Leanne Salazar has been appointed as CEO of Encompass Health Sumter County.
May 21, 2025 - Leanne Salazar has been appointed as chief executive officer of Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Central Florida - Sumter County. The hospital, under construction at 5550 Meggison Road in The Villages, Florida, is a 50-bed inpatient rehabilitation hospital. The hospital is expected to open to patients in September and will serve as a satellite campus of Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Ocala.
“I am eager to begin leading the Encompass Health Sumter County team,” said Salazar. “Inpatient rehabilitation services are needed in this area, and we look forward to opening our doors to provide high-quality, compassionate care to patients following a life-changing illness or injury.”
Salazar started with Encompass Health in 2024 as CEO of Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Cape Coral. In her tenure, she improved patient experience and optimized hospital performance. Prior to Encompass Health, Salazar, an advanced practice registered nurse, worked for HCA Healthcare as a division chief nursing executive. She oversaw nursing operations for 17 acute care hospitals and 15 freestanding emergency departments.
“Leanne is a seasoned health care executive with a proven track record of organizational excellence,” said Lori Bedard, president of Encompass Health’s Southeast region. “She is skilled in meeting rigorous health care standards, while keeping patient care as the top priority. Leanne will successfully lead this new hospital in being the trusted rehabilitation choice for The Villages and surrounding areas.”
Salazar holds a doctorate in nursing practice-executive leadership from the University of Phoenix. She also earned a master’s degree in nursing from Frontier Nursing University and a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Phoenix.
Encompass Health Sumter County is one of five hospitals Encompass Health is opening in Florida in 2025.