July 3, 2026 – Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Central Florida hosted its inaugural Coffee and Camaraderie event, bringing local veterans together for coffee, breakfast and information about available community resources. The event also provided veterans an opportunity to connect with one another.
“The event helped local veterans understand the resources available to them,” said Steven Jones, rehabilitation liaison at Encompass Health Central Florida and event organizer. “I also believe the event helped them have some understanding of the community they are in, their fellow veterans who support each other, along with the community showing their support.”
Jones, a veteran, said he was especially encouraged by the level of support demonstrated by attendees and community partners.
“One thing that stood out was how many people showed up to support veterans and how much this local community cares,” Jones said. “As a veteran myself, it really helped me understand just what it means to stand behind these heroes and show our support of the men and women who worked so hard and offered so much to their community.”
Community partners participating in the event included Veterans Helping Veterans, Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion, several senior veteran support organizations and home health and hospice organizations. Encompass Health Central Florida also honored Howard Mautner, a 102-year-old World War II Army Air Corps veteran and former patient, at the event.
Encompass Health Central Florida supports the veteran community beyond the high-quality inpatient rehabilitation care it provides. Through partnerships with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and TRICARE, the hospital’s multidisciplinary team delivers specialized rehabilitation care and outcome-focused treatment for veterans recovering after life-altering medical events.
