The NJ Vet's Home, one of Paramus' best kept secrets

Sunday, April 16 2006, 01:13 AM EDT

Contributed by: Mel Fabrikant

NJ Vet's Home
Doris Neibart and Barbara Marella met me in the lobby of the NJ Veterans Memorial Home at Paramus to discuss Public Relations for the Social Security Administration display scheduled an hour away. It seems that no PR goes out without State of NJ Dept. of Military and Veterans Affairs. They quickly contacted headquarters to get approval.

In the meantime, they were so affable that I felt a Paramus Profile was in order. Not only that, but Doris will probably speak at a Paramus Rotary meeting in the near future. Her list of talents and responsibilities are impressive.

Mrs. Neibart started out getting her Registered Nurse diploma in 1961 and developed an interest in Service to Mankind, her motto. She went on in the education field to get her Master’s degree at NYU and served as Assistant Executive Director at Winchester Gardens where she also got her license. The initials on her card read: LNHA, MPA, R.N and CEO of this veterans home where she has been for over 10 years. Drop in and ask Doris what they mean.

While you are there, you might want to see Susan Pettigrano, Director of Volunteer Services because Susan is always looking for volunteers. The home has many activities for the vets and are in constant need of assistance in seeing that the residents enjoy themselves.

Since no large organization is managed by one person, Doris has Meredith Spano as her Asst. CEO and Barbara as Acting Assistant CEO. In turn, they are helped by Marge Armenta, Dir. Social Services, Giulia Kirsch, Supervisor of Activities and her assistant Sini Joseph. In addition, there are 4 RN’s and a staff of over 400 people tending to the vets, most of whom are in wheelchairs.

Doris has been married for 44 years, has 3 sons, Mark, in Ridgewood, Michael and David in Brooklyn, NY. Married, they have given her 4 grandchildren, the latest just recently. Grandma’s pride and joy!

Doris has been elected to the presidency of the National Association of State Veterans Homes. This requires her to go to Washington, DC to lobby for the interests of these 119 homes across the country. Their motto is ‘Caring for America’s Heroes.

This certainly exemplifies Doris Neibart’s desire to help people, especially the frail and the weak. Paramus is fortunate to have a dedicated person like her even though the home is secluded on beautiful grounds across from Bergen Regional Medical Center.

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