Van Slyke Named to Environmental Services Post

GREENFIELD — Amanda Van Slyke of Springfield has been appointed manager of Environmental Services at Franklin Medical Center. In this role, she oversees a staff of about 35 individuals who are responsible for housekeeping, floor care, hazardous waste disposal, and general custodial duties.

Van Slyke comes to Franklin from Baystate Medical Center, where she was the supervisor of Baystate’s cafeteria, which serves between 2,000 and 2,500 individuals daily. Under her leadership, the cafeteria initiated several new options, including the sauté section and a fresh salad station where customers could select foods to be made to order. Previous to her position at Baystate, Van Slyke worked for Aetna Life Insurance in Syracuse, N.Y.

“I’ve been very lucky working for Baystate Health,” Van Slyke noted. I have been able to work my way up in the health system to the position I have now. As a single mom, I stopped work at Aetna and took waitressing and bartending jobs so I could be home during the day and work when my son was sleeping. During that time, I also started catering for family and friends, and discovered my passion for cooking and food services.”

When Van Slyke attended a job fair at Baystate five years ago, she actually intended to apply for a position that would utilize her insurance background. “Instead, the Food Services manager noticed my catering background and steered me in that direction.”

Regarding her move to Franklin Medical Center, Van Slyke noted, “this is a wonderful career advancement for me, an opportunity to grow and learn a completely different aspect of health care. And I still get to work closely with Food Services, helping them with special events and functions and covering for the Food Services manager in his absence.

“I love working at Franklin,” Van Slyke continued. “I love the people, my staff, and especially the relationship we have with both the internal community and the outside community.”