly awards throughout the year.

Photo Caption: From left: Dr. Tommy Ibrahim, President and CEO, Bassett Healthcare Network; Chelsea Doig, PA, Delaware Academy School-Based Health Center; and Dr. Monica Brané, Chief of Pediatrics, Bassett Healthcare Network.