Encompass Health Sarasota raises awareness on the importance of inpatient rehabilitation

Sept. 15, 2026 – Associate Administrator Matt Shouse and Medical Director Dr. Alexander DeJesus of Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Sarasota visited ABC 7 for National Rehabilitation Awareness Week. The two spoke about services offered at the hospital and the significant role inpatient rehabilitation can play in restoring independence following a major illness or injury.

During the interview, DeJesus highlighted the hospital's integrated approach to rehabilitation, noting that patients have access to physicians, specialists and therapy services in one setting.

"I tell my patients, you have the best of both worlds," DeJesus said. "Comprehensive medical care with therapies all under one roof.”

In addition to inpatient rehabilitation services, the hospital continues to support patients after discharge. Through events such as patient reunions and support groups, the care teams at Encompass Health Sarasota ensure the road to recovery is filled with encouragement.

“We have a number of support groups that not only help the patients that are within the walls of our hospital, but that continuum happens after they leave our walls,” Shouse said. “We have a cardiac support group, amputee support group, stroke support group, multiple sclerosis support group, and we recently added a veterans support group. We have a variety of support groups not only for the patients but for their families and loved ones.”

DeJesus also discussed how physicians, therapists and nurses work together to create individualized treatment plans focused on each patient’s unique recovery goals.

"There is tremendous communication on a daily basis and team meetings on a weekly basis," DeJesus said. "The process is continuously fine-tuned to help advance our patients in a relatively short amount of time."

The hospital's care teams work toward helping patients return to the activities and relationships that matter most to them.

"When they come in, they are not mobile,” DeJesus said. “They are in a lot of pain and may be cognitively challenged. When they leave, our goal is to get them back on their feet and functional so they can be with their loved ones."

The hospital holds Joint Commission Disease-Specific Care Certifications in Stroke Rehabilitation, Spinal Cord Rehabilitation and Hip Fracture Rehabilitation, recognizing its expertise in treating patients recovering from illness and injury. The hospital is also accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF), an independent accrediting organization that evaluates rehabilitation programs for quality, value and optimal patient outcomes.