Bridgewater’s Life Plan Community.

As Executive Director, Brian oversees the daily operations of Laurel Circle to ensure the community operates efficiently and stays financially sound. He focuses on ensuring residents are satisfied and fulfilled while team members are engaged in the community’s pursuit of excellence. Surrounding himself with outstanding experts in their specific fields, Brian has helped create a cohesive, caring, yet results-driven management team.

Brian joined Laurel Circle with over 20 years of experience in the continuing care retirement community/life plan industry. Brian obtained his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Boston University, and is licensed in the State of New Jersey as a physical therapist and a nursing home administrator. He began his clinical career in Baltimore with a John Hopkin’s rehabilitation hospital. He then joined the life plan industry and worked through clinical and administrative positions, becoming Senior Director of Continuing Care for one of the nation’s largest senior living companies. Brian now follows his passion of working with seniors in a setting that allows them to thrive in an environment of health and wellness, while also supporting those with medical needs.

Brian’s philosophy is to support a community where residents are engaged and have an active voice in all dimensions of community life. Brian champions the LCS principles, “We deal honestly and fairly with integrity and openness;” and “We serve the residents first and foremost.”

As the Healthcare Administrator, Alok oversees the daily operations of the Arbor Health Center, Assisted Living, and Memory Care. Their role is to ensure the highest quality of care for residents who reside in the Arbor, whether temporarily or permanently. It is a multi-faceted role that promotes effective intradepartmental and community-wide systems of healthcare delivery while leading a productive and efficient workforce.

Rachel Block serves as the Director of Community Life at Laurel Circle, where she leads the creation behind a vibrant and fulfilling lifestyle for residents. Her strategic approach to event planning and program development ensures a consistently engaging and enriching community experience. Rachel’s expertise in creating dynamic community experiences stems from a deep understanding of resident needs and a passion for enhancing their quality of life, consistently keeping residents actively engaged and connected.

Rachel earned her undergraduate degree from Penn State University and a master’s degree in healthcare administration from Kean University, giving her a strong foundation in the principles of effective community management and healthcare leadership.

As Director of Residential Health Services, Patricia oversees independent living health services, initiatives, and policies and also serves as the Health and Wellness Navigator. As the Navigator, she is a liaison between residents, staff and internal and external parties. Patricia also meets with independent living residents, evaluates needs, and works on strategies and solutions to help residents maximize their independence and quality of life.

Patricia holds a masters degree and bachelor’s degree in social work with a geriatric certification. Patricia is also a Certified Dementia Practitioner. Patricia previously worked with Area Agency on Aging and Health Networks. Patricia’s areas of specialization and interest include comprehensive geriatric assessments with individualized care plans and family conferences, dementia education, caregiver education, along with individual and caregiver counseling and facilitation of Alzheimer’s support groups.

As Accounting Director, Renz oversees the accounting team in the day-to-day operations of payroll, billing, and accounts payable. He also prepares the monthly financials, works with the management on developing annual budgets, projects future operating performance and coordinates financial audits.

Renz’s journey in accounting at Laurel Circle began as a staff accountant in 2013. Through the years of gaining an immense amount of knowledge and experience, he worked his way up to Assistant Controller and now Accounting Director. Renz’s connection in the senior living environment began at 18 years old when he worked in dining services while pursuing his bachelor’s degree in mathematics. The wonderful memories and experiences he gained gave him the ambition to continue to pursue a career in the senior living industry.

Outside of work, Renz has a passion for photography, travelling, and experiencing all of the different cultures the world has to offer.

As Facilities Director, Javon Edwards is responsible for the implementation of all facility plant operations management, residents and guest’s security, as well as project management.

Javon is a tenacious leader with 18 years of plant management and leadership experience. Javon began his career as an apprentice in residential maintenance and learned quickly his passion was in the service industry.  Before joining Laurel Circle, Javon also served as an Emergency Preparedness Coordinator where he pioneered the outline for NJ Pandemic Response testing protocols for the North Jersey Healthcare Coalition. He later joined the senior living industry and found great reward in the service he provides. Javon takes great pride in building and mentoring his team so they may all succeed throughout their careers.

In his free time, Javon enjoys playing billiards, traveling, and spending time outdoors with his family.

As the Director of Human Resources, Doreen is responsible for developing and executing strategies for attracting and retaining a high-performing and engaged workforce. She is responsible for recruitment and retention, performance management, benefits administration, leadership development and training.

Doreen holds a bachelor’s degree in Human Resources Management. Before joining Laurel Circle, Doreen has held HR leadership roles in many industries including health care, information technology and manufacturing. She is passionate about driving a culture of engagement and creating an environment which allows team members to do their best work supporting the Laurel Circle residents. Doreen also actively serves on the Board of Directors of the Employers Association of New Jersey.

Pearl Jella is a dedicated and accomplished Director of Nursing with over 12 years of experience in senior care. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and is a licensed Registered Nurse (RN). Throughout her career, Pearl has demonstrated a profound commitment to enhancing the quality of life for elderly patients, leading multidisciplinary teams to provide compassionate and effective care.

Pearl began her nursing career in behavioral health settings before transitioning to senior care, where she discovered her passion for supporting the elderly population. Over the years, she has held various leadership roles, honing her skills in clinical management, staff development, and regulatory compliance. Her expertise includes developing and implementing best practices in patient care, staff training programs, and quality improvement initiatives.

Known for her strong communication skills and empathetic approach, Pearl fosters a culture of collaboration among nursing staff, physicians, and family members. She is dedicated to mentoring new nurses and promoting continuing education within her team to ensure the highest standards of care.

In her current role as Director of Nursing, Pearl oversees all nursing operations within the community, ensuring that residents receive personalized care tailored to their unique needs. She is passionate about advocating for the elderly and is actively involved in community outreach programs aimed at promoting awareness and support for senior health issues.

Outside of her professional responsibilities, Pearl enjoys cooking and listening to music. She believes in the importance of holistic care and strives to create an environment where seniors can thrive with dignity and respect.

As the Food & Beverage Director, Patrick is charged with creating an exceptional dining experience for all residents of Laurel Circle. With over ten years of Food & Beverage Management experience, Patrick brings his proven track record of success, leadership and passion to provide next level service and comfort to all guests in his care at the community. Patrick partners closely with the Executive Chef & culinary team to develop menus with fresh and enticing options. Patrick believes in an open line of communication with staff and residents to ensure a true sense of community is felt by all.

Patrick studied business management at Rutgers University but has always had a passion for customer service. He started working in senior living in 2016 and found what he describes as his true calling.

Outside of work, Patrick enjoys the beach, hiking and spending time with his fiancé.