About the Staff at New Jersey Plastic Surgery
New Jersey Plastic Surgery provides a unique patient experience centered around world-class cosmetic surgery and customer service. Our friendly and devoted staff will be pleased to answer your questions and guide you through the process. Rely on our experience for the best possible patient experience.
Shirlee Rumore, CMA
Practice Manager
Shirlee has been with our practice for 19 years, serving over the years as receptionist, medical assistant, and OR director. Eight years ago, she became Practice Manager and her work has many facets. “I like working with our patients, telling them about the different services and procedures we offer, and answering their questions.” Behind the scenes, Shirley also oversees staff-related matters and interfaces with the doctors on staff, as well as the many doctors who come to visit the practice. She does outreach with other physicians in the community, handles marketing, and runs seminars that educate the community about the many services offered by Dr. DiBernardo and New Jersey Plastic Surgery. She also gives presentations at the salon affiliated with the practice, answers emails that come in from those interested in learning more about elective procedures, and participates in pre-op and post-op consultations. “Working for Dr. DiBernardo is a pleasure. He’s down to earth and he really listens to his patients. He wants them to portray the best surgical outcomes, and wants them to have the most natural and appealing results. After 19 years, I still enjoy coming to work every day. Not many people can say that.”
Brenda Loucas
Patient Representative
Brenda Loucas has been with New Jersey Plastic Surgery since 1995 and has served as our Patient Coordinator since 1997. She sees patients in consultation, helps them with their financing options, and handles the scheduling of their procedures. She also assists with seminars, answers consultation calls, and follows up with patients by letter and by phone. “I enjoy interacting with our prospective patients and helping them take the next step toward their goal. We are a caring team of individuals that really wants to please our patients and be helpful to them in every way we can.”
Wanda Rubbet
Outreach Coordinator
Wanda is our outreach coordinator at New Jersey Plastic Surgery. She plays a very active role in the community, conducting seminars and providing educational materials at local sport clubs and salons in the area. You may have seen her around the city doing seminars on our many services. Recently, she’s been educating people about CoolSculpting by ZELTIQ, our new non-invasive fat reduction procedure.
A New Jersey native, Wanda began working in advertising and marketing five years ago. Although she never expected to become involved in the specialty of plastic surgery, she says she is thrilled to witness the positive transformations that occur for patients. As an outreach coordinator, she is often the first point of contact for patients. “It’s very rewarding to meet new people, and then see how good they feel about themselves after they’ve seen the doctor and undergone a procedure,” she explains. “Sometimes they decide to continue with more procedures after that,” she adds.
Another rewarding part of her job, she says, is being continually surprised by the new technology that is now used in today’s cosmetic treatments. “I’ve learned a lot about procedures,” she says, “and it’s amazing what we can now do with procedures like laser hair removal, tattoo removal, body contouring, and skin rejuvenation.”
When she is not engaged in her duties as outreach coordinator, Wanda supports other departments, such as patient accounts, front office, administration and more.
Debbie Mazalewski
Patient Representative
Debbie is our patient representative. When you visit New Jersey Plastic Surgery, she may assist you with scheduling, billing, insurance claims (submission and follow up), and review of fees for surgical procedures. If you are undergoing a procedure like breast reduction, nasal surgery, or hand surgery, the cost can sometimes be reimbursed through your health insurance. That’s where Debbie can assist you. She can also explain our various financing options for elective procedures.
About 20 years ago, Debbie worked with Dr. DiBernardo in a smaller plastic surgery practice. She took some years off to raise children and then returned to the workforce, taking a position here at NJPS. With her previous experience, she has a unique perspective on the profession. She’s witnessed the changes that have occurred in the plastic surgery field: the move toward electronic billing and patient records, the introduction of laser technology, and the expansion of new non-invasive cosmetic procedures. “I like being a patient rep” she says, “because plastic surgery is interesting and it allows us to help people feel better about themselves.” Recently, Debbie has been working closely with Dr. Maria Del Vecchio, our age management specialist.
Jessica Whritenour
Receptionist
Jessica, our receptionist, can help you schedule and confirm your appointment. She also plays an important role in the patient intake process: gathering details about each patient, preparing charts, and supporting our medical staff with accurate information about each patient that comes through the door. Jessica does an excellent job with these tasks, as well as organizing and upkeep of our front office.
“I enjoy working here because my co-workers are really nice, and the job is interesting,” she says, “it really opens your horizons.” Currently studying physical education at the university, Jessica is preparing for a career as a teacher.
Born and raised here in New Jersey, Jessica says she likes the way our practice creates a family-like atmosphere, representing the best of the local culture. We have families, and different generations, that all come here,” she says.
Jennifer Maute LPN, BLS/CPR, ASPSN, OSHA
OR Director
Jennifer is our OR director who also manages the medical staff. She brings 12 years of medical experience to our practice and is currently continuing her education to obtain her BSN. She coordinates all surgical bookings and provides care to our pre-op and post-op patients. Jennifer maintains Dr. DiBernardo’s on call and weekly schedules and assists in various tasks throughout the day including office hours. She is also a sub-investigator in our study department. What makes NJPS so special to her is the privilege to work with an excellent physician who is devoted to taking the best care of his patients and staff alike. “We have an excellent team here at NJPS who share in one common goal, which is to take the best care of our patients.”
Toula Leitao, RN, BSN
Toula has been a Registered Nurse in NewYork and New Jersey for 17 years and recieved her BSN from Long Island University. She provides excellent nursing care to our surgical patients and is dedicated to all aspects of her patients needs. Toula is a key memeber to our team in making our patients feel at ease throughout their journey here at NJPS.
Lissy
Patients Accounts
Lissy is here to make sure that all of your financial and medical forms are processed as quickly and conveniently as possible. She knows what a comfort it is to feel confident that your paperwork is done properly and is here to answer any questions you may have about the payment and insurance aspects of your care. Lissy has been with New Jersey Plastic Surgery since 2007, where she is busy entering all medical coding, collecting payments, overseeing all insurance-related claims, and serving as a Notary Public.
Frances Alvarez
Registered Medical Assistant
Frances brings 7 years of medical assisting experience to our practice. She helps assist with Dr. Di Bernardo and Dr. Del Vecchio office hours. She also helps assist with any laser procedures that are being performed. Frances works alongside Dr. DelVecchio with patients who are participating in our age and weight management nutrition programs.
Eileen Garcia, LPN, BLS
OR Staff
Eileen brings 11 years of medical experience to our practice. She assists the doctors during medical procedures, preps rooms, handles Dr. DelVecchio’s schedule, and does lab work and body composition analyses. She also provides pre-op and post-op care for our surgical patients, co-coordinates surgical charts, and assists Dr. DiBernardo in the operating room. Eileen is also fluent in Spanish.
“I appreciate the variety of activities I participate in on behalf of our patients and the fact that, for all of us, patients always come first. The most important aspect of my job is serving our patients professionally…and with a big smile. Our number one priority is to enhance the quality of their lives through all the wonderful services New Jersey Plastic Surgery has to offer.”
Maryam Hajo
Receptionist, Administrator & Medical Assistant
Maryam serves our practice as Receptionist, Administrator, and Medical Assistant. She answers phones, greets patients, prepares patient charts, and handles a myriad of other tasks that help make the center run smoothly on a daily basis. Her entire career has been spent in the medical field – doing office work in the front of the office – and handling management responsibilities and other duties behind the scenes. Maryam has been with our practice for two years and says that treating patients well is the most important aspect of her job. She wants people to know that this is a friendly office.
Salome Borges
Medical Assistant
Sally is a Surgical Tech and also handles supply ordering and scheduling for our practice. She’s been with New Jersey Plastic Surgery for five years, following 2-1/2 years working in an Internal Medicine practice and a 1-year stint in an emergency room setting. Sally prides herself on helping patients feel good and comfortable and she enjoys being in the O.R. She points out that the center has the best technologies available for the benefit of patients, and feels good about the fact that the entire staff works hard to ensure that all of our patients’ needs are met. “Each patient is different and is given the care that best responds to their specific needs. We try our hardest to be professional, humble, and understanding.”
Irene
Medical Assistant
Irene has worked with Dr. DiBernardo for over 15 years and is a key member of the New Jersey Plastic Surgery team. Fluent in Russian, Irene assists with in-office medical procedures, pre and post operative care, and prepares patients for laser procedures.
