Meet Our Team at The Birches at Harleysville

Justin’s passion for working with seniors stems from his own relationship with his great grandparents when he was younger. Throughout his career he has worked in the hospital-based setting, the skilled nursing setting, and the home care setting, but has dedicated the last decade and a half to working exclusively with seniors and memory care. With over twenty years of nursing experience in various roles, Justin is an experienced Administrator, Nurse, and has had extensive training related to Alzheimer’s and Dementia. Justin also enjoys volunteering to assist others and is an advocate for those who cannot advocate for themselves. Justin has lived in Montgomery County for most of his life and spends his downtime with his family and friends. He also enjoys gardening, music and traveling. Justin loves working in senior living because of the connections he makes with residents and families and looks forward to seeing you on your next visit to the community! 

jmason@thebirchesatharleysville.com

Ellen dedicated her nursing career to long-term care for the past thirty-five years beginning as a Candy-Striper at Mercy Suburban Hospital in Norristown at fourteen years of age. During this time, she realized long term care was her passion. Ellen has spent the last three decades mastering her expertise through additional certification including wound care certification, infection preventionist, and experience as an RNAC. Throughout Ellen’s nursing career and personal journey, she has continued to strive to provide the highest quality of care and service for all residents. Ellen was born and raised in Worcester Pennsylvania and is happily married with one son and currently resides in Salford, Pennsylvania. She is one of three daughters who have dedicated their career to the medical profession. Ellen enjoys gardening, the Jersey shore, and her two Labrador retrievers.

ebernier@thebirchesatharleysville.com

Nicole has been in the Marketing Department here at The Birches since September 2021, first as the Associate and was promoted in April 2023 to her role as Director. Nicole received her degree in Business and Marketing from Lansdale School of Business and has since worked in the field for the past 20 plus years. Over her career she has worked in various industries such as the glass and glazing industry where she was able to provide the safety glass they use in military vehicles, police vehicles and secured buildings. She also worked in the pharmaceutical industry for a company who calibrates medical/pharmaceutical equipment. Although Nicole is newer to the senior living industry she believes she finally found where she belongs. Nicole has a passion for seniors and truly enjoys the process of helping residents and their families find the perfect community at The Birches. A few of Nicole’s other passions are animals, playing softball, and spending quality time with her family. 

nmartinez@thebirchesatharleysville.com

Elizabeth "Libby" Andersen has been the Marketing Associate here at The Birches since April 2023. Prior to joining the Senior Living Industry, Libby worked in the automotive industry in several capacities, including marketing, sales, and recruiting. She began working with seniors a few years ago as a Silver Sneakers instructor, forming friendships with her participants, and she is delighted to have started a career in such a meaningful industry. Libby has a husband, three children, a dog and a cat. She enjoys cooking, wine, and is also passionate about music and sings with a cover band, performing music that spans generations. 

Michelle brings a unique skill set to The Birches team as our Memory Care Director. Michelle has twenty years’ experience in the health field starting out as a Certified Nursing Assistant. Michelle spent many of those years providing care in nursing homes, home health care, private duty, as well as working with the intellectually disabled community for eight years. Within these settings is where Michelle gained valuable training and knowledge with those with dementia. She completed a degree in Health and Fitness at Montgomery County Community College and obtained her training as a Certified Dementia Practitioner with the National Council of Certified Dementia Practitioners (NCCDP). Michelle enjoys her days overseeing our Daybreak neighborhood to ensure our residents and their families have a journey with dementia that is meaningful and compassionate. In Michelle’s spare time, she enjoys the beach, watching the Phillies and being with her family and beloved Shih Tzu, Coco!

mwalsky@thebirchesatharleysville.com

Susan began dedicating time to senior citizens from the age of 18, volunteering musical performances for residents with disabilities, senior centers, and nursing homes. She was guided into this by her mother, who was a classical pianist. After a life of musical studies, she became a professional entertainer, touring the Philadelphia and local areas, casinos and jazz clubs. After decades as a performer, she married, and did fundraising for special needs children, beginning the building of the all-abilities playground in Coatesville near CCDC. Susan has three children with her wonderful husband, Jack, and she currently resides in Downingtown, Pa. Jack and Sue have two dogs and one cat. Sue is nationally certified and has been working as an activity director for the past fifteen years, while also teaching classes about songwriting to other directors at conventions throughout Pennsylvania. She loves to create programs that are harmonious with the communities, and find all their hidden talents, living every moment to the fullest, and can’t wait to meet new friends!

sfounds@thebirchesatharleysville.com

Norma began her long standing career in the food services industry working in senior care facility, starting out learning the importance of food safety and service. Norma later went on to work in the catering business preparing foods for special events and clients prior to working for a major hospital in Philadelphia as a patient service manager. During this time, Norma managed the staff and daily operations of the food establishment. Norma has a love for cooking fresh, wholesome foods that nurture the mind and soul. As Dining Services Director at The Birches, Norma has once again found her niche in managing the daily operations of the Food Industry staff and providing nutrition services for seniors. She is responsible for the staff, inventory, service schedule, and routine operations of the kitchen. Norma has returned to her first love; providing seniors with wholesome foods that nurture the body and soul.

nfavors@thebirchesatharleysville.com

Bryan is responsible for the building, facilities within the building, and the grounds of The Birches. He is also responsible for the housekeeping team. Bryan has 27 years of experience in the Telecommunications industry. Since 2006, Bryan has been responsible for many telecom Central Offices and Data Centers from Washington D.C. to Maine. He has working knowledge of critical power, mechanical, and life safety systems. He has disaster preparation and recovery experience. He and his team kept a crucial Central Office running for seven weeks without commercial power in lower Manhattan after Hurricane Sandy. Bryan is a certified fire safety trainer as well. Bryan has been a manager of people and process since 1998.

bjacobson@thebirchesatharleysville.com

Robin has a diverse financial background that makes her a strong asset to our community. Robin’s primary responsibilities include payroll, billing, and accounts payable. She started her career in healthcare as a file clerk at Valley Hospital in Ridgewood NJ. A position for a medical biller opened and she applied. From there she discovered an interest for medical billing and coding. Robin did billing and coding for physical therapists as well as a gastroenterology group. Always having a niche for numbers and wanting more, she left healthcare and worked her way around and up the banking industry as a personal banker, credit and collections supervisor and went to business school to become a mortgage loan officer. She continued in mortgage refinancing until she discovered an opportunity to bring all her skills together. Robin decided to apply as a Business Office Manager at an assisted living facility where she felt right at home. She was able to bring forth her financial knowledge, supervisory skills, as well as her medical billing background to one place. In addition, she realized that working in senior care she could also present her love for helping others on a whole new level and still enjoy the financial world at the same time. She feels that not everyone can be both a numbers person and a people person and that is what makes her special.

rgordon@thebirchesatharleysville.com

Bio coming soon...