Our Team
J. Edward Burleigh, III NHA
President & Chief Executive Officer
With more than 25 years’ experience as a licensed nursing home administrator, and holding licensure in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, New York and Arizona, J. Edward Burleigh III, NHA has worked at all levels of senior housing and services, including Nursing Homes, Assisted Living, CCRC’s, Affordable Housing, LTACH’s and Hospital-based skilled nursing facilities with ventilator units.
As a senior living consultant, Ed has been responsible for all aspects of project developments, including pre-construction, marketing, and operations preparation, as well as performed numerous senior housing and nursing home operations reviews for existing communities experiencing operational and financial difficulties.
As CEO of a multi-facility organization, Ed was instrumental in improving the financial, operational, public image and quality of care for two healthcare facilities and led the development team for a start-up CCRC and Affordable Housing Community.
Ed has been married for 27 years and has four children.
(267) 270-4980
ed.burleigh@tulipspecialcare.com
Lisa reiff, NHA
Assistant Administrator
As Assistant Administrator, Lisa Reiff oversees the facility’s quality initiatives and operational effectiveness. Lisa began her career at Wiley Mission, an organization her great-grandfather founded. After completing her undergraduate at Asbury University, she started her career in the Business Office at Wiley Christian Retirement Community where she developed a passion for serving the elderly and most vulnerable. She received her Nursing Home Administrator license in July 2019 after completing her Administrator in Training hours at Holy Redeemer- St. Joseph Manor. In her down time, Lisa loves cooking, singing and playing guitar at her church.
(267) 270-4977
lisa.reiff@tulipspecialcare.com
Dr. Larry W. Spector, DO
Medical Director
Dr. Spector, DO, is an Internal Medicine specialist in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He attended and graduated from Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine in 1994, having over 25 years of diverse experience, especially in Internal Medicine. Dr. Spector completed his residency with Christiana Care Health Services, Christiana, DE. He is affiliated with many hospitals including Albert Einstein Medical Center, Jeanes Hospital, Nazareth Hospital, and Temple University Hospital. Dr. Larry W. Spector also cooperates with other doctors and physicians in medical groups including Einstein Practice Plan Inc. and Temple Physicians Inc. Dr. Spector accepts Medicare-approved amount as payment in full.
Kathleen defriece
Chief Business Officer
Kathleen has more than 30 years of health care operations and financial experience. In that time she has worked in single and multi-long term care facilities, most recently with Holy Redeemer Health System and Catholic Healthcare Services. She has a proven track record of improving cash flow and profit. She has lead with a very hands-on approach to the daily operations of these organizations and has developed proven strategies in the management of admissions, billing, accounts receivable and contracting. She brings strategic insights and operational expertise as she guides initiatives to improve financial outcomes for providers in the post-acute care space.
(215) 842-3300 ext. 104
Kathleen.DeFriece@tulipspecialcare.com
Kathleen Quigley msn, rn
Director of Nursing
Kathleen Quigley has greater than 30 years nursing experience in both acute care hospital settings and skilled nursing facilities. She began her nursing career as a nursing assistant wile obtaining her BSN at Gwynedd-Mercy University. Throughout her nursing career, Kathleen has held leadership positions including weekend charge, night supervisor, nurse manager and Director of Nursing. Kathleen enjoys time with her four adult children, travel and maintaining her dance instructor duties at a suburban dance studio in her spare time. Kathleen supports continuing nursing education and has held certifications in nursing leadership, trauma, Advanced Stroke Life Support (ASLS); as well as, Basics Life Support (BLS) and Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS). She obtained her MSN in Nursing Leadership from Immaculata University. She has pre-presented numerous posters regarding Stroke Care Excellence at Neuroscience and American heart Association Stroke conferences. Kathleen has dedicated her life’s work to improve patient, resident and caregiver environments.
(215) 842-3300 ext. 126
kathleen.quigley@tulipspecialcare.com
Christina Berman, RN
Nurse Manager
Christina Berman began her nursing career at Garden Spring Center in Willow Grove, PA. She began as a charge nurse in the short-term rehab unit for two years, caring for residents with ventilator and respiratory needs. Christina was then promoted to Unit Manager on their LTC floor. She began at Tulip as a charge nurse in August of 2018 seeing Tulip in its beginning stages. She was promoted to Interim DON in April of 2019, and is now Nurse Manager. Christina enjoys spending time as a “dance mom” with her youngest daughter and playing with her two grandkids. Christina loves caring for the patients at Tulip and loves seeing the progress made with their care, especially when weaned off the ventilator.
chris.berman@tulipspecialcare.com
Melissa Fortunato
Chief Financial Officer
As CFO, Melissa is responsible for the accounting, financial operations, tax functions and human resources for Tulip Special Care.
After graduating from Eastern University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Management, Melissa acquired accounting experience for various types of entities during her fifteen years at Valley forge Investment Corporation and focused in the hospitality management division, Valley Forge Hotel Management Company, as hotel controller for eight years until the sale of the hotel portfolio in 2015.
Prior to joining Tulip Special Care, she served as Controller for a start-up Philadelphia home healthcare management company, overseeing all accounting and financial operations for seven healthcare entities.
An active member and on the Board of Directors for FRIENDS (the only national organization dedicated solely to empowering young people who stutter)
(267) 270-4981
melissa.fortunato@tulipspecialcare.com
ChristinE kinard
Billing Specialist
As a Billing Specialist, Christine is responsible for all billing and reimbursement for all financial aspects of the Business office. She also does Medicaid coordinating to ensure that all residents have available resources and funding for their long-term care needs.
Christine started her career at The Foot and Ankle Institute in 1986 and has acquired skills for all fields of Medical Billing in her over 30 years of experience.
Christine has been billing for skilled nursing facilities, her favorite field, for the last 19 years because she loves to be with the residents and their families. She enjoys advocating for residents and families to ensure they are provided with appropriate coverage.
(267) 270-4975
christine.kinard@tulipspecialcare.com
peggy castilho
Clinical Liaison
Bringing more than 20 years of nursing expierence to the admissions department allows us to provide a smooth transition from the hospital to Tulip Special Care. Her experience ranges from Assisted Living to Sub-Acute Care. This experience assists in understanding and lining up the equipment and supplies needed for our admissions prior to their arrival.
She truly believes that it is important to treat each patient and family member with respect and compassion.
(267) 270-4976
margaret.castilho@tulipspecialcare.com
Mackenzie Woods
Director of Social Services
With a Bachelor's degree in Social Work from Temple University, Mackenzie is an expert in advocating for patients and their psychosocial needs. Mackenzie has a passion for working with older adults and works in coordination with the interdisciplinary team to ensure all unmet needs of the patient are addressed. Mackenzie has extensive experience working in skilled nursing facilities in the Philadelphia area. She takes pride in ensuring each patient and their family have all the resources they need, including but not limited to durable medical equipment and home health services, to succeed after their time at Tulip.
mackenzie.woods@tulipspecialcare.com
Pat dakuginow
Director of Human Resources
Pat has been a Director of Human Resources in the healthcare field for 25 years. She has extensive experience in the hiring of employees and complying to the Department of Health. She works closely with employees during the hiring process and conducts all orientation information. Employee questions and concerns regarding to their benefits and the employee handbook are directed to and advised by Pat.
Pat enjoys getting to know each employee during the initial hiring and continuing her relationship with them throughout their career at Tulip Special Care.
(267) 270-4978