Valet Park of America

VPA is happy to be a sponsor for this ride this weekend to benefit the Springfield Rescue Mission. If you are interested, please consider riding!

springfieldrescuemission.org

Thanks to our crew this weekend at the Naumkeag Museum Garden Party in the Berkshires for a job well done at this annual event. Shout out to James Johnson and his Berkshire Med crew, and photo credit to David Edgecomb!

Let Valet Park of America take you out to the ball game! ⚾

We have 14 and 25 passenger shuttles available to provide you and your group with transportation to any baseball game in Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, or Rhode Island!

If you have any questions or would like to inquire about an event, please feel free to call our office at (800)599-8916 ext. 404.

You can also visit us online at www.valetparkofamerica.com or at
www.theknot.com

Follow us on Instagram:
or on Facebook and Instagram

We began a four week pilot program at Blue Back Square on 7/12/24. We provide valet services from 5 PM until 11 PM Friday and Saturday nights. Valet is set up out in front of Fleming’s and Boqueria and is currently complimentary for all Blue Back Square customers.  We have had great feedback so far!

Friday marked the end of our shuttle services at Wynn Hospital in Utica NY. The team provided services during the construction of their garage, and did a great job in the role. On Saturday Regional Manager Dave Maxim took the drivers out to lunch to say thank you for all that they did during the transportation project at Babe’s @ Harbor Point in Utica. Unfortunately, Calys Gonzalez and Tammy Skermont couldn’t make it.

Pictured left to right: Tiara Mitchel, Dave Maxim, Wynn Manager Kyle Yeomans, Skeeter McCorkle and Dan Richards.

Tiara and Skeeter are going to stay on and valet from time to time and Dan has transferred over to Ellis Hospital.

Big congrats to our June 2024 Employee of the Month – Tioga Downs Manager Chelsey Hulbert! It’s rare to have an area go back-to-back with EOM wins, but the Tioga/Binghamton team has done just that!

Chelsey was nominated by Assistant Manager Darren Cody, who writes in part – “Chelsey is one of the most hard-working, driven individuals I’ve ever met. Chelsey also works as an RN in addition to balancing all her leadership responsibilities at VPA. Over the last month and a half she has managed Tioga as well as UHS to initiate the start-up team, working many hours per week, scheduling for both Tioga and UHS (Wilson and BGH locations), all while raising two children. I commend her outstanding work ethic. Since helping out at UHS I have had several customers at Tioga ask about her, stating that ‘they miss seeing her bright smile.’ She’s a well-liked individual amongst co-workers and our customers! Chelsey’s a valuable asset to this company and I am proud to call her my Manager. Her hard work doesn’t go unnoticed! Thank you, Chelsey for all of your hard work!”

Greg Johnson newly appointed Manager at UHS adds: “Chelsey has been the epitome of professionalism from our first encounter. On my second day on the job, I was fortunate enough to have Chelsey train me and I learned so much from her on how to properly do the job but more than anything else; I learned the importance of having the correct people-person skills. She has been a tremendous help in my growth as a Manager and I am grateful for her support!”

We all know how much goes into starting a new location, so this recognition is well warranted! Congrats and thank you to Chelsey for all you do at both of these sites!

We hope you all enjoyed the 4th yesterday!

We’re back with some great feedback that has rolled in lately!

Great shoutout for our Vassar Brothers team about their help with an event – “Herb, please thank your valet team for the excellent service they provided on June 5, 2024 to our cancer survivors who attended our Cancer Survivor Day in O’Shea. Our team really appreciated the extra valet support and service.

Lawrence & Memorial team - Kevin Purcell - A customer called to compliment Kevin. She has been using valet over the last few years and she said everyone is nice, but Kevin really stands out above and beyond the rest of them. He brings her places when Patient Transport is not available, and he just goes the extra mile to help her and always does.

Mount Sinai – “Just wanted to two of your exemplary employees at the Mount Sinai Center in Hartford, Connecticut. Both Destiny and Edrick help us every Tuesday and Thursday when I take my son for his physical therapy. They jump up when they see me pull in. They put his chair together and they put him in the chair and when we leave, they take the chair apart and help me put him in the car. They are both great people!”

Our CT Transportation team brought in a great one as well – “I applaud you and the entire company on the professionalism, the very safe driving, and the friendliness of all the drivers! I am so excited to leave Valet Park of America a rave review and recommend you to all our family and friends who will need transportation in the future!” Drivers for this event were Jaricsa Lopez, Aurelia (Suzy) Gonzalez, Martha Cousin, Hector Diaz and Sam Ghalayini!

Well done to all involved, thanks for all you do!

At Valet Park of America, our team takes pride in their work and want the best for our patrons and clients. Want to know more, see what our patrons and clients have to say!

Leave a review or see more on the sites below!

The Knot:
https://www.theknot.com/marketplace/valet-park-of-america-springfield-ma-958995

Wedding Wire:
https://www.weddingwire.com/biz/valet-park-of-america-springfield/ef43c63d07223410.html

Google:
Just search Valet Park of America!

If you have any questions or would like to inquire about an event, please feel free to call our office at (800)599-8916 ext. 404.

You can also visit us online at www.valetparkofamerica.com or at
www.theknot.com
Follow us on Instagram:
or on Facebook and Instagram

Cheers to 10 years to Zach Mongeau, one of the biggest behind the scenes forces that VPA has. Zach hit the 10 year mark yesterday with us, and is an essential part of everything we do here. While our field staff is the first impression of those entering a facility we serve, Zach is often the first impression of many of our prospective employees. He, like many other leaders here, started in the field, so he’s well suited to select the right team members for the role.

He started back in 2014 in the Springfield area before being part of several large projects for VPA. He helped with the New Haven startup, Marthas Vineyard, Turning Stone, Nantucket, and more. He proved himself a valued and knowledgeable team member, making him a great fit for an HR Manager, a position he has held for most of the 10 years with us. On a daily basis he oversees the hiring and onboarding process for multiple areas, often floating to help regions who have some quick slots to fill. Our Managers know that when Zach is on a project, it will get handled quickly and efficiently, and always appreciate the support.

His work ethic, attention to detail, and drive are all tools he puts to work daily to move this company, our team members, and clients, forward each day.

A sincere thank you for all your efforts in your 10 years, Zach. We could not have done it without you. Here’s to many more! – Tim Duval

We were happy to support our long time partner Upstate Medical University by entering two teams in the Towsley Pro-Am held yesterday. It was a great day on the course supporting a great cause and connecting with some of our crew!

Let’s start the week off with some positivity and 4 bits of amazing feedback received recently!

Ellis Medicine – “I used your service today at Ellis Hospital in Schenectady and I just wanted to commend the 3 men that I was exposed to working there, they are above reproach, they were friendly, efficient, thorough, and explained everything. They ran to get cars, they didn’t just walk - they ran! They were just above and beyond, and it was such a joy to interact with them!”

UHS Johnson City – “Just wanted to commend you on the great service we received on June 11, 2024, at the UHS building for Southern Tier Pulmonary. The attendant was Joshua and he was just the nicest, most helpful valet we've ever had. Thanks so much for such a wonderful experience!”

Danbury Hospital – We received a great compliment for Art and Paul from the Director of Teaching at Nuvance. She wanted to make sure they got some recognition for their hard work. She talked about how nice and kind the two of them were and stated that they both went above and beyond. During an event it got super busy with cars coming in and these two were both proactive and handled it very well!

Mount Sinai – The customer stated that she has been using the Valet service at Mt. Sinai Hospital for some time now. Every time she uses the services, Edrick and Destiny are wonderful. She REALLY appreciates the service they provide. They are both so very personable. On the day of the call she did not want to use the service because she did not have any money to leave a tip. (we told her tipping is not required—and she said Edrick said the same thing today which made her feel good)
Edrick made her feel so at ease and she really appreciates how nice they are to her every time she goes in!

Outstanding job to all involved – let’s keep it rolling this week!

“Marcus saved this person's life!” Congrats to our May 2024 Employee of the Month – Marcus Violando, of UHS Binghamton’s Johnson City facility! VPA began providing services on May 6th, and it did not take long before Marcus found himself in the right place at the right time on May 14th to save a life.

He was nominated by Operations Manager Damian Denesha, who was helping with the startup of this location. He writes: “At about noon Marcus contacted me over the radio to make me aware that a patient had fallen over at the entrance. I asked if he had alerted Security, which he had. He assured me that security was assisting with the emergency and that we were quick to assist with the situation. I didn't think much else of it and used this situation as an example to remind everyone of the importance of always being alert, and attentive, especially, when at the podium.

About 30 min later I received a call from security, requesting my presence. After reviewing the security footage, you can see Marcus greeting the passenger door for the patient as they arrived and assisting until they exited the vehicle. Marcus then starts walking away but quickly turns around when he sees the patient lose their footing and fall backwards. At the same time, the vehicle who dropped the patient off starts to depart, without realizing their passenger had just fallen alongside the vehicle! Marcus jumps to the rescue and lifts the patients head out of harm’s way, as the vehicle was about to run right over the passenger's head!

I can't exaggerate this enough; Marcus literally saved this person's life! After witnessing this situation, I applauded Marcus for a job well done and expressed my appreciation for his heroic effort. Marcus told me he felt the tire rub against the back of his hand but he was unharmed. This was truly a close call. How Marcus handled and responded to this situation is what VPA is all about!”

Today the team at UHS got together to celebrate Marcus! Pictured left to right are Tim Hubbard (UHS Security Manager), A.J. VanNostrand (UHS Security Department Manager), Marcus, Chelsey Hulbert, Jason Sullivan (Security Guard), Greg Johnson (VPA UHS Manager).

We are happy to be helping our friends at the University of Rochester Medical Center’s Eastman Dental Office! The access to their parking facility is under construction, so the solution is a cart shuttle service. The team, including Annie (pictured here) have already transported over 700 riders since starting June 10th. Great job to all involved in getting this unique project started!

Good morning everyone, I’m sorry to share this on Father’s Day, but we have the unfortunate news to share of the passing of one of our own. Pattie Bartoli, a long time Parking Clerk at Memorial Hospital in Worcester, passed away last week. She was taken entirely too early and was a wonderful part of our team for many years. Services are tomorrow night and Tuesday morning. Our deepest condolences to her family, friends and coworkers. We’ll miss you, Pattie!!

Patricia Bartoli Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information Share Memories of Patricia & Support the Bartoli Family

Got plans? Call Valet Park of America today to schedule your concert transportation! Our shuttles can transport you to and from the concert!

If you have any questions or would like to inquire about an event, please feel free to call our office at (800)599-8916 ext. 404

You can also visit us online at www.valetparkofamerica.com or at
www.theknot.com
Follow us on Instagram:

Shout out to Tim, Anthony, and Tommy – the team at Northern Dutchess Hospital! This crew made a patient’s visits a little brighter, and were thanked with a wonderful gift basket and thank you card.

This team made the patient look forward to seeing her ‘boyfriends’ on arrival – the highlight of her trips.

Thanks for improving the patient experience – well done!!

We were thrilled to support Baystate Children’s Hospital’s Golf Tournament - Fore the kids. Our teams hit the links on Monday’s and had a great day in the sun supporting this wonderful cause. VPA was a proud sponsor for the event.

Cheers to 10 years to UMass Medical Center Assistant Manager Will Zick! Will has been with us since May 2014. He has been hard working, reliable & dedicated since Day 1. Will worked as the ER Captain at Umass for many years and has recently moved into a managerial role this year as part of the Umass Valet Management Team, as well as a weekend Area Manager. On May 29th he celebrated 10 years with VPA. Thanks Will for all you do!

Next week, we'll be hitting the links to support care for kids at the Baystate Children's Hospital Golf Tournament! Thank you to our incredible sponsors who help make miracles for local kids, including Health New England, Shields Health Solutions, AMR of Springfield, Balise Lexus, Jim and Barbara Sadowsky & family, Brenna and Ron Sadowsky & family, Dr. and Mrs. Thomas Campfield, Raymond McCarthy, New England Copy Specialists, Vartanian Custom Cabinets, Iron Duke Brewing, Valet Park of America, Quality Beverage, and Teed Capital Management of Raymond James

It’s late, but Regional Manager Allen Klinger is out there getting it done, covering a shift this evening in New London CT at Lawrence & Memorial Hospital. He has shuttle 146 ready to take some 2nd shift people home!

5 years went fast, we miss you, Richie!

RIP Richie - VPA lost a member of our family yesterday. Richard “Richie” O’Brien, one of our longest tenured shuttle drivers, passed away. Richie started with VPA over 13 years ago, back in March of 2006. I remember interviewing him at the old office at 191 Chestnut Street - I believe we were about to start providing services for a construction project at Baystate, and in walked Rich. Before starting with us, he was a coach bus driver, and brought a wealth of experience to VPA at a time when we were expanding our transportation services. He was always popular with his coworkers and passengers, making lasting connections even when he only had a short time to do so.

From charters, to start ups, to regular clients, Rich worked them all. I started trying to write a list of all the locations he worked, but there are just too many. Every time we started a new service, or had a regular driver that needed coverage, Richie was the go-to-guy for many years. Regional Managers outside of his area knew that if they could get Rich assigned to their location, even for a brief period, they were in good hands.

Rich had a lasting impact on many of us. I’ll miss him coming to the office to bust my chops about something, or just to say “hey, how ya’ doin’, how ya’ been?” He was a good one, and I know I speak for many of us when I say that we will miss him.

Word got around earlier today to some of his passengers that Rich had passed. Before we had time to post this message, we already received messages from 2 regular customers at Holyoke Med, where Richie had settled into a role the past few years.

One passenger simply stated that Richie called him every morning just to check in, and he will miss him dearly. Another family commented “Rich was one of the finest men you could have met. His kindness and compassion was his trademark. He will be missed very much, our thoughts and prayers will be with you Rich!” They went on to explain that on his lunch breaks at HMC, he was visiting this family in the hospital.

His connection to his passengers, coworkers, and all of us will last. Rich was a good man and we will all miss his presence.

Services are Monday 6/10 from 4pm-7pm and Tuesday 6/11. Details and more insight into his personal life can be found in this wonderful tribute to a great guy. https://www.currentobituary.com/obit/233632

Our thoughts are with his family, friends, coworkers, and all the passengers that he had a lasting impact on. Rest easy Richie, we’ll be thinking of you.

We have 2 Joe’s in our main office. Both have milestone birthdays this month (30 & 50), so we called in our friends from Log Rolling to come down with their food truck to help celebrate! Happy birthday to Joe Green and Joe Pelletier!

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our esteemed sponsors for their generous support of Dine Springfield Restaurant Week. Your contribution has been invaluable in making this event a resounding success.

Thank you Valet Park of America!

Let’s start the week off on a positive note! Shout out to our team at the Smilow Cancer Center at Saint Francis Hospital. This crew has been featured several times for their great service, but this compliment is what it’s all about!

In a compliment phone call to the hospital about the care of her husband, a grateful wife gushes: “The chief on top is definitely the valet parkers who from the start to the finish of our day are so concerned about helping us with our walkers or wheelchairs and always ask when will I see you next? That means so much!”

When the service of our team is mentioned as part of the healing process along with the work of our clinical partners inside the facility, it showcases how much of an impact a positive first and last impression can be for patients and visitors.

Thank you to Scott, Julian, Carlos, and the other regulars at the Cancer Center for all of your efforts – you are truly making a difference!

This week we began providing services at United Health Services (UHS) in Binghamton and Johnson City, NY!

Our team got off to a great start providing a positive first and last impression for patients and visitors at these sites, already improving the patient experience.

Thank you to all of our staff working on site, as well as behind the scenes, getting these locations up and running!

Congrats to our April Employee of the Month – Jack McCarthy!

We shared this story earlier this month, but with Jack’s actions that day, it’s no surprise he was voted EOM!

Shout out to Cooley Dickinson Manager, Jack McCarthy - Jack did a great job helping handle a very stressful situation last week. Currently the hospital is undergoing major construction to renovate its Emergency Department. We have a team of ambassadors there to help direct people where to park, how to enter, and also keep the traffic moving and ambulance areas clear as room is incredibly tight.

A vehicle pulled up by the ambulance area stating that he needed to get his passenger in to the hospital. Jack quickly went to grab a wheelchair for the passenger. As the passenger was getting out of the vehicle into the wheelchair it became apparent that she was pregnant. They didn’t make it that far from the car before she started going into labor.

Jack quickly went inside to get medical assistance which in turn, quickly came outside to assist. Jack stayed on scene to try to give as much extra support as he could provide while our medical partners did their thing! Thanks to Jack for his quick responses throughout this entire ordeal!

Great job and congrats, Jack!

Cheers to 15 years to HR Manager Nate Rowe of the Albany/Capital Region NY. Nate started with VPA back on May 4th 2009!

In his time with us he has worked nearly every location in the Capital Region, with extensive time spent recently as the Manager at both Glens Falls and Saratoga Hospitals. He’s helped on Nantucket, managed at ski resorts, worked countless events and shifts at Albany Med and Saint Peters. Nate also played a major role in the startup at VBMC.

His current role involves leading the recruitment, training, scheduling and management of all staff in the Capital Region, a position he has held for nearly 2 years.

Outside of work, Nate can usually be found on the top of a mountain, on his paddleboard, or with his wife and dogs at home. He’s proud to be an Adirondack 46’er – climbing all 46 mountains in the Adirondacks that are over 4000 feet in elevation. If that wasn’t enough, Nate also practices and competes in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu!

Thanks to Nate for your dedication to this company in a wide variety of roles over the last 15 years – we appreciate all you do!

Our Worcester team was glad to provide services for the PINK Lighting the Way Event, put on by UMass Memorial, and held at the Hanover Theater last night. This annual event - which VPA is proud to sponsor, and provide services for - honors, remembers, and supports those diagnosed with breast cancer.

Today we expanded services at the Wynn Hospital in Utica NY to include service at their Emergency Department! Service is offered 8am-12am, 7 days per week. Pictured are Jay and Riley ready to help ensure easy access to the ED for all!

Life Flight 3, UMass Memorial Medical Center's custom Critical Care Ground Truck, has been in the works since 2019. With delivery of this beautiful transport asset, thanks to our partnership with Coastal Medical Transportation Systems, we continue to build a foundation of excellence in care wherever we may go.

Though UMass Memorial LifeFlight is primarily an air medical program, we still provide critical care via any ground truck when needed due to weather or other restrictions. However, unlike any other ground asset that we may use, this truck is built with our delivery model (Mobile ICU) in mind.

Some features include:

- Extended crew cab to provide safer forward transportation of crew when not patient loaded
- Patient compartment with optimized layout for seating of crew members (up to 4 total)
- Large quantities of oxygen for extended distances, periods of time and those requiring high delivery settings
- Multiple access points to oxygen and power throughout patient compartment for any equipment that may require it (e.g. Mobile Transport Vent, ECMO Oxygenator, etc.)
- Specialty inverter to power specialty equipment needed during transport (e.g. High Flow Heater)
- Backup generator incase of power failure, capable of extended use
- Optimized cabin spaces (with power) for storage and securement of equipment when not being used.
- Specialized balloon pump securement space
- Powered stretcher and power load system to help with onboarding and securing patients of all sizes and with multiple pieces of equipment to reduce risk of injury

Photo: Michael Boynton of Mass Firetrucks