business briefs •••

Ben Dattner, author of “The Blame Game,” will share insights into the games people play at work and how human resources can help stop that behavior at the June 14 meeting of the Jersey Shore Association for Human Resources, scheduled from 8-10 a.m. at the Jumping Brook Country Club, Neptune.

Dattner will discuss how people and organizations can get caught up in the blame game, during which the wrong people get blamed for the wrong reasons at the wrong time and how that can affect motivation and performance. The registration fee and a full buffet breakfast is $25 for JSAHR members, $35 for nonmembers, and an additional $5 for walk-ins. To register, call 732-270-5204.

Gregg Bernicker & Associates and Mark Eiger, CPA, P.C., recently merged to form Bernicker, Eiger & Company, CPA, LLC. The new firm brings together the best services of both local New Jersey accounting firms.

“We have distinguished ourselves in serving local businesses and individuals and this merger further strengthens our capabilities,” said Bernicker, a CPA and principal partner. “We were pleased to find that our firms share values and visions of quality and personal service.”

Eiger, a CPAand principal partner, said, “We will be able to provide the highest quality of service to our clients with the ability to draw upon the expertise and resources from both firms.”

The two principals and more than 10 staff members will continue to provide their existing clients business management, personal and business tax consulting, financial management, tax preparation and planning, and bookkeeping services. The company has offices in Hazlet and Lakewood.

Bernicker is a certified public accountant with 30 years of tax and accounting experience working with small and mediumsized businesses, as well as individuals. He and his wife live in Marlboro. Bernicker is the proud father of two daughters.

Eiger is a certified public accountant with more than 20 years of tax and accounting experience working with sole proprietorships, small and medium-sized businesses, as well as individuals. He is an expert in IRS tax resolution issues. Eiger resides in Manalapan with his wife, Rhonda, an attorney, and their children, Danielle, Joshua and Hannah.

Dr. Harris N. Bram, East Brunswick, a board-certified and fellow-trained doctor in anesthesiology and pain management, has joined the medical team of orthopedic surgeons at Advanced Orthopedics and Sports Medicine Institute (AOSMI), Freehold. Bram will focus his practice on pain management and minimally invasive interventional spine procedures. Before joining AOSMI, Bram was the director of pain services, Department of Anesthesiology, at Monmouth Medical Center, Long Branch, where he had earlier been the subsection director of pain management for several years.

CentraState Medical Center, Freehold Township, has awarded seven nurses with its highest honor that an RN or LPN can receive — the Nursing Excellence Award. The 2012 award winners are: Diane Yacono, MSN, ANP-BC, CWS, Advanced Practice Nurse Services Award; Lisa Genovese, BSN, RN-BC, CBN, Medical Surgical Services Award; Maria Diaz, RN-BC, Perioperative Services Award; Ilisa Diamond, BSN, RN, Long-Term Care Services Award; Gabrielle Hallbauer, BSN, RNC, Maternal/Child Health Services Award; Lisa Chesney, RNC, Mental Health Services Award; and Deborah Foley, MSN, RN, Critical Care/Emergency Services Award.

The nurses are recognized for their teamwork, initiative, service excellence, and professionalism; participation in unit activities; involvement in research, publications, and formal lectures; certifications and education; and promoting CentraState in the community. Each winner received a framed certificate, a pin, flowers, and $200 from the medical staff.