Valerie A. McPartland, PA-C

Valerie Mele is a board-certified Physician Assistant. Valerie earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Biology with a Minor in Deaf Studies from SUNY New Paltz and her Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies from Pace University. Her clinical interests include mental health, orthopedics, women's health and canine/equine-assisted therapies. Valerie was raised locally in Gardiner NY; she started her career in Family Medicine, caring for both pediatric and adult patients, until joining the General Surgery team.

Why should someone choose you to care for their health?
I believe it is very important to not only get to know a patient and their family but also to form a strong bond with them. Every patient who walks through the door deserves the best possible medical care, and I strive to treat every patient as though they are family.

What is the most important thing your patients should expect from their professional relationship with you? What do you expect from them?
Patients should expect to feel comfortable and respected while in my care. Educating patients is one of the most important aspects of our jobs, and I hope that patients feel comfortable enough to ask any questions they may have in order to have all of their concerns addressed.

How do you spend your valuable personal time when you’re not caring for patients?
When I am not working I love to spend time with my friends and family. My husband and I have a dog named Bailey and a boat on the Hudson where we spend many of our summer weekends.

Why did you choose your specialty and what is its greatest reward?
I valued my time working in Primary Care as I believe it has shaped me into a well-rounded provider and allowed me to be able to explore many areas of interest such as mental health, orthopedics, and women's health; however, I chose to transition from Primary Care to General Surgery because it truly amazes me what science and modern medicine have achieved. It is not only a privilege, but also an honor to be able to help a patient at a time when they may need it the most. The idea of surgery can be scary for most people, but I hope to comfort my patients and be the support they need to improve their health.