Bassett Healthcare Network has hired Dr. Joseph Vukovic as an associate chief of emergency medicine and trauma services to help lead and oversee emergency department operations across the network, according to a news release.
His main focus will be the emergency departments at Cobleskill Regional Hospital and Little Falls Hospital in Herkimer County.
“I feel very strongly about providing the best possible care for patients and have always worked hard to do so,” Vukovic said in a statement.
Vukovic and began his new role in September. He earned his medical degree at the University of Toledo and completed his residency in emergency medicine at Albany Medical Center in 2013. Vukovic is certified by the American Board of Emergency Medicine. He previously practiced with St. Peter’s Health Partners at Samaritan Hospital in Troy.
Vukovic’ served as co-creator of TeleSAFE, a telemedicine initiative launched in 2018 that connects rural and underserved emergency rooms that lack an on-site certified sexual assault forensic examiner with one virtually via a secure video call. SAFEs are expertly trained to provide care and support to sexual assault survivors, the release stated. TeleSAFE has grown into a statewide program, with all hospitals in New York state eligible to receive services at no cost. Each of Bassett’s five hospitals receive TeleSAFE support.
“We are pleased to have (Dr.) Vukovic joining our leadership teams and look forward to benefiting from his unique perspective on providing vital care to patients in rural communities,” said Susan Oakes Ferrucci, president of Cobleskill Regional Hospital and Little Falls Hospital and chief hospital executive of Bassett’s critical access hospitals. “The Emergency Departments at Bassett’s Critical Access Hospitals … provide care to patients facing life-threatening illness or injury close to home, significantly reducing the time they would otherwise have to travel to get care when seconds can make all the difference in their recovery.”
Across Bassett Healthcare Network, a total of 77,864 patients visited Bassett for emergency care in 2025. Cobleskill Regional Hospital is the only provider of emergency-level care in Schoharie County. Little Falls Hospital is the only provider of emergency-level care in Herkimer County. Emergency rooms are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.