Pulmonology Specialty Welcomes New Leadership
Dr. Kalanie Mendis (left) and Dr. Manish Gugnani
PLAINSBORO, N.J. (Sept. 1, 2026) — Merwick Care & Rehabilitation has added RenalX, a specialized care offering for patients with chronic kidney disease and related diagnoses. Under the direction of nephrologist Kalanie Mendis, MD, RenalX complements a growing suite of specialty programs at the Plainsboro skilled nursing center. Among them, the facility’s established RespiraCare Pulmonary Rehab has also welcomed new leadership, with Manish Gugnani, MD, joining as its director.
Dr. Mendis, who is board-certified in nephrology, hypertension and internal medicine, brings over two decades of medical experience to this new role at Merwick; she is the founder of Princeton Kidney Care. Dr. Gugnani is board certified in critical care, internal medicine, sleep medicine and pulmonary medicine, and serves as a diplomate of the American Board of Sleep Medicine. He is fluent in Hindi and Punjabi.
“The additions of Dr. Mendis and Dr. Gugnani to the Merwick team reflect the center’s emphasis on partnering with leading regional specialists and expanding its market-specific programming,” noted Jennifer Lucas, regional director of care transition at Marquis Health Consulting Services, which supports the Middlesex County center. “Merwick is pleased to welcome them to its talented team as it continues to align care initiatives with the healthcare needs of area residents.”
RenalX is designed to help preserve kidney function and prevent further decline through treatment and education. This includes protocols to reduce symptoms, decrease disability, and increase quality of life. For higher-acuity kidney patients requiring hemodialysis, Davita Kidney Care operates an onsite dialysis den with its own clinical oversite.
RespiraCare is designed to enhance lung function and support overall well-being after an illness or hospitalization. Services are tailored to assist individuals with all levels of pulmonary function.
Merwick also features clinician-led programs for orthopedic and cardiac rehab. All Merwick specialty care offerings are designed to support whole-person wellness as patients work to maximize their strength and independence. Patients benefit from consults with board-certified specialists, a customized treatment plan with advanced therapies and technologies, nutrition counseling, and patient and caregiver education. Care is coordinated from pre-admission through discharge and transition home, with a central goal to reduce hospital re-admission.
Located at 100 Plainsboro Road, Merwick Care & Rehabilitation provides post-hospital care, short-term rehab and long-term residential care. More information on Merwick and its programming can be found at merwickrehab.com.
Marquis Health Consulting Services provides administrative consulting services to skilled nursing facilities and senior living communities along the Eastern Seaboard. The company’s “Care, anew” philosophy supports its mission to help clients transform industry processes, mindsets and outcomes. Marquis-serviced skilled nursing centers have access to an evolving suite of clinician-led specialty care models, signature services and comfort features – enabling innovation, compassion and purpose in every aspect of care.
###
About Merwick Care & Rehabilitation
100 Plainsboro Road, Plainsboro, NJ 08536
Follow Merwick Care & Rehab on Facebook
Media Contact:
Sandy Crisafulli / David Wilderotter
Caryl Communications
201-796-7788
sandy@caryl.com / david@caryl.com