Non-Profit Group in Northern NJ
Joy's Holistic Healing Team
We are a diverse group of humans who are committed to serving others. We come from a variety of professional industries who share a desire to do good. The individuals below are a small part of a greater community who support and celebrate our work.
Rev. Denise (Joy) Ridner
Reverend Denise Joy is the founder of Joy's Angels and is passionate about helping others on their healing journey.
Denise Joy has extensive experience in many holistic modalities including specific training for cancer patients. She is an ordained minister, licensed massage therapist, reiki master, energy worker and end of life doula.
D.O.C. Dogs of Compassion
​
Joy's Angels has a fleet of fur friends at OHS . A team of Dogs of Compassion. These four leggers provide patients with comfort during their treatments. Some of the ways our Doc's helps patients is when they bring their cold wet noses in for kisses. Each one of them brings joy and comfort by taking their patients minds off of the stresses patients are going through. Animals also have the ability to lower blood pressure and also bring comfort and easy.
Mariam Khafi-Tahhan
Licensed massage therapist since 2009, Certified oncology massage therapist since 2010, Reiki master, Sound healer, Cranio Sacral therapy, and Somato Emotional release.
Lourdes Rosario-Ganguzza
Lourdes is a Medical Aesthetician with almost 20 years of experience working in the field of Medical Spa, Dermatology and Plastic surgeon. She has experience in many different skin care modalities such as, Medical Grade Facials and Body Treatment. She holds certification for Permanent make-up and Mastering a Oncology Aesthetician Training. Using Skin Care Therapy, Lourdes wants to provide her experience and healing touch to Comfort Cancer Patients and their Caregivers on their Healing Journey.
Rama Jonnalagadda
In 2015, Rama completed a teacher training at Nirvana Yoga and Wellness Center in Montville. She has also taught yoga at Montville Library for seniors. Since 2015, she has taught chair yoga classes at three different Adult Day Care Centers. Two years ago, she opened a yoga studio in Lake Hiawatha. Rama teaches meditation, Hatha yoga, Yoga nidra, Laughter yoga, and Mudhras. Sun salutations are her specialty as well as pranayam, kids yoga, and prenatal yoga. Rama loves to teach! Namaste.
Krista Scott
Krista is graduate of SUNY Purchase Art school in New York. Krista earned a 4 year degree in Fine Arts. Her passion teaching art started in 1998 to all ages. As a Camp Art teacher, she landed an art teaching position in Bedford, New York. After working there for a few years, she worked with many private schools as an After School Art Teacher. She started a party business with art incorporated. Since art has always been her first love and passion a new chapter has started. In 2018 she became a self published author and illustrator to her first children's book Ollie. She has developed a passion to excite young readers by providing colorful pages and playful characters that engage children in the reading experience. In 2019, Krista had been faced with Breast Cancer and soon became a patient at Joy's Angels Healing Center. The love and support that she found from all the amazing people who work there inspired her to become a member and volunteer for “Joy’s Angels, in Mountain Lakes, NJ. She has been doing Art as therapy for young and old, which gives them something to focus on and also to help their healing process. Painting classes and other great activities the center provides are some of the many reasons why you will love being a part of this journey.
Ruth Ratliff, VSTCP
Ruth Ratliff, VSTCP, voice professional, sound healer, author and inspirational speaker. Her work is centered on the belief that the power of voice and sound can be an instrument of expression, healing and sacred connection. She uses a holistic approach, combining science and spirituality to help her clients access a conscious transformation to lead a healthy, fully expressed life.
Ruth Ratliff is a licensed, certified Vibrational Sound Therapist and holds certifications in Vocal Sound Healing and Shoden Reiki. Ruth has been a singer, performer and workshop leader for many years and a holistic voice teacher for the past 20 years. She studied vocal performance and pedagogy at Mannes Music College and Westminster Choir College. Ruth’s book “The Voice of Women’s Wisdom” can be found on amazon.com.
Elizabeth Sherpa, L.Ac, LMT
Elizabeth is a nationally certified NCCAOM diplomate and Licensed Acupuncturist in the state of New Jersey. She is a graduate of the Eastern School of Acupuncture where she trained in a variety of acupuncture styles including traditional Chinese, Japanese, Trigger point and Five Element. Elizabeth has continued her education with Master Teachers Susan Johnson and Dr. Henry McCann, focusing on Master Tung style acupuncture, a style of acupuncture noted for it’s effectiveness and immediate results. She is also a Massage Therapist, Qi Gong Healer and Reiki Master and thus brings a bodyworker’s touch to the art of acupuncture.
​
“I share your vision of a life without pain and illness- of a life full of Health and the Vibrancy that is the truth of who you are. I hold that vision for you even when you can not see it."
Donna Sky, License Hairstylist
If chemo treatment finds you losing your hair, let Donna help you to remove the rest in a beautiful private setting specifically designed to give you comfort and complete privacy. She will make the experience less painful and traumatic. At Joys Angels you will experience a spa like atmosphere, soft lighting soothing music and aromatherapy. Donna will conclude your service with a scalp massage with scented oils of your choice and a small gift bag will accompany you when you leave.
Please feel free to contact Donna for an appointment or with any questions you may have.
Donna can be reached at 973-886-0438
Maria Argen RN, CHTP
Maria Argen is a seasoned cardiac nurse at Hackensack Meridian Health for over 32 years and a Certified Healing Touch Practitioner. She discovered Healing Touch, a form of energy therapy, while searching for a way to relieve her daughter’s chronic migraines. Since 2012, she has been helping grow awareness about this modality in the northern NJ community and hospital setting. Her dream is to become a certified instructor so that she can teach others who strive for optimal health and give caregivers effective, easy-to-learn techniques. Healing Touch works with a person’s energy field to support the body’s natural ability to heal. It is useful with many conditions including chronic pain, fatigue, emotional issues, and stress management. There are several ongoing disease-specific research studies and the certification program is endorsed by the American Holistic Nurses Association.
Rev. Karen Blunt
I am Reverend Karen Blunt and I am filling in for Reverend Joy while she is away. I have been a part of Joy’s Angels since the beginning. I am happy and privileged to be able to head up the ABC’s of Healing meetings.
Let me tell you a little about myself. I am a retired paraprofessional and worked for the Parsippany Troy-Hills Board of Education for 30 years. I worked with multiped disabled children from age 3 through 21. I am married to my high school sweetheart for almost 52 years and have lived in Parsippany since 1974. We have 2 married sons and 4 grandchildren.
Since 2002, I am a four time cancer survivor having gone through numerous surgeries, chemotherapies and a bout of radiation. I am very grateful to Dr. Abassi and the staff at Oncology and Hematology Specialists for treating me with such excellent care during these difficult times and through my recoveries.
Joy’s Angels meet at the OHS center on the 4th Monday of each month.
Carole Schaffer
Carole Schaffer is a former cancer survivor having battled the disease twice. She has a Master’s degree in Education and post Ed.s degree in individual, marriage and family therapy. Carole was a New Jersey licensed marriage and family therapist for 37 years. She worked in conjunction with the Morris County Prosecutors office providing seminars on abuse and was selected as a speaker for the State of New Jersey victims of violent crimes board. Carole has been involved with women advocacy support groups, served as a member of the Crisis Intervention team at Morristown Memorial Hospital and was an Adjunct Professor at Montclair State University. She is also a published author of information for women who have suffered abuse.
Carole is joining the Joy’s Angels Holistic Healing Center as a facilitator of a support group that will be starting in September for cancer patients and their care givers. The emphasis of the group will be the post-traumatic stress cancer patients and/or care givers may endure following the cancer treatment and/or surgeries and to provide emotional and psychological support as well as spiritual. She has the expertise, knowledge, and gift to help others recognize the impact cancer has had on their lives. Carole is blessed with the empathy and spiritual guidance to assist in this emotional healing journey
Carole currently resides in Montville, NJ with her husband Charles, she is a mother and has 6 grandchildren.