June 2, 2026 — Amber Hester has been appointed market chief executive officer of Rehabilitation Hospital of Atlanta. The 40-bed inpatient rehabilitation hospital, located inside Piedmont Atlanta Hospital, is a joint venture between Encompass Health and Piedmont. Hester will oversee hospital operations at both Rehabilitation Hospital of Atlanta and Rehabilitation Hospital of Henry in McDonough.
“Rehabilitation Hospital of Atlanta is dedicated to providing excellent patient-centered care, and I look forward to leading the hospital’s highly qualified team,” Hester said. “The care we provide our patients after a major illness or injury is significant and essential.”
Hester brings more than 20 years of healthcare financial and operations experience to Rehabilitation Hospital of Atlanta. Before assuming the market CEO role in 2021 at Rehabilitation Hospital of Henry, she served as CEO of Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital, a partner of Memorial Hospital at Gulfport, located in Mississippi, for four years. She also has experience as the CEO of two long-term acute care hospitals in the Boston area. Hester began her career with Encompass Health working in various accounting and leadership roles at the Encompass Health Home Office in Birmingham, Alabama, from 2005-2012.
“Amber brings many years of experience and demonstrated success to Rehabilitation Hospital of Atlanta,” said Ronnie Wagley, president of Encompass Health’s South Atlantic region. “Her expertise in strategic operations, while prioritizing patient care, will be a tremendous asset to the hospital and the patients we serve.”
Hester holds a master’s degree in business administration with an accounting concentration and a bachelor’s degree in accounting.
Rehabilitation Hospital of Atlanta opened to patients in 2024.