April 23, 2026 — Dale Alward has been appointed chief executive officer of UVA Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital. The 60-bed inpatient rehabilitation hospital is located at 515 Ray C. Hunt Drive in Charlottesville, Virginia, and is a joint venture between UVA Health and Encompass Health. With more than 40 years of health care experience, Alward will oversee all hospital operations.
“I look forward to leading a very dedicated and expert team at UVA Encompass Health,” Alward said. “This hospital provides impactful rehabilitative care following a life-changing event, and we're here to serve those who come to us in great need. We will continue to prioritize high-quality, patient-centered care so our patients can return to what matters most.”
Alward most recently served as executive vice president and chief operating officer at AVEM Health Partners. In this role, Alward led efforts to redesign the medical staff model, which effectively drove employment and produced engaged teams and high-quality care. He has deep expertise in health care finance, growth and expansion, and physician relations. Alward has also served as chief executive officer for multiple hospitals within large, national health systems. Additionally, he served for more than 23 years in the United States Air Force Medical Service as a health care administrator.
“Dale is a seasoned health care executive who brings demonstrated success from a number of areas,” said Abe Sims, president of Encompass Health's MidAtlantic region. “Most notably, he is a forward-thinking leader who can create and lead dynamic teams. He will have great success at UVA Encompass Health.”
Alward earned a master's degree in health administration from Virginia Commonwealth University and a master's degree in public administration from Troy University. He has twice been named to Becker's Hospital Review's “60 Rural Hospital CEOs to Know.” He is a fellow with the American College of Healthcare Executives and member of the Military Officers Association of America. Alward also contributes significantly to his community through organizations such as the American Heart Association, YMCA and United Way.
UVA Encompass Health opened to patients in 1998. The hospital is currently undergoing renovations to expand bed capacity. By early 2027, UVA Encompass Health plans to have 20 additional patient beds, bringing the total bed count to 60. Recently, the hospital also expanded the therapy gym to create a larger space with state-of-the art technology.