Ocean County –Caregiver Volunteers of Central Jersey (CVCJ) recently welcomed two new community members to their Board of Directors. The new members are Dr. Joel Ross, President and Founder of the Memory Enhancement Center of America, Inc. with offices in Toms River and Eatontown and Patricia Scimeca, CVCJ Volunteer and owner of Patties Pretties Unique Jewelry, Jackson

Dr. Ross, M.D., F.A.C.P., A.G.F.S., C.M.D., is a resident of Wall Township, and a recognized leader in providing care for the patient with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and other illnesses associated with memory loss. The Memory Enhancement Center conducts research on the effectiveness of investigational medications that may alleviate the symptoms of AD and slows its progression.  In December, Dr. Ross was named CVCJ’s 2011 Alzheimer’s Respite Care Program Humanitarian of the Year.  He has been a guest lecturer at volunteer meetings providing education about strategies to help caregivers cope and treatments on the horizon.

A resident of Jackson Township, Patricia Scimeca has been an active CVCJ volunteer since2005.  Scimeca was CVCJ’s key volunteer to develop a Wisdom Work Team to implement a grant from the National Council on Aging identifying and utilizing volunteers in non-traditional ways to strengthen the organizations recruitment strategy.  In addition to providing medical transportation and bi-weekly shopping for CVCJ clients, Scimeca has been active on CVCJ’s Development Committee in particular the BAC (Business Advisory Committee) fostering partnerships with the business community, and the Annual Fashion Show, a major fund-raising event held each June.  Pat Scimeca is the owner of Patties Pretties Unique Jewelry of Jackson designing and selling her own creations.  She has personally conducted numerous fund raising events for CVCJ, donating all profits from jewelry sales to CVCJ.