ONC BOCES LPN students celebrate first-ever day at A.O. Fox Hospital

ONEONTA, NY (WUTR/WFXV/WPNY) — Assemblyman Brian Miller was on hand in Oneonta on Thursday, August 29 to welcome the first-ever class of Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) from the Otsego-Northern Catskills BOCES to begin their studies at A.O. Fox Hospital in Oneonta.

The program’s inaugural class — which will have 34 students in it — held a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the hospital on Thursday, following an orientation on Wednesday, August 28.

“There is no better place to learn the necessary skills for a career in nursing and become immersed in a clinical environment than in a hospital setting,” Dr. Joan MacDonald, Chief Nursing Officer at A.O. Fox Hospital, said in a statement. “On behalf of A.O. Fox Hospital and the greater Bassett Healthcare Network, we are ecstatic to welcome our first class of LPN students – who are now an important part of our hospital community – and provide the essential resources, experience, and support to help them pursue rewarding careers in healthcare.”

In the first few months at the hospital, students will undertake intensive classroom studies in a variety of disciplines, including pharmacology, maternity and pediatrics. The hospital says that as soon as November, students will be able to observe various clinical areas at the hospital, as well as several healthcare facilities within the Bassett Healthcare Network. Students will also study in clinical simulation laboratories that the hospital says will allow them to apply their practical skills.

“This program, with a history spanning over 60 years, has long been a cornerstone of our community. Today, as we cut this ribbon, we mark the continuation of that legacy and the beginning of a new chapter that promises to be even more impactful, thanks to incredible partnerships and support,” Dr. Catherine Huber, District Superintendent at ONC BOCES, said in a statement. “I want to extend our deepest gratitude to Bassett Healthcare Network and A.O. Fox Hospital Chief Nursing Officer Joan MacDonald. They have truly gone above and beyond, and we are incredibly grateful.”

Bassett Healthcare Network runs several facilities across the Mohawk Valley, including the Bassett Medical Center in Cooperstown, Valley Health Services in Herkimer, and the Little Falls Hospital.

“Re-establishing the Practical Nurse Program is more than an educational initiative – it is a vital contribution to our nursing community and embodies our dedication to advancing healthcare,” Margaret Kiss, the Clinical Program Director at ONC BOCES, said in a statement. “This program will equip aspiring nurses with the skills and knowledge needed to make a profound impact in our local hospitals, clinics, and beyond.”

The inaugural classes will begin on Tuesday, September 3.

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