Monica Castano, RN, BSN, has been named Vice President and Administrator for Holy Redeemer Health System’s Elizabeth, NJ-based Holy Redeemer Home Care North division.

Ms. Castano brings to her new position a keen awareness of the importance of hard work, responsibility and family. Born in Colombia, Ms. Castano came to the U.S. with her parents at the age of 12. She quickly adapted to her new environment while at the same time helping her parents, both of whom happened to be deaf, by serving as a communications intermediary with the many people in their new community.

“My grandfather was one of my biggest inspirations, and he played a big part in my upbringing,” she said. “He was also a very hard worker who taught me the importance of being authentic, generous and kind to others.”

She said her father is much the same way – someone who always loved to work, and who, even after he wanted to retire, was asked by his company to stay on – so he ended up staying even while he took on another job.

Those role models of hard-working family-oriented men who overcame their adversities helped shape her character, and even today provide an ongoing learning experience, she said. It’s those same traits that she tries to emulate in her efforts to provide vital healthcare and support services to a three-county (Union, Middlesex, Somerset) service area that includes a culturally diverse population, many of whom are also economically disadvantaged.

“There are so many things to learn, and so much work that needs to be done,” Ms. Castano said. “We are dealing with a very complex population that really needs us.”

She said Holy Redeemer has a “phenomenal multidisciplinary team” of nurses, therapists, medical social workers, home health aides, registered dieticians and other healthcare professionals, each of whom brings their own special skills to help their patients.

“We bring together all the talents and gifts that we can as providers to help the people in the community,” Ms. Castano said.

In addition, she says her team works closely with the local community hospitals that serve as a safety net to help prevent readmissions and provide the appropriate community resources to this underserved population.

“We collaborate with our partners – hospitals, subacute rehabilitation facilities, nursing homes, physician practices – so we can make sure the families we serve have the tools and resources they need,” she said. “Everyone member of our team is committed to the Holy Redeemer mission. And as difficult as the challenges can be, we’re inspired when we make a difference.”

Ms. Castano joined Holy Redeemer in 2008 as a nursing supervisor and later was named Director of Nursing, a role she continues to fill. Prior to Holy Redeemer, she served as clinical director and case manager at several other nursing and home care agencies in the North Jersey marketplace.

Ms. Castano is enrolled in Thomas Edison State University’s MSN in Administration program and due to graduate in December of this year. She also earned her BSN at Thomas Edison State University and an Associate Degree in Nursing at the University of State of New York (Regents).

She is fluent in Spanish, Portuguese, English and ASL (American Sign Language).

About Holy Redeemer Health System

With an emphasis on providing a continuum of care, Holy Redeemer Health System remains true to the mission to care, comfort and heal that its sponsors, the Sisters of the Holy Redeemer, began in our region in 1924 – to provide high quality, compassionate care. Today, Holy Redeemer offers a wide range of healthcare and health-related services, including an acute care hospital, home health and hospice services, two skilled nursing facilities, personal care, a retirement community, low-income housing, an active living community, and a transitional housing program for homeless women and children. With corporate offices in Huntingdon Valley, PA, Holy Redeemer Health System is a Catholic healthcare provider, serving southeastern Pennsylvania and 12 counties in New Jersey, from Union County south to Cape May County.

Holy Redeemer HomeCare and Hospice

Holy Redeemer HomeCare and Hospice, the largest nonprofit provider of home health and hospice services in the state of New Jersey, offers a continuum of services throughout 12 New Jersey counties, including Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Gloucester, Mercer, Middlesex, Ocean, Salem, Somerset, and Union. Holy Redeemer HomeCare and Hospice provides care to patients and their families in Philadelphia, Bucks and Montgomery counties in Pennsylvania. It is part of Holy Redeemer Health System, which offers a wide range of healthcare and health-related services, including an acute care hospital, home health and hospice services, two skilled nursing facilities, supportive care, a retirement community, low-income housing, an active living community, and a transitional housing program for homeless women and children. For more information, visit holyredeemer.com/HomeCare.