Our Management Team

Nina Nasser and Ralph Lohr
Owners and managers of The Country Home, have a combined total of over 60 years experience in the health care field, much of it in hospital settings. They have operated the Country Home together since 1995. They proudly practice a "hands on" daily presence that ensures the level of quality they demand of all staff, all operations. Since they live in a separate residence less than 50 yards from The Country Home, they are available 24/7 as needed in emergencies. Ralph handles all aspects of facility management. He personally supervised all renovations of the Country Home and the addition of the deck and patios. He has prepared, with the architect, the plans for the new elevator. He has personally transformed the property into the lush, park-like setting with vegetable and flower gardens and wide walking paths. Nina, as administrator, focuses on the supervision of all staff, day to day operations and management of the business and liaison to all outside service providers and local, county and state agencies. Both Nina and Ralph maintain close contact with family members and residents. They both participate in the admission process, to gain familiarity with and welcome new residents and family members. Both hold CMA certification and can administer medications, if needed, to supplement regular staff. This ensures they remain in personal contact with residents and aware of their changing needs.

Soledad Fulgar Manager of Resident Care Soledad Fulgar
Manager of Resident Care, is also a CMA who has additional medical and geriatric training. Sol manages the medication program under supervision of the RN and supervises other CMA and CNA staff. Sol lives in The Country Home and is available 24/7 in emergencies, as a back-up. Sol has worked with Nina and Ralph in The Country Home since it was founded, in 1995. Her particular strength is knowing each resident so well that with observation and basic assessment, she can usually detect any health changes and notify our RN, other health professionals and family immediately.

Edgar Fulgar Manager of Dietary Services Edgar Fulgar
Manager of Dietary Services, has an extensive background in the culinary field. He has full responsibility for all aspects of food purchasing, inventory, food preparation/serving, and compliance with dietary requirements provided by the RN and physicians, as well as State and local health/sanitation regulations. Edgar does not just stay in the kitchen but interacts with residents in the dining room so he is personally aware of food intake, food preferences, special requests, etc. Like his wife, Edgar resides in The Country Home and is available 24/7 in emergencies, as a back-up.

Marisa Ruschak RN Marisa Ruschak
RN, has almost 15 years of nursing experience, mostly in a rehabilitation company serving the elderly and others who had strokes, brain injuries, hip or knee replacements, etc. She also has experience in a large regional medical center, a dialysis center and a home health/private duty company. Marisa manages all aspects of health care at The Country Home, from pre-admission assessment to dietary and medication management to primary liaison to family and health professionals. Marisa focuses on prevention of illnesses and accidents. She developed a special protocol last year to prevent any new residents from bringing MRSA or other infections into the Home. Marisa assists with staff training as well. She is on site at least three days a week—providing more than double the hours of RN time required by the state regulations—and is on call 24/7. Marisa is licensed to practice nursing in both New Jersey and Florida. She is an active member of NJSNA and ANA. Marisa is currently completing her work for a BSN degree.

Tom Martin Marketing Manager Tom Martin
MSW, Manager of Marketing, has more than two decades of sales and marketing experience in the corporate high technology arena and over a decade of service in senior housing/medical day programs/senior centers. Tom has held management positions in four assisted living communities, two adult medical day programs, one very large senior center, and a university-based social work continuing education center serving 10 counties in upstate New York. He has served on the faculty of SUNY-Brockport and Atlantic Cape Community College. He has done research at a gerontology institute and published articles on a variety of topics related to aging and services to the elderly. He has served as a consultant to medical day programs, a geriatric care management company, a residential home for Alzheimer's patients and a leading "Grantsmanship" company. In addition to the MSW, with focus on gerontology, Tom has a Certificate in Gerontology, also from Rutgers University. He has held a CALA license in the past, when working in the assisted living field. patient dementia care