Dr. Joel Ross

CEO of J & D Pharmaceuticals LLC

Dr. Joel Ross has dedicated nearly 40 years to the practice of medicine as a physician, clinical researcher, educator, lecturer, and author. His career reflects a consistent commitment to patient care, medical education, and responsible clinical research. Among his professional accomplishments are being named Teacher of the Year, becoming the first geriatrician in New Jersey, and establishing the state's first geriatric fellowship program. His work also contributed to the development and availability of FDA-approved oral and transdermal medications for Alzheimer’s disease. He is the founder and Chief Executive Officer of J and D Pharmaceuticals LLC, based in Monmouth, New Jersey.

His clinical expertise is rooted in geriatric medicine, with a focus on the diagnosis and treatment of conditions associated with aging. These include cognitive disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease, along with a broad spectrum of medical conditions affecting older adults. His approach emphasizes careful evaluation, evidence-based decision making, and continuity of care.

Beyond his professional responsibilities, Dr. Ross has maintained a whole and active personal life. He has been happily married for nearly 47 years and remains deeply involved in competitive athletics. He is ranked number one in the country at the highest level of expertise in men’s doubles pickleball for ages 70 to 74 and ranks in the top 5 nationally in men’s singles pickleball. His athletic record includes numerous gold, silver, and bronze medals earned in singles and doubles competition.

Dr. Ross’s Education

Dr. Joel Ross attended Hofstra University in Hempstead, New York, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Biology. His undergraduate education provided a strong scientific base that supported his later medical training and research interests.

He received his Medical Degree from Downstate Medical Center in Brooklyn and completed his residency training at Nassau County Medical Center. During his residency, he was appointed chief resident, a role that reflected both his clinical ability and leadership skills.

Dr. Ross completed his Fellowship in Geriatric Medicine at Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York. He trained under Dr. Robert N. Butler, the first Director of the National Institute on Aging. This experience significantly influenced his long-term dedication to geriatric medicine and aging-related research.

His Professional Career

Dr. Joel Ross was selected as the first Medical Director of the Anna Alexander Greenwall Geriatric Program at Monmouth Medical Center, an endowed position. In this role, he helped develop comprehensive geriatric services and promote multidisciplinary care for older patients.

He also served as Director of the Geriatric Fellowship Program at Monmouth Medical Center. This program became the first geriatric fellowship in New Jersey and graduated many physicians who later established practices throughout New Jersey and across the United States.

Dr. Ross was later named Teacher of the Year at Monmouth Medical Center and subsequently served for seven years as Director of the Geriatrics Section in the Department of Internal Medicine at Jersey Shore Medical Center in Neptune. During this time, he continued to teach, mentor, and oversee geriatric clinical services.

In 2000, Dr. Joel Ross opened the Memory Enhancement Center of America in New York and New Jersey. These clinical research facilities focused on providing comprehensive care for patients with cognitive disorders, including Alzheimer’s disease, through a collaborative, team-based model.

At these centers, he and his colleagues conducted pivotal clinical research that helped bring all current FDA-approved oral and transdermal Alzheimer’s disease medications to market. He also presented research findings at local, regional, national, and international conferences focused on Alzheimer’s disease.

Dr. Ross later co-founded RN NanoPharmaceuticals LLC in Monmouth Beach and served as its Chief Executive Officer. In 2023, he founded J and D Pharmaceuticals, continuing his work in pharmaceutical research and clinical development.

Earlier in his career, he served as a trustee on the board of the Association of Clinical Research Professionals. He also authored a nationally recognized booklet that serves as a practical guide for principal investigators conducting high-quality clinical research.

Dr. Ross’s Work with J and D Pharmaceuticals

Dr. Joel Ross directs research initiatives at J and D Pharmaceuticals that focus on neurological and systemic conditions with significant unmet medical needs. The company completed an animal study examining traumatic brain injury using its proprietary compound JD 005.

Working with collaborators at the University of Oklahoma, he and his team tested JD 005 in rats following head trauma. The study demonstrated reduced acetylated tau levels and significant improvement in neurological outcomes, supporting further research into the compound.

Dr. Ross and colleagues at the University of Florida in Gainesville are currently conducting a clinical trial to determine acetylated tau levels in patients with traumatic brain injury. Their proprietary compound JD 005, in both intravenous and oral preparations, is expected to be administered in an upcoming clinical trial involving TBI patients.

J and D Pharmaceuticals has received three Orphan Drug Designations from the United States Food and Drug Administration for JD 004 and JD 005. These designations include Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease, a condition for which only one FDA-approved treatment currently exists and is associated with significant toxicity.

Additional Orphan Drug Designations were granted for Progeria and related laminopathies based on evidence suggesting potential to slow disease progression. Final animal studies are underway, with human trials expected to follow. The FDA has also granted designation for hepatocellular carcinoma, with clinical studies expected to begin soon.

A Prolific Lecturer, Author

Dr. Joel Ross has delivered hundreds of educational lectures to residents in retirement communities throughout New York and New Jersey. These presentations focus on recognizing the signs and symptoms of severe memory loss and understanding available testing and treatment options.

He has authored and contributed to a substantial body of peer-reviewed research related to Alzheimer’s disease, neurodegeneration, and emerging therapeutic approaches. His work has been presented at major scientific organizations, including the Alzheimer’s Association.

Dr. Ross also holds several patents related to his research and pharmaceutical development efforts, reflecting a continued commitment to thoughtful, evidence-based innovation.

Volunteer Work

Dr. Joel Ross volunteers at Parker Health Center in Red Bank, where older patients, many of whom are undocumented immigrants, receive medical care. Services include treatment for hypertension, diabetes, arthritis, and other chronic conditions, as well as free testing and medications.

Throughout nearly 40 years of medical practice, he has provided free medical services to thousands of individuals living in very low-income communities. He is known for making more house calls than any physician in New Jersey and for maintaining respect and compassion for patients and families.

Dr. Ross also gives public lectures and seminars on cardiopulmonary resuscitation. During a recent pickleball tournament, he responded immediately when a 48-year-old player collapsed on the court. Through coordinated CPR and defibrillator use, the individual survived, returned to playing pickleball, and experienced no neurological damage.