April 30, 2025 - Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Northern Virginia CEO Vidhya Kannan presented at the Becker’s Healthcare 15th Annual Meeting in Chicago on April 29. Kannan participated in a 40-minute panel presentation on “Cultivating Executive Talent: Leadership Excellence in Healthcare.”
Kannan’s portion of the presentation focused on identifying potential talents, engaging the workforce on lateral and vertical growth opportunities, transforming clinicians into operational leaders with individualized development plans and work-life integration strategies. The second part of Kannan’s presentation gave insight into leadership excellence.
“Leadership excellence to me is holding ourselves to higher standards while delivering care,” said Kannan. “I look for flexibility and resilience in leaders, along with a service-oriented mindset. I am also focused on continuing to grow as a person and a professional alongside our team members so we can better serve our community.”
Kannan also shared with attendees why cultivating executive talent is specifically important in health care.
“With the growing shortage of health care providers, the need for health care providers to become leaders is crucial to retain the health care workforce,” added Kannan. “Most clinical leaders haven’t had formal training on mitigating challenges outside of direct patient care, so equipping them with resources will contribute to better outcomes.”
This was Kannan’s first time presenting at a Becker’s Healthcare conference. She assumed the CEO role at Encompass Health Northern Virginia in 2024. Prior to arriving at Encompass Health Northern Virginia, she served as CEO at Encompass Health Mesa in Arizona. Kannan earned a Doctor of Physical Therapy from Shenandoah University.