August 22, 2025 – Molly Arau has been appointed as chief executive officer of Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of St. Petersburg. The 50-bed inpatient rehabilitation hospital, under construction at 1000 Tyrone Blvd. North, is expected to open to patients in October 2025.
“I care deeply about providing high-quality care for patients recovering from a life-changing illness or injury,” said Arau. “It is an honor to bring the level of care Encompass Health is known for to St. Petersburg and the surrounding communities.”
Arau brings more than 10 years of executive health care experience and 30 years of nursing expertise to Encompass Health St. Petersburg. She recently served as CEO of Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Largo. Prior to joining Encompass Health in 2020, Arau served as chief nursing officer at multiple acute care hospitals within various health care systems.
“Molly is a servant leader who is driven to make a patient’s experience the best it can be,” said Lori Bedard, president of Encompass Health’s Southeast region. “She will have great success in building and leading the team at St. Petersburg.”
Arau earned a Master of Business Administration from Capella University and a Master of Science in nursing from Franklin Pierce University.
Encompass Health St. Petersburg is one of five hospitals Encompass Health is opening in Florida in 2025.