Fun, warm & good-hearted people is what you will hear when you ask about the staff at Friedwald. Our staff consists of the best and warmest in their fields. Our priority is always the patient; making sure he/she is not just comfortable, but pampered in every way. From our Director of Nursing to our activities director to our gourmet chefs, our team approach really stands out. We go to great lengths to guarantee your comfort and satisfaction.
About Friedwald
Our mission is to attain and maintain the highest level of trust and confidence in both our staff and services, by residents, family members, regulatory agencies and the community.
Friedwald Center is committed to each resident’s to deliver the highest level of care through nursing, medicine, rehabilitation and all available means.
Our continual pursuit of innovative, improved services, selection of qualified personnel and the provision of progressive staff training to educate our staff with the knowledge and skills necessary to achieve excellence.
We know that responsibility and accountability are inseparable qualities of an efficient and effective organization.
To this end, conducting ongoing quality assurance monitoring, as a means to measure staff having met their responsibilities and of giving accountability to the public, is integral to our mission.
Working in partnership with residents and their families is our commitment. We respect and celebrate the value and importance of family, regardless of the duration of time that a resident is with us. Friedwald Center’s staff promotes and celebrates the spirit and value of family. We are honored to serve as family surrogates.
Meet Our StaffMeet Our Staff
Director of Purchasing may be his official title, but Nachman Bronstein has taken on so much more over the past fifteen years he has been with us at Friedwald Center. A veteran of the Long Term Care industry for the past thirty five years, Nachman’s enthusiasm and dedication to the Residents and their families has only grown with time. Nachman is available 24/7 to address the many and diverse needs of our facility, both large and small. Whether it’s DMEs, office equipment, or holiday gifts for all, Nachman’s got it covered. He is dedicated to ensuring that each and every Resident and staff member at Friedwald has what they need to succeed.
Nachman’s got it covered. He is dedicated to ensuring that each and every Resident and staff member at Friedwald has what they need to succeed.
Nachman’s got it covered. He is dedicated to ensuring that each and every Resident and staff member at Friedwald has what they need to succeed.
Excellent nutrition is vital in enabling our residents to sustain a good and lasting recovery. Michele Cohnen ensures that each resident receives a thorough assessment and food plan that is specifically designed to meet their dietary needs and preferences.
A graduate of Brooklyn College, Michele went on to get her Master’s degree in Nutrition from Lehman’s College. Michele’s ability to empathize and understand the unique needs of the Geriatric population ensure that in addition to meeting each individual’s nutritional needs, every resident feels cared for and understood.
A graduate of Brooklyn College, Michele went on to get her Master’s degree in Nutrition from Lehman’s College. Michele’s ability to empathize and understand the unique needs of the Geriatric population ensure that in addition to meeting each individual’s nutritional needs, every resident feels cared for and understood.
Joerlene Drames, ADON, attended the University of Santo Tomas in the Philippines. She graduated in 2005 and joined our Friedwald family as a floor nurse in 2009, promoted to a Nursing Supervisory position, nurse manager and then invited to join the management team as Assistant DON in early 2020. Joerlene personifies “Never let them see you sweat!” She carries a heavy load of responsibility with grace, capability, and an ever present smile. Joerlene is beloved by staff and residents alike, and of course by her wonderful husband, and her two beautiful children.
Miriam Freud's outstanding dedication shines forth with the excellent performance record she has achieved in all that she has undertaken over the last twenty five years at Friedwald Center. In 1995, Miriam co-founded our first outpatient medical daycare program, which she skillfully directed for ten years. Miriam then rose to the position of Director of Nursing, where her enthusiasm and commitment to excellence spilled over to the nursing staff, instilling the spirit and drive to deliver the high quality nursing care that has become synonymous with Friedwald Center. With a Master's Degree in Nursing, and an unwavering pursuit of the latest information and treatment options available in nursing, Miriam ensures that Residents are secure in the knowledge that they are receiving the highest standard of restorative care available. In her current role as Director of the Administrative branch of our highly acclaimed Nursing Department, Miriam continues to push the limits in providing value-based and effective treatments that are delivered with care and compassion to all of our Residents.
The outstanding success and sterling reputation of Friedwald’s state-of-the-art Rehabilitation Department is a reflection of the professionalism, expertise, and dedication of Susan Heller, PT, Director of Friedwald’s Rehabilitation department since its’ inception in 1975. In 2002, the Rockland County Legislature recognized Susan with the Pride of Rockland County Award for outstanding contributions in health care in the Rockland community. Susan expertly guides her carefully selected winning team of Physical and Occupational Therapists and speech Pathologists to enable our Residents to receive the finest in rehabilitative care. Her extensive knowledge of all spectrums of therapy has enabled Friedwald to maintain its’ excellent ratings and an outstanding reputation in the industry. Susan and her highly qualified team of professionals work tirelessly to support and assist our Residents every step of the way on their road to recovery.
Whether it’s maintaining the necessary compliance in environmental standards, or ensuring that the meticulous sanitary and housekeeping practices at Friedwald are in complete accordance with our strict infection prevention goals, Jimmy Isabelle manages his important responsibilities professionally, effectively, and with the pride of a job well done. His attitude is borne of a desire to help make a difference. His natural talent in space design and construction, together with the pride he takes in accomplishing his goals, earn him the respect and admiration of staff and Residents alike. Despite his busy schedule, his positive energy and team spirit are contagious. He combines an extensive background in the construction industry with years of experience running his own company. Jimmy is constantly seeking out ways to improve our structure to better meet the needs of our staff, and keep Friedwald a safer, cleaner, and more comfortable home to our Residents.
Pearl Lebovitch, MSW, who served as Director of Social Work Par Excellence from 1988-2013, is no less vital in her semi-retired position.
With her exceptional caring, compassion, and warmth, coupled with her professionalism and devotion to each and every resident’s needs, not a day (or hour) goes by that Pearl is not called upon for her expertise.
With her wisdom and keen perception, Pearl has the innate ability to make every Resident feel like Friedwald is their “Home Away From Home”.
With her BA in SW from Hunter’s College, and her Master’s in Linguistics and proficiency in seven languages, Pearl understands the needs of every Resident and “speaks their language”.
With her exceptional caring, compassion, and warmth, coupled with her professionalism and devotion to each and every resident’s needs, not a day (or hour) goes by that Pearl is not called upon for her expertise.
With her wisdom and keen perception, Pearl has the innate ability to make every Resident feel like Friedwald is their “Home Away From Home”.
With her BA in SW from Hunter’s College, and her Master’s in Linguistics and proficiency in seven languages, Pearl understands the needs of every Resident and “speaks their language”.
The beautifully renovated Center for Dialysis at Friedwald, ably Directed by Mary London, RN BSN, brings patient care and comfort to a whole new level.
Mary’s clinical experience and expertise, as well as her devotion to the ESRD patients in our care, allow us to provide lifesaving treatments in a therapeutic and comforting environment to our inpatient and outpatient Dialysis recipients. Whether it’s excellent education, vital family support, clinical expertise, or maintaining a Spa-like environment, Mary utilizes over twenty five years of Nephrology and nursing experience to provide quality care to ESRD patients with sensitivity and compassion. A graduate of St. Xavier University of Chicago, Mary’s forty year career includes both Medical Surgical Acute Care, and is rich in Nephrology experience. Mary and her outstanding team of clinicians, social worker, and dietician, provide each Dialysis patient with the attention and care that enable them to have tranquil and comforting treatments, and an improved quality of life experience.
Mary’s clinical experience and expertise, as well as her devotion to the ESRD patients in our care, allow us to provide lifesaving treatments in a therapeutic and comforting environment to our inpatient and outpatient Dialysis recipients. Whether it’s excellent education, vital family support, clinical expertise, or maintaining a Spa-like environment, Mary utilizes over twenty five years of Nephrology and nursing experience to provide quality care to ESRD patients with sensitivity and compassion. A graduate of St. Xavier University of Chicago, Mary’s forty year career includes both Medical Surgical Acute Care, and is rich in Nephrology experience. Mary and her outstanding team of clinicians, social worker, and dietician, provide each Dialysis patient with the attention and care that enable them to have tranquil and comforting treatments, and an improved quality of life experience.
Minal holds a master’s degree in Physical Therapy from the University of Bombay. She has practiced physical therapy in clinical, academic and administrative settings since 1986, and has been at Friedwald since 2005.
Minal is responsible for the smooth day-to-day operation of Friedwald’s busy rehab department. She works closely with therapists as well as other departments to maximize every patient’s rehab potential based on their clinical needs. She is a hands-on therapist and excels at addressing patients and families needs.
Minal is responsible for the smooth day-to-day operation of Friedwald’s busy rehab department. She works closely with therapists as well as other departments to maximize every patient’s rehab potential based on their clinical needs. She is a hands-on therapist and excels at addressing patients and families needs.
Ben Roth, Director of Food Services, credits his Grandmother for teaching him the rules of cooking and of living. It was as a young man at her side where he discovered the joy and satisfaction of nourishing others. He honed his skills in culinary school, perfecting the art and developing the talents that launched him on the path of his professional career. Ben has been in the food service industry in healthcare settings for the past twenty five years. The love for what he does together with his attention to every detail are the secret ingredients to every dish he serves. And like his Grandma, when he’s not dishing out mouthwatering food to the Residents at Friedwald, he’s doling out the love to his adorable grandchildren.
Gisela Vazquez is a proud born and bred Bronx native. She graduated from Lehman College with a Bachelor of Science in Therapeutic Recreation in 1999. She worked as a Recreational Therapist in a health care setting for two years before being promoted to Director of Therapeutic Recreation.
For the past eighteen years, Gisela has been working with the elderly population in the health care field. She joined Friedwald in 2013 as our Director of Recreation. Utilizing recreation and activity based interventions as a medium to address the needs of individuals with illness and disability has enabled Gisela to forge meaningful connections and enhanced the quality of life of our Residents at Friedwald. Gisela encourages individual creativity, and cultivates a sense of accomplishment in the beautiful projects that our Residents proudly display.
Whether baking, singing, crafting, or partying, Gisela keeps spirits soaring and the positive energy flowing through the halls of Friedwald Center.
For the past eighteen years, Gisela has been working with the elderly population in the health care field. She joined Friedwald in 2013 as our Director of Recreation. Utilizing recreation and activity based interventions as a medium to address the needs of individuals with illness and disability has enabled Gisela to forge meaningful connections and enhanced the quality of life of our Residents at Friedwald. Gisela encourages individual creativity, and cultivates a sense of accomplishment in the beautiful projects that our Residents proudly display.
Whether baking, singing, crafting, or partying, Gisela keeps spirits soaring and the positive energy flowing through the halls of Friedwald Center.
Caring and compassion combine with business savvy in our outstanding Director of Adult Day Health Care at Summit, Blimy Werner. Blimy has built a thriving and successful program for adults living in the community literally from the ground up.
The many satisfied participants all attest to the newfound quality of life, and broad range of medical and emotional support this program has provided for them. Blimy credits her mother, a longtime activist and volunteer for the elderly, for planting the seed and instilling in her young heart a passion for community service. Blimy combines her business expertise with her compassionate care, and the result is Summit Adult Day Healthcare, a place to call home for many of our vulnerable community members.
The many satisfied participants all attest to the newfound quality of life, and broad range of medical and emotional support this program has provided for them. Blimy credits her mother, a longtime activist and volunteer for the elderly, for planting the seed and instilling in her young heart a passion for community service. Blimy combines her business expertise with her compassionate care, and the result is Summit Adult Day Healthcare, a place to call home for many of our vulnerable community members.
The vent unit at Friedwald Center specializes in providing the most highly advanced care and maintenance treatments to our acute and chronic respiratory patients. David Zidile, who has spent the past seventeen years in the field of respiratory and critical care, has applied his advanced knowledge and expertise in the field, and created the highest standard of excellence in respiratory support to our most fragile Residents.
David’s decades of experience in level one trauma centers, and stellar reputation as a volunteer Paramedic for Hatzoloh EMS, has earned him the trust and admiration of our Residents and their family members. In his spare time, David volunteers as a Paramedic, flying critically ill patients all over the world. His expertise in critical care, together with his approachable and friendly manner, make him an integral member of the medical management team at Friedwald.
David ensures that no aspect of care is overlooked. He exudes compassion and care that’s “a breath of fresh air” to the Friedwald respiratory patients to whom he is so dedicated.
David’s decades of experience in level one trauma centers, and stellar reputation as a volunteer Paramedic for Hatzoloh EMS, has earned him the trust and admiration of our Residents and their family members. In his spare time, David volunteers as a Paramedic, flying critically ill patients all over the world. His expertise in critical care, together with his approachable and friendly manner, make him an integral member of the medical management team at Friedwald.
David ensures that no aspect of care is overlooked. He exudes compassion and care that’s “a breath of fresh air” to the Friedwald respiratory patients to whom he is so dedicated.
