Bassett Healthcare Network Welcomes Santo F. Russo, JD, as SVP, Chief Legal Officer

Hartwick College Alum Joins Bassett after More Than Two Decades in Healthcare & Fortune 25 Companies

Bassett Healthcare Network has appointed Santo F. Russo, JD, as its new SVP, Chief Legal Officer (CLO).

Russo arrives at Bassett with more than 20 years of legal experience in healthcare and Fortune 25 environments. Most recently, he served as CLO and Corporate Secretary for New York Quality Healthcare Corporation, also known as Fidelis Care, a subsidiary of Centene Corporation.

"We are pleased to welcome Santo to Bassett's executive leadership team," says Staci Thompson, MHA, FACMPE, President & CEO of Bassett Healthcare Network. "He is a highly accomplished leader who will bring critical expertise to our health system. As Bassett continues vital growth efforts and focuses on our 2026-2028 strategic plan, Santo joins us at an exciting time. His proven leadership, deep knowledge, and fresh perspective will help support our organization's strategic priorities and long-term growth."

Russo earned his juris doctor degree from Fordham University School of Law in New York, NY, and his Bachelor of Arts degree in political science from Hartwick College in Oneonta, NY. He has served nine years on the Hartwick College Board of Trustees, including as Vice Chair and Governance Committee Chair.

"Upstate New York is an incredibly special place for me," Russo noted. "Having attended college in Oneonta, I began growing roots here many years ago - and always stayed connected in some capacity. I am excited that my career has come full-circle and I can once again call this area home. I am thrilled to join Bassett Healthcare Network's impactful mission serving our rural communities, and I look forward to working with our leadership team and caregivers across the network in order to contribute to this great community."

Russo succeeds Paul Uhrig, who served as Bassett's Chief Legal Officer from 2020 until his departure from the network in July 2026.