Southern Ocean Center
1361 Route 72 West, Manahawkin, NJ 08050
Main Phone Number: 609-978-0600
Southern Ocean Center is a skilled nursing facility offering post-hospital, short-term rehabilitation as well as long-term and respite care. We accept Medicare, Medicaid, and most private insurances. Our staff is dedicated to serving the medical and rehabilitation needs of individuals recovering from illness or injury. Southern Ocean is an AHCA Bronze Quality Award Winner and a We Honor Veterans community partner!
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Services
- ShortStay care
- LongTerm care
- Palliative care
- Rehabilitation therapy
- Physical therapy
- Occupational therapy
- Speech therapy
- Orthopedic Rehabilitation - including joint replacement, injuries and amputation
- Outpatient Rehabilitation Services
- On-site Nurse Practitioner
- Attending Physicians
- Registered Nurses
- IV Therapy
- Total Parenteral Nutrition (TPN)
- Audiology care
- Colostomy care
- Dental care
- Personal care
- Physiatry services
- Podiatry care
- Psychiatric services
- Vision care
- Wound care
- X-ray
- Hospice care
- Pain management
- Case management
- Dietary and nutrition needs management
- Discharge planning
- Individual treatment plans
- Medication management
- 24-hour emergency alert and response system
- Cultural, educational, religious and social activities
- Recreation activities
- Powerback Rehabilitation to You
Amenities
- Private and Semi-Private Rooms
- Fully air conditioned
- Individual climate control
- Activity room
- Beautiful Garden(s) / Courtyard(s)
- Beauty Salon / Barber Services
- Cable Television
- Comfortable common and lounge areas to gather with friends and family
- Dining Room
- In-room dining options
- Private dining rooms for family gatherings
- Restaurant-Style Dining
- Alarm system to aid in the security of residents with cognitive deficits
- Complimentary laundry facility on-site
- Computer with internet access
- Housekeeping
- Laundry facility on-site
- Mail and Newspaper Service
- Pets Permitted
- Pharmaceutical delivery service
- Phone service
- Telephone
- Wireless Internet
John Myers
AdministratorJohn Myers has over 15 years of experience in health care operations, with a strong focus on post-acute care procedures and regulations. He has extensive training across multiple departments in skilled nursing settings in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Florida. Currently, as Senior Executive Director at Genesis HealthCare Southern Ocean Center in Manahawkin, NJ (since April 2018), he achieved a CMS 5-Star rating, a Deficiency Free Annual Survey in 2019, a 2022 Silver AHCA Award, and exceeded $17.8 million in revenue in 2023. Previously, he served as Center Executive Director at Genesis HealthCare Naamans Creek, Garnet Valley, PA, where he also raised the CMS star rating. Earlier roles include Administrator at Genesis HealthCare Brinton Manor, Interim Administrator at Genesis HealthCare Sanatoga Center, and Assistant Administrator at Genesis HealthCare Fairview. He holds a Bachelor's in Public Health – Administration from Richard Stockton University and is a Licensed Nursing Home Administrator in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
Dr. Harry Larkin
Medical DirectorDr. Harry Larkin has been in practice at Island Medical on Long Beach Island since 1991. He attended UMDNJ Robert Wood Johnson Medical School and completed his residency in family medicine at Virtua Hospital - Mt. Holly, NJ. Dr. Larkin serves as the Chairman of the Dept. of Family Practice at Southern Ocean Medical Center. In addition, he is Assistant Medical Examiner for Ocean County, NJ. Dr. Harry Larkin has been the Medical Director at Southern Ocean Center - Genesis HealthCare since 2010.
Yvonne London
Director of NursingYvonne began her nursing career in 2008. Her experience includes working in acute and subacute rehabilitation settings and also long term care. She started with Genesis in 2018 as the Assistant Director of Nursing and was recently promoted to the Director of Nursing. She received her RN from Jersey College School of Nursing. She also has her Bachelor of Science in Nursing and her Masters in Education and Leadership.
Patty Bennert
Admissions DirectorPatty has been dedicated to the healthcare field for over 30 years, bringing a wealth of experience and passion to her role. Since 2000, she has served as the Admissions Director at Southern Ocean Center, where she plays a vital role in guiding patients and families through the admissions process with compassion and professionalism. Before joining Southern Ocean Center, Patty honed her expertise as an Admissions Director in several other nursing facilities throughout Ocean County. Her extensive background in healthcare administration and patient relations has made her an invaluable asset to the communities she serves. Patty’s commitment to fostering positive experiences for patients and their families reflects her dedication to enhancing the quality of care and support within the long-term care setting.
Kerine Belgrave
Skin Health Team LeadSouthern Ocean Center would like to introduce Ms. Kerine Belgrave our Skin Health Team Lead. Kerine began her nursing career in 2018. Her experience includes working in the acute, subacute rehabilitation and long-term settings. She has been with Genesis Healthcare since 2019 as a Direct Care Nurse and was recently tasked with the Skin Health Team Lead position. She received her LPN license from OCVTS and is currently pursuing her RN Certification.
Brooke Nikitich, COTA/L
Director Of Physical, Occupational & Speech TherapyBrooke started her career as a COTA/L in 2016. She started with Powerback Rehabilitation in March 2023 as the Assistant Director of Rehabilitation at Jersey Shore Center. Brooke transitioned to North Cape Center as the Director of Rehabilitation in September 2023 and has now joined our team at Southern Ocean Center this month, September 2024 as our new Director of Rehabilitation. When she is not working she is home with her beautiful daughter and traveling with her family.
Kind and compassionate
The professional care and the kind-heartedness and compassion delivered by all your staff on a daily basis is one to be applauded. I cannot thank them enough and I am so grateful for the attention and protection my mother receives at Genesis.
Hard working
So much hard work the staff is doing, we really appreciate all you do - especially now.
Safety first approach
I thought I would take a moment to commend the staff on all the work they are doing during this pandemic to keep the residents/patients safe. Everyone is doing a great job and it is really appreciated.
FIVE-STAR treatment
I just wanted you to know that my family and I will never forget the love and gentle care your staff gave my mom. I will miss talking with the residents, but I know they are getting the FIVE-STAR treatment my mom received. Be well.
Great
Chrissy the nurse was great. Keely and Maria the nurse practitioners were great.
Good people
I thought the PT was excellent. I like the people. They were good, intelligent and helpful They were good people, they were nice. I don't know how they do that job because I couldn't do it.
Facility is run well
They've been very good to my mother. The facility is run well.
Note from our Medical Director
Southern Ocean Center has been under very strict quarantine in the midst of the recent Covid-19 pandemic. We are pleased now that the pandemic has for the moment become very quiet in our center. Caregivers and staff remain constantly vigilant for the protection of all. Personal protective equipment (PPE) remains available to all staff and patients/residents at the Center. Strict isolation protocols continued to be followed for the protection of the patients/residents. We are hopeful that the next phase will allow us to continue to protect our patients/residents and staff but allow a more humane visitor policy. Patient care and safety continue to be the primary focus of all of us here at Southern Ocean Center.
- Dr. Harry Larkin, Medical Director at Southern Ocean Center
Exceptional
They did a good job with communication in handling the COVID. They keep me informed. Its exceptional. The staff does work together as a team. John Meyers the executive director, he works great and is an outstanding leader.
- Anonymous
Compassionate Care
I am making very good progress. Please know that my stay at Southern Ocean Center, was a pleasant one. I cant thank you enough for the compassionate care I received.
- Anonymous
Wonderful staff
I wish that they could find some ways to let immediate family members to see their loved ones just a little bit more. The staff have been wonderful.
Nice, professional and friendly
They have been wonderful so far. They have always been nice, professional and friendly.
Good staff
I have a good relationship with the staff.
Excellent staff and food
The staff is excellent so is the food. My room was kept nice and clean.
Helpful and considerate
They're all very helpful and considerate I believe that it was an enjoyable stay.
Recent Testimonials from ServiceTrac:
They have excellent therapists.
I don't remember any of their names, but the CNA's and the nurses were wonderful. They attended to everything that I needed. There wasn't anyone that didn't deserve an accolade.
I received excellent care. The nurses were wonderful.
It was a good place I can say.
If my wife needs to go back and needs help, I would choose Genesis.
