Bassett COO Bertine McKenna

Planning To Step Down Shortly

COOPERSTOWN – Bassett Healthcare Network’s chief operating officer for the past 13 years, Bertine McKenna, is retiring, she and President/CEO Vance Brown announced jointly today.

Brown and McKenna said succession planning for network operations has routinely been discussed since he arrived. When it comes to succession planning, most companies decide to recruit internally, so they can prepare and train these employees as soon as they start showing promise. But all in all, it’s about hiring the best person for the job so they can fill the void left by chief operating officers, like McKenna. Bassett will now undertake a national search for a new executive vice president (EVP) and chief operating officer (COO). The search for a successor is expected to take several months.

At Brown’s request, McKenna will stay on at Bassett for a period of time to help assure a smooth transition of her operational responsibilities on an interim basis while the search for a new EVP/COO is conducted.

McKenna, a Ph.D., has been Bassett’s executive vice president and chief operating officer for 13 years and has over 30 years of experience in health care leadership. She plans to remain in Cooperstown.

Brown praised McKenna for “for her extraordinary contributions to Bassett and her great assistance to me as I adapted to my new role. In the 10 months since I came to Bassett, I have witnessed Dr. McKenna’s tireless efforts on behalf of our patients and the organization. Throughout her tenure, she has been a staunch advocate for improving quality, safety and service.”