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Posted: 12-Feb-26
Location: Cooperstown, New York
Type: Full Time
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Salary Details:
Preferred Education:
Internal Number: 35941
The Opportunity
Bassett Healthcare Network (Bassett), a leading integrated academic health system in rural upstate New York, is seeking an experienced and visionary physician leader to serve as Chief of The Bassett Cancer Institute. This role presents a unique opportunity to shape the strategic direction, drive clinical excellence, and promote the continued growth of oncology services across the network. Based in Cooperstown, Bassett serves a rural eight-county region covering 5,600 square miles in upstate New York and is a major teaching affiliate of Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and surgeons. Bassett Healthcare Network has identified cancer care as a key pillar of the system’s three-year strategic plan to expand access to high quality clinical treatments and research, and address outcome disparities in rural communities. In collaboration with system leadership, the new Chief will play a key role in the development of programs, research and partnerships to advance these goals.
Reporting to the Senior Vice President, Chief Clinical & Academic Officer of Bassett Healthcare Network, the new Chief will provide strategic and clinical leadership for Hematology, Medical Oncology and Radiation Oncology services. In close collaboration with surgical oncology, the Chief will promote integrated cancer care across the system. The ideal candidate will demonstrate a strong commitment to patient-centered care, operational innovation, and collaborative team leadership aligned with Bassett’s mission to improve the health of rural communities through compassionate, high-quality care.
The Bassett Cancer Institute’s Regional Cancer Program has been continuously accredited by the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer as a Comprehensive Community Cancer Center since 1947 The accreditation maintains Bassett’s position as one of the longest standing Commission on Cancer accredited programs in the country. The program is also a member of the ECOG-ACRIN with close to 30 years of participation in NCI and sponsored clinical trials.
The Organization
Bassett Healthcare Network is anchored by Bassett Medical Center in Cooperstown, a nationally recognized tertiary care hospital that combines traditional inpatient services with advanced diagnostic and outpatient capabilities. As the region’s hub for complex care, Bassett Medical Center provides specialized services such as open?heart surgery, daVinci robot?assisted procedures, neurosurgery, trauma care, advanced cancer treatment, vascular care, and sophisticated orthopedic and spine care. The hospital is also home to the Bassett Heart Care Institute and the Bassett Cancer Institute, reinforcing its important role in delivering high?level specialty care across Central New York. Bassett Medical Group, a full?time, salaried team of more than 500 physicians and advanced practice clinicians, deliver primary and specialty care both in Cooperstown and throughout the region, including more than two dozen community-based primary care centers and a robust school-based health network.
Beyond its flagship medical center, Bassett includes four community hospitals, a fifth hospital dedicated to emergency care as well as laboratory and radiology services, at home care services, short?stay rehabilitation, long?term care offerings, and an assisted?living facility—collectively forming a comprehensive, integrated delivery system. The organization also maintains a strong commitment to population health and community well?being. Through the Center for Rural Community Health and the New York Center for Agricultural Medicine and Health (NYCAMH), Bassett conducts clinical research, population studies, and public health assessments focused on rural health challenges, occupational safety, and community health improvement.
Key Responsibilities
The Chief provides strategic and operational leadership for the Bassett Cancer Institute, cultivating a culture of excellence in clinical care, education, and research while shaping a departmental structure that meets the needs of each location across the system. This includes ensuring integrated, patient centered care through close collaboration with Surgical Oncology and other specialties, standardizing quality and safety practices across all sites, and overseeing staffing, workflows, and clinical operations to support timely and appropriate cancer centered care through close collaboration with Surgical Oncology and other specialties, standardizing quality and safety practices across all sites, and overseeing staffing, workflows, and clinical operations to support timely and appropriate care. The position also leads interdisciplinary support teams and directs recruitment and retention efforts for oncology services systemwide. Additional responsibilities include effective management of departmental financial resources and as an active member of the medical staff, provides outpatient clinical care.
Minimum Qualifications
Education and Licensure
- MD/DO or equivalent with current Board certification in hematology and medical oncology with a strong clinical focus
- Eligibility for New York State medical license
Experience and Competencies
- A minimum of seven years of postgraduate clinical experience in an academic or community-based cancer program.
- Proven experience in leading a clinical program, quality initiatives, graduate medical education or research.
- Effective and strong interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to lead and create a culture of engagement and teamwork.
- Experience in recruiting, developing, and mentoring physician talent.