May 15, 2026 — Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of St. Augustine is expanding its partnership with the Career Academies of St. Johns, giving local students hands-on exposure to careers in healthcare.
“It really is about building the future in St. Augustine,” said Tom Laughlin, CEO of Encompass Health St. Augustine.
Laughlin, who was recently named Individual Business Partner of the Year for his leadership in supporting career development for students across St. Johns County, has seen the value for both the hospital and the students.
“This partnership has been mutually beneficial,” Laughlin said. “Students bring energy and excitement to the hospital as they learn more about the medical field and inpatient rehabilitation. Our teams find fulfillment in building the future in St. Augustine.”
Each year, students in the Career Academies are interviewed about their interests, and those who express an interest in healthcare are paired with Encompass Health St. Augustine. Past participants have explored potential careers in nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy and other clinical fields.
Through the collaboration, students gain real-world experience that helps them make informed decisions about future career paths. Members of Encompass Health St. Augustine offer observation hours, introduce students to the field of medicine and visit Beachside High School in St. John's county for classroom education.
“The most impactful thing is having the students apply their book learning to the real world,” Laughlin said. “For instance, last year, the students had just learned about kidney function and when they talked with our dialysis nurse manager, they were so fascinated with the real-world application of what they had just learned.”
The partnership continues to grow. Beginning next year, the hospital will offer field experiences, allowing small groups of students to tour the facility, observe clinical teams in action and learn more about the day-to-day operations of an inpatient rehabilitation hospital.
As the partnership enters its third year, Laughlin plans to deepen the hospital's involvement by increasing classroom engagement and expanding observation opportunities for students eager to explore healthcare careers.