Our Staff at BrightStar Care® Greater Hackensack

Patricia Preztunik opened her BrightStar business in 2009, following a long business career as a consultant specializing in how technology can improve organizations and client services. Patricia also spent many years in
community activities, working with high school students across NJ in group dynamics, public speaking and communication skills. Together, those firmed Patricia’s interest in client service done well, with listening to clients at the core. 

Patricia continues to make client service the core of her health care service firm. With nurses, aides and therapists, they together customize each client service. Proudly, the business achieved accreditation from The Joint Commission in early 2011 and maintains that status for both personal and skilled care. Accreditation, at its simplest, is an outside, qualified team of evaluators reviewing all aspects of the business, in client care, hiring, and management. Patricia often asks, why wouldn’t you be accredited?

Jennifer has served as the Director of the Nursing for Brightstar Care since November 2018 and expanded responsibilities to broader clinical operations and business development  in 2023. Jennifer hails from the acute care arena with a good eye for assessing, managing and coaching medical situations. Jennifer is committed to improving client outcomes and empowering her team to deliver the highest quality of care.

Gitty has worked with Brightstar Care since 2019, initially hired as an Assistant DON working with Jen and driving our clinical compliance. Gitty assumed the role of DON in January 2023.

Also, hailing from the acute care arena, Gitty is always ready for triaging needs and our day-to-day client care situations.

Gitty also leads our case management team. She is known well by the doctors with whom we collaborate in client care. From urgent /acute care issues to ongoing advice and comfort, Gitty supports both the skilled and personal care staff with boundless energy. She is a very “hands-on” nurse and client care manager, you can find Gitty out in the field with clients and staff on most days.

Joined our team in September 2022 to improve our Client/Community outreach and business delivery. To Jenn, service and excellence together provide a best chance for success! Jenn is all about building connections and fostering relations in the home healthcare industry as managing both our Community and Client relations teams. Jenn is not only focused on new clients, but maintains a watchful eye and personal involvement in ensuring we provide the care and caring relationships to which we are committed. She strives in creating a welcoming and supportive environment for our clients and their families.

Shola Stewart joined BrightStar Care in 2016 as a Field Employee. One year later, she was offered a position to join the Office Team. From there, she was able to be an asset to both Clients and Caregivers in a way that has given her an unexpected experience: committed to exceeding client expectations and going above and beyond to ensure every client receives exceptional care and support.

Kimone Masters joined Brightstar Care in March of 2023. Kimone is apart of the client services team, where she leads our work in childcare. Her responsibilities span finding appropriate caregivers through to scheduling and
follow up. Kimone is also a Certified Home Health Aide (CHHA), and is part of our emergency-coverage field team. She has worked in healthcare overall since 2019, where she started out has a Direct Support Professional working with the disabled population.

Yazhé has been a part of Brightstar Care team in Emerson (a.k.a Greater Hackensack) since February 2019. Yazhé started out as a field employee, and maintains her CHHA so she can provide care to clients and assist other field staff in personal care situations (fill-ins, emergencies).

When asked if she would be interested in adding administrative responsibilities to her job, we were fortunate to have Yazhé accept that opportunity and develop an Employee Services role, aiding all new hires and existing employees. Yazhé also leads all technology projects for training, social media, peer-to-peer communication and reporting. Her field and office roles blend well in keeping the office grounded in supporting field staff and clients in the realities of day to day care.

Daryl Bautista is our Recruiting Services lead and started with Brightstar Care March of 2020. Daryl is always on the lookout for talented individuals who can contribute to our mission of providing excellent and compassionate care to our clients. Our employees need to have a passion for helping others and Daryl is their first point of contact. He has primary responsibility for finding, screening, engaging and supporting qualified applicants. Daryl shepherds them through onboarding. He’s enthusiastic about contributing his customer service expertise, ensuring that both employees and clients have the best experience possible in working with BrightStar Care Greater Hackensack.