Allendale Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center has appointed Dr. Sarika Sharma, a highly credentialed cardiologist affiliated with Hackensack Meridian Health (HMH), as the director of its established Cardiac Rehabilitation program.
Allendale’s program is designed to provide high-quality cardiac rehab services to individuals managing challenging or life-threatening heart conditions. This includes patients recovering from a cardiac event or surgical procedure, as well as those at high risk for cardiovascular disease.
Sharma brings deep clinical expertise to the role. She is triple board certified in internal medicine, cardiovascular disease, and nuclear cardiology, and holds a subspecialty in adult congenital heart disease. Dr. Sharma completed both her residency and fellowship at Hackensack University Medical Center (HUMC), which was recently named the Best Hospital in NJ for Cardiology, Heart and Vascular Surgery for 2025-2026 by U.S. News & World Report. She is also a fellow of the American College of Cardiology.
Allendale Rehab & Healthcare Center itself holds the prestigious distinction of being an American Heart Association Heart Failure Certified Skilled Nursing Center, recognizing its commitment to high-quality heart failure care.
The appointment is seen as a key step in strengthening the relationship between Allendale and the HMH health system.
“Allendale is pleased to partner with Dr. Sharma and strengthen its relationship with Hackensack Meridian Health, a ‘best of the best’ health system partner for the center,” Christina Albano said. Albano is the regional director of market development at Marquis Health Consulting Services, which supports Allendale. “Dr. Sharma, who is well regarded for her expertise in cardiology, warm manner and leadership acumen, will work hand in hand with Allendale’s talented team to deliver high-quality cardiac rehab services.”
Allendale Rehab & Healthcare is a 299-bed skilled nursing facility that provides post-hospital care, short-term rehab, and long-term residential care. The center maintains a Five-Star Quality Measures rating from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and is accredited by The Joint Commission.
