Sister Joan Deering has been a member of the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph for over fifty years. Throughout her nursing ministry, S. Joan brought a committed approach to patient well-being, dignity, and care. For twenty-five years, she ministered with the Nursing Sisters of the Sick Poor in Brooklyn and Patchogue, New York, providing nursing care to the homebound. Joan started as a staff nurse and eventually advanced to nursing supervisor of patient service. In preparation for her profession, Joan studied at Catholic Medical Center School of Nursing for her RN, Molloy University for a BSN, and Adelphi University for her MSN/Clinical Nurse Specialist. While studying at Adelphi, she was inducted into the Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing. In 2000, S. Joan was called to serve the Congregation as Regional Superior and then Health Care Coordinator for Sisters living in Brooklyn and Queens. In these positions, she acted as advocate for individual members regarding personal growth, ministry, and health concerns. Though Joan is retired, she continues to be available for consultations.

John Doyle is an accomplished nursing leader with over 28 years of experience spanning emergency medical services, acute care, sub-acute rehabilitation, and long-term care operations. He currently serves as Assistant Director of Nursing at Maria Regina Nursing and Rehabilitation, where he plays a key role in clinical oversight, staff development, regulatory compliance, and quality-improvement initiatives. John previously held senior leadership roles including Director of Nursing and Assistant Director of Nursing, as well as Director of Case Management and Intake. His clinical foundation includes five years as a Registered Nurse at Southside Hospital on a Physical Rehabilitation unit as well as Cardiac Telemetry, and an Operations Manager with EAS Ambulance, giving him a rare blend of frontline clinical expertise and operational leadership. Known for his strong assessment skills, patient-safety focus, and commitment to service excellence, John has led initiatives in fall prevention, staff education, and interdisciplinary care coordination. He is highly skilled in IV access, clinical operations, and team mentorship. John earned his Associate Degree in Nursing from St. Paul’s School of Nursing and is currently completing his Bachelor of Science in Nursing at Pace University. Licensed as a Registered Nurse in New York State, he is CPR certified and is pursuing advanced education with the long-term goal of becoming a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner.

Mary Lou Locke has been a resident at Maria Regina since 2019. She calls this place her home and considers all residents and staff her “Maria Regina Family.” Born in Bay Shore, Mary Lou attended St. Patrick’s Elementary School and Bay Shore High School. She worked as a secretary for the Islip Town Clerk for 20 years. She enjoyed 30 years of marriage and moved to Florida with her husband where she worked as a legal secretary. When she became a widow, she moved back to Long Island and found new life as a receptionist for the Sisters of St. Joseph in their Convent. Mary Lou was inspired by their charism and mission and became an Associate which deepened her prayer life. She always believed in making a difference, especially when combined with the tenets of her faith. Mary Lou served as a volunteer at Maria Regina for 15 years, warmly welcoming residents with her gifts of hospitality, compassion, and faith. For 10 years, she volunteered weekly at St. Anne’s Church in the soup kitchen and made wash kits for the homeless. Passionate about nurturing empathy and fostering connection, Mary Lou is actively involved at Maria Regina and is beloved by both residents and staff. She currently belongs to a book group, scripture sharing group, and sings with the choir. She serves on the Resident Council and is a committee member for Operation Christmas Child. Whenever needed, she continues to volunteer here turning her passion into impact.

S. Elizabeth Looney began her professional career as a classroom teacher upon completion of her studies at Brentwood College with a bachelor degree in elementary education and theology. S. Liz has been a life-long learner as she continued to pursue academic studies while teaching her elementary and high school classes. Although she found profound joy in her students, she felt a pull to pursue a different profession. She first completed her studies in nutrition and dietetics at New York University. She then completed a traineeship in her field at Calvary Hospital which evolved into a permanent fulltime clinical dietitian position. Later, S. Liz became the Director of Nutrition at Calvary and she remained there for 26 years. In response to a Congregational need, S. Elizabeth then came to Maria Regina Convent in Brentwood to establish a Nutrition Department in preparation for licensure of the facility. Known for her calm demeanor and ability to connect with patients, she served as Director of the department for 23 years. She was part of the administrative team when Maria Regina Convent for elderly and infirm sisters transitioned to a licensed health care facility named Maria Regina Residence. S. Liz considers these years and all those who have touched her life to be a gift. Her ministry in healthcare has, at times, been challenging, but it has always been a privilege.

Tanya Randolph, brings more than 30 years of dedicated experience in long-term care and healthcare leadership to her role as Administrator of Maria Regina Rehabilitation and Nursing. Tanya began her career in 1994 at the age of 19 as a housekeeper at Our Lady of Consolation in West Islip, New York. Her commitment to serving the elderly quickly grew into a lifelong passion, inspiring her to advance through nearly every level of healthcare. Tanya earned her LPN license from the VEEB Practical Nursing Program. In subsequent years, she earned her Registered Nursing degree, and a degree in Healthcare Administration. In 2005, Tanya accepted a position with Paragon Management LLC. Her nursing experience proved invaluable in the variety of managerial roles she held at Paragon, including nursing supervisor, assistant director of nursing, director of nursing, corporate registered nurse, and nursing home administrator. Tanya joined Maria Regina Rehabilitation and Nursing in January 2024 as the Director of Nursing. Her strong leadership, clinical experience, and commitment to resident-centered care led to her appointment as Nursing Home Administrator in May 2024 under the facility’s new ownership, Optima Care. Ms. Randolph believes wholeheartedly that caring for the elderly is her life’s work. She is passionate about building a supportive, mission-driven culture, elevating quality of care, and ensuring that every resident at Maria Regina receives compassionate, dignified, and exceptional service.

Theresa Roach came to Maria Regina in 2019 and currently serves as the Director of Pastoral Care. Her love for Maria Regina goes back to 2010 when her mother, suffering from dementia, became a participant in the adult day care program and later became a resident in long term care. She developed a deep love for all the Sisters of St. Joseph, residents, and staff. In her role in Pastoral Care, Theresa strives to treat all as if they were her own mother. She began her career as a Credentialed Alcohol and Substance Abuse Counselor working in outpatient and detox services. She holds an Associate Degree from Suffolk Community College and a Certificate from the Institute of Alcoholism and Addictive Behavior Studies at South Oaks Hospital in Amityville. Theresa is a trained Spiritual Director, having received her formation through Sisters of St. Joseph. She is a Graduate of the Diocese of Rockville Centre’s Pastoral Formation Institute (1997). Theresa devoted more than 22 years in parish ministry, serving as the Director of Youth and Family Life Ministry and Baptism Ministry. She became a retreat leader in the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius. Her ministry reflects a deep commitment to accompanying others in faith and compassion. During this time, she brought the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd – a Montessori based approach to faith formation – into her religious education program for young children. Theresa is a wife, mother and proud grandmother of three.

Colleen is the Director of Human Resources at Maria Regina with over thirty years of experience helping healthcare organizations with employee engagement. Specializing in labor relations and management, Colleen uses that experience to help companies source, retain, and mentor the right staff for each position. By focusing on supporting and developing the staff who meet the daily challenges of caring for individuals in need, Colleen has been able to put the Professional in Human Resources Certificate she earned at St. Joseph’s College (now University) to good use here at Maria Regina. It’s the prospect of helping employees meet their challenges through creativity and compassion that gets her up in the morning. She is passionate about the mission of Maria Regina and strives to create an inclusive and inspiring environment where every individual can thrive and reach their full potential. Colleen is a professional vocalist and loves spending her weekends performing with her husband, who accompanies her on the guitar. She credits her Catholic school education with fostering her love of music, both liturgical and secular.

Joan Ventre, a steadfast volunteer at Maria Regina Rehabilitation and Nursing for eight years, focuses on providing companionship to and engaging residents in daily activities with a caring and empathetic approach. After graduating from Central Islip State Hospital School of Nursing, and from St. Joseph College (now University) with a bachelor’s degree, Joan gained valuable experience during her forty-nine years as a registered nurse in a variety of care settings, honing skills in health promotion and building trusting relationships. Now retired, she ministers with the MRR Pastoral care team in offering residents spiritual support through compassionate listening, prayer, and facilitating spiritual practices – all while respecting each person’s religious tradition. She nurtures her own faith at her parish of St. Anne’s as she is actively involved with the parish’s Consolation and Eucharistic Ministries. Joan finds joy in her roles as mother of two and grandmother of two.

Helen M. Wolf, Ph.D. serves as the Director of Mission Integration for The Sisters of St. Joseph of Brentwood. She works with the Congregation’s partners in mission and other supporters to engender enthusiasm for and a desire to support and participate in advancing the Sisters of St. Joseph’s mission toward union with God and the sacred community of life. A native of Brooklyn, New York, Dr. Wolf has been a lifelong religious educator having taught elementary/high school religion in the Brooklyn Diocese for 15 years, followed by over 20 years in Catholic higher education at The College of New Rochelle and The University of Scranton in campus ministry, mission integration, and as an adjunct professor. A commitment to justice, respect for the individual, embracing diversity, and standing in solidarity with the oppressed and marginalized are at the core of her personal and professional missions. Dr. Wolf holds an undergraduate degree in sociology/anthropology, two master’s degrees in education and religion/religious education, and a doctor of philosophy in religious education from Fordham University. She has presented at national conferences on moral theology in postmodernity, peer ministry, multiculturalism, and the school as faith community. She has written on topics pertinent to Catholic scholarship, including generational identity, young adult ministry, interreligious relationships, service learning, Catholic higher education, and ecofeminism.