FLORENCE, S.C., July 5, 2022 – Zach Kirby has been appointed as chief executive officer of Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Florence. In his position as CEO, Kirby oversees all day-to-day operations, as well as patient care and quality, at the 88-bed inpatient rehabilitation hospital located at 900 East Cheves Street. He assumed the position on June 6, 2022.

“Zach brings twelve years of clinical and non-clinical executive leadership experience from various healthcare settings. As a progressive leader, I know he will make tremendous contributions to Encompass Health of Florence,” said Ronnie Wagley, President of Encompass Health’s South Atlantic Region. “Zach shares our goals of promoting a positive employee culture and a welcoming environment for patients, and I am confident the hospital team will continue to positively impact the community of Florence under his leadership.”

Kirby began his career as a physical therapist and program coordinator at East Alabama Medical Center. In this role, he oversaw staff and students' training, placement, and management. He also developed and coordinated services for patients receiving cancer treatment. Kirby then became director of rehabilitation services in Durham, North Carolina, for four years managing all daily operations of inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation within the post-acute care center. Following this role, Kirby joined Methodist LeBonheur Healthcare in Memphis, Tennessee, where he served as director of rehabilitative services, executive champion of environmental services, and senior director of professional and support services.  In this role, he led new business development plans that provided capital growth by $12M and positive oversight that resulted in all departments scoring at the top quartile in associate loyalty and engagement. Kirby then joined Encompass Health as associate administrator at Encompass Health Lakeshore Rehabilitation Hospital in Birmingham, Alabama, where he managed daily operations and the hospital budget and improved the hospital’s position in company clinical ratings. While serving in this role at Encompass Health, Kirby also engaged in the Developing Future CEO Program and exceeded all performance goals.

A licensed physical therapist, Kirby completed his bachelor’s degree in exercise science from Auburn University, his master’s degree in healthcare administration from the University of North Carolina, and a doctorate in physical therapy from the University of South Alabama. He is a fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives and the Physical Therapy Association.