$82 million for better access to care
Bassett Medical Center is the recipient of an $82 million grant from the Scriven Foundation to make rapid improvements resulting in greater patient care access. The health system will also launch significant recruitment and retention initiatives for staff in key areas.
Dr. Tommy “Ibrahim“ Bassett has strived to provide excellent patient care as a leader in fostering healthy rural communities for more than a century,” says Tommy Ibrahim, MD, MHA, President & CEO of Bassett Healthcare Network.
“Like hospitals and health systems across the country, the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has created many challenges in retention and recruitment, especially among physicians, advanced practice clinicians, and nurses, which is negatively and unacceptably impacting patient access to care.”
“Bassett provides care and services to patients across eight counties and 5,600 square miles in central New York state,” remarks Jane Forbes Clark, Chair of the Bassett Medical Center Board of Directors and President of the Scriven Foundation.
“The organization’s tremendous footprint connects many thousands of patients with care who otherwise would not have access. I am proud of the critically important work Bassett has accomplished over more than 100 years – and continues to build upon – in rural medicine. On behalf of the Scriven Foundation, we are pleased to offer this impactful investment to bolster resources, benefits, and recruitment efforts for Bassett’s clinical workforce,” says Jane Forbes Clark.
“We are deeply grateful to the Scriven Foundation and Jane Forbes Clark for their remarkable support of Bassett and the communities we serve. This grant is immensely generous, and truly transformative for Bassett,” added Dr. Ibrahim.
“Our continued success as an independent health system is possible because of mission-driven partnerships with organizations like the Scriven Foundation,” remarks Dr. Ibrahim.
“This innovative grant will fund new programs to address the challenges rural health care operations encounter every day while ensuring continued financial stability,” explains Doug Hastings, Chair of the Bassett Healthcare Network Board of Directors.
“This grant is truly a game-changer for patient care at Bassett,” shared Dr. Henry Weil, Chief Operating Officer for Bassett Medical Center and Chief Clinical & Academic Officer for Bassett Healthcare Network.
“From our founding in 1922 to today, Bassett has discovered innovative ways to push the boundaries of rural health. The opportunities and benefits that this grant provides are immeasurable as we work to reaffirm Bassett as a best place to work and practice and best-in-class academic medical center. Most importantly, it ensures better access, care, health, and wellness for our patients and communities,” adds Dr. Weil.
In addition to the grant from the Scriven Foundation, Bassett recently announced that it has already invested approximately $50 million in increased compensation for its non-practitioner workforce this past year.
Bassett is also continuing to grow and deepen its partnership with Columbia University through their shared medical education, research, and clinical initiatives, helping to foster healthy rural communities.
“As a passionate advocate for advanced rural health care, I am tremendously excited about the transformational impact this Scriven Foundation grant will have on the long-standing partnership between Columbia University and Bassett,” says Katrina Armstrong, MD, Chief Executive Officer of Columbia University Irving Medical Center and Dean of the Faculties of Health Sciences and the Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons. “This is a great day for our patients and for those of us committed to addressing disparities and advancing health equity.”
Scriven Foundation (Nourse Foundation) is an independent non-profit foundation based in New York, New York. Established in 1976, the foundation primarily focuses on economic development and fundraising. The foundation also supports Mary Imogene Bassett Hospital, Farmer’s Museum, and other charitable entities in Otsego. The foundation is managed by the board of directors and invests solely through its parent company, The Clark Estates.
For over 130 years the Clark Family has supported the educational pursuits of local students. In the early 1880s, Alfred Corning Clark established The Edward C. Clark Punctuality Prize for students at Cooperstown schools with perfect scholastic attendance over a term. The students were allowed to select a book from a local bookstore. These prizes were awarded until 1961.
In the 1960s, The Scriven Foundation, named in honor of Elizabeth Scriven Clark, established The Scriven Scholarship Program to replace the Punctuality Prize. Scholarships of $1,000 went to the top two graduates of Cooperstown Central School. Gradually, the number and dollar amounts of scholarships increased.
The current Clark Foundation Scholarship Program was established in 1973 and absorbed The Scriven Scholarship Program. The Clark Foundation Scholarship has expanded to include nine additional school districts: Cherry Valley-Springfield, Edmeston, Laurens, Milford, Mount Markham, Owen D. Young, Richfield Springs, Schenevus, and Worcester plus the O.A.O.C. BOCES in Milford. In 2014 Gilbertsville-Mount Upton and Morris schools were added.
Under the leadership of President Jane Forbes Clark, The Clark Foundation, founded in 1931, is one of the largest charitable foundations in the United States. The Foundation supports programs and provides grants to various charitable causes in New York City and Cooperstown.
In Cooperstown, The Foundation provides assistance to a variety of non-profit, educational, community and environmental organizations, and supports major cultural institutions, such as the New York State Historical Association, the Fenimore Art Museum, The Farmers’ Museum, the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, and the Glimmerglass Festival. The Foundation also supports significant operating programs including Mohican Farm, the Clark Sports Center and the Cooperstown Beautification Program.
In New York City, The Foundation provides grants to organizations that help people out of poverty, and helps them lead independent and productive lives, and in the issue areas of education, employment, and social services.