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With over 30 years of service in long term care, Brenda became St. Vincent’s Administrator in 2026. Her vast experience stretched from the east coast to Alaska and points in between, and after serving in interim leadership roles the past 5 years, Brenda was looking for a place to call home. She chose Berlin because of the small community and the close-knit vibe of St Vincent de Paul.

“It’s like stepping back in time, to how nursing homes used to be, and should be – families caring for each other,” she says. “The mission of Catholic Charities NH resonates and is evident in policies and the way we care for our residents. Many larger companies have left these values behind.”

Dr. Javier Cardenas serves as our Medical Director. With nearly two decades of healthcare leadership experience, Dr. Cardenas is passionate about improving outcomes for our residents, providing clinical oversight and guiding our interdisciplinary care teams. His 2026 designation as a Certified Physician Executive (CPE) from the American Association for Physician Leadership reflects his career-long commitment to continuous learning, physician leadership, quality improvement, and patient-centered care.

Laura has served as St Vincent’s Director of Social Services since 2012 and is known for her compassionate advocacy and commitment to each resident’s well-being. She takes pride in getting to know each resident as an individual, helping them navigate challenges while ensuring they feel valued, respected, and supported. Laura works closely with residents, families and the interdisciplinary care team to make each person’s St. Vincent experience as comfortable and meaningful as possible.

Laura’s passion for senior care is reflected in one of her favorite films, The Notebook. The scene in which Noah patiently reads Allie’s story, hoping for moments of recognition, reminds her of the compassion, patience and unconditional love that are at the heart of caring for older adults.

“The residents are truly at the center of what we do. Long-term care can be challenging but the relationships we build with residents and families make the work meaningful. St. Vincent has many dedicated employees who genuinely love and care about the people who live here.”

Kim has been part of the St. Vincent community almost her entire life. Her connection began when she was just three months old, accompanying her mother – a nurse at St. Vincent for 35 years – to work. Those early experiences inspired a lifelong passion for caring for older adults. After volunteering with residents throughout her youth and completing her social work externship at St. Vincent, Kim earned her Licensed Nursing Assistant (LNA) license in 1997 and officially joined the team.

Since then, she has served as an LNA and Social Worker, before becoming our Memory Care Director in 2016. Drawing on her vast experience, Kim is dedicated to creating meaningful moments and a comforting, person-centered environment for individuals living with memory loss. She works closely with residents, families, and staff to ensure every person is treated with dignity, compassion, and respect.

“St. Vincent has always felt like home to me. Caring for older adults isn’t just my career – it’s a lifelong calling. What makes this place so special is the people. We support one another, celebrate successes together, and always keep our residents at the center of everything we do.”

Katie joined our team as Director of Life Enrichment in 2024, having worked 15 years in long term care. She’s driven by a desire to make a difference in the lives of our residents, providing daily opportunities for engagement in activities and events.

Katie also loves to involve our residents in the planning of special events – such as fishing at the lake, a runway fashion show, or other weeklong themed activities – to make it a truly shared experience.

“I find fulfillment in helping others, offering companionship, and creating moments of joy. Knowing that something as simple as a conversation, an activity, or a smile can brighten someone’s day is what makes this work so meaningful to me – and I feel privileged to care for older adults, and to help them feel valued, respected, and supported.”

Angela Nelson became our Director of Food Service in 2025, with 15 years of experience working in long term care. In addition to leading our food service team in the planning and preparing of our nutritious resident meals, she joins right in with cookouts, events, special treats, and our monthly breakfast buffet.

For Angela, our residents’ needs come first, and she truly enjoys getting to know each of them in a special way.

“I love to connect with our residents through food and enjoy learning about their heritage, family recipes, holiday traditions, and the dishes that bring back special memories. Food can be a powerful source of comfort and connection, and I feel fortunate to play a part in creating those moments for our residents.

Most of all, I am inspired by their resilience, kindness, and ability to find joy in life despite the challenges that come with aging.”