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Welcome to Encompass Health Sarasota

We know that choosing where to receive care after a life-changing illness or injury is an important decision for you and your loved ones. At Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Sarasota, we are committed to helping you get back to what matters most. Located in Sarasota, we are a leading provider of inpatient rehabilitation for stroke, brain injury, hip fracture and other complex neurological and orthopedic conditions.

When you choose Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Sarasota for your rehabilitation, you receive compassionate care from an expert team of physical, occupational and speech therapists; physicians; nurses; dietitians; pharmacists; and case managers who work together to create a plan to help you meet your unique goals.

At our hospital you will receive:

  • Three hours of therapy, five days per week
  • 24/7 nursing care, including nurses who specialize in rehabilitation
  • Frequent visits from a physician*

*We provide access to independent physicians.

Learn what to expect during inpatient rehabilitation

Better Rehabilitation Starts Here

Each patient’s recovery is different. At Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Sarasota, our expert clinicians combine the latest technologies, real-world simulations and advanced therapies into a treatment plan that helps you achieve what’s important to you. Our specialties include but are not limited to:

 

 

Superior Amenities at Our Hospitals

116 Beds

Televisions

Telephones

Free WiFi

Nonsmoking

Courtyard

Cafeteria

Interpreter services

Spanish translators available

Tours available

Support groups

Volunteers

Student observation hours

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What to Expect

Take a look at what happens during a stay at our hospital

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Get in Touch With Us

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Join Our Team

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Careers

We Proudly Display Our Gold Seal of Approval™

Stroke Rehabilitation

Our hospital has earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval® for Disease-Specific Care Certification in stroke rehabilitation.

Hip Fracture Rehabilitation

Our hospital has earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval® for Disease-Specific Care Certification in hip fracture rehabilitation.

Spinal Cord Rehabilitation

Our hospital has earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval® for Disease-Specific Care Certification in spinal cord.

Proud Members of Manatee Chamber of Commerce

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Professionally Accredited

Our hospital complies with local, state and federal regulations. We are accredited by The Joint Commission, a leader in determining quality and safety standards for healthcare delivery, and the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF).

Leadership and Staff

Marcus Braz
Marcus Braz

Chief Executive Officer

Marcus joined Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Sarasota in 2010.

Marcus joined Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Sarasota in 2010. He is responsible for the hospital's day-to-day operations. Prior to his time at Encompass Health Sarasota, Marcus served in leadership roles at Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Sunrise and several leadership roles at St. Lucie Medical Center on the east coast of Florida for 14 years. Marcus completed his undergraduate studies at Stonehill College in Massachusetts, received his master's degree at Arcadia University as well as a Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Temple University.

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Alexander DeJesus M.D.
Alexander DeJesus, M.D.

Medical Director

Dr. DeJesus is medical director and chief medical officer at Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Sarasota.

Dr. DeJesus is medical director and chief medical officer at Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Sarasota. A graduate of Harvard University, Dr. DeJesus completed his medical studies at Rutgers University Medical School. He went on to perform two internships in surgery at Staten Island Hospital in New York. Additionally, Dr. DeJesus completed his residency in physical medicine and rehabilitation at New York University’s Rusk Institute. He is certified by the American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and twice has been awarded Medical Director of the Year by Encompass Health.

Dr. DeJesus is an independent private practice physician.

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Barbara Bierut
Barbara Bierut

Controller

Barb has more than 25 years of accounting leadership experience.

Barb has more than 25 years of accounting leadership experience. She earned her bachelor's degree in accounting from State University of New York at Buffalo, a master's degree in accounting from Nova Southeastern University and holds an active Florida CPA license. Barb is a member of the Florida Institute of Certified Public Accountants.

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Stephanie Chen
STEPHANIE CHEN, MBA, SHRM-CP

Human Resources Director

Stephanie joined Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Sarasota in April 2023.

Stephanie joined Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Sarasota in April 2023. She has been in the field of human resources management for nearly 10 years and has worked in various industries including healthcare, manufacturing and retail. Stephanie earned her master’s degree in business administration and bachelor’s degree in business management from the University of South Florida. She also holds a professional certification from the Society of Human Resources Management.

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Peggy Conboy
PEGGY CONBOY

Director of Case Management

Peggy is a graduate of Penn State University with a bachelor's degree in individual and family studies.

A graduate of Penn State University, with a bachelor's degree in individual and family studies, Peggy signed up for a temp service when she moved to Sarasota. Her first assignment was The Rehab Institute of Sarasota, and she's been there ever since. Peggy has more than 30 years' experience as a case manager and has survived many crisis and changes in the health care system. Case management is her passion, and she is honored to be able to serve in the position of director of case management.

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Mage Devera
Magelie Devera

Chief Nursing Officer

Mage brings more than 26 years of experience in healthcare to Encompass Health Sarasota.

Mage is a certified medical-surgical registered nurse with more than 26 years of experience in healthcare including acute care, outpatient settings and academic. Prior to joining Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Sarasota Mage served in leadership roles at acute care hospitals in Georgia and Florida. Mage completed her undergraduate studies at Lyceum Northwestern University and received her master’s degree at La Salette University.

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Kathleen Hnat
Kathleen Hnat, RPh, CPh

Director of Pharmacy

Kathleen has more than 25 years of pharmacy management experience.

Kathleen has more than 25 years of pharmacy management experience. She earned her pharmacy degree from Massachusetts College of Pharmacy in Boston, MA, and consultant license while working in the long-term care Industry. Kathleen has served in various leadership roles in the healthcare industry including research, long- term care, hospice, retail and education. Kathleen continues to serve in the community as a senior care advocate and educator.

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Roseann Kidwell
Roseann Kidwell

Health Information Services Management Director

Roseann has been employed at Encompass Health, formerly HealthSouth, since 2011.

Roseann has been employed at Encompass Health, formerly HealthSouth, since 2011. She has more than 20 years of Health Information experience. Roseann graduated with two degrees, one in Health Information Management, and one in Health Informatics from St. Petersburg College. Roseann is a member of the American Health Information Management Association.

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Ginger Mace
Ginger Mace

Business Development Director

Ginger has more than 30 years of healthcare marketing experience.

Ginger has more than 30 years of healthcare marketing experience. Prior to joining the Encompass Health team, she served as the vice president of marketing for the HCA West Florida Division. In her VP role, she was responsible for marketing and public relations for the 16 hospitals in the West Florida Division and the call center in Ft. Myers. During her tenure with HCA, she consistently grew marketshare and led the development of the HCA West Florida brand identity. She created numerous successful marketing campaigns, including the emergency room billboard wait time campaign. She is a native Floridian and a graduate of Eckerd College.

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Pat McCabe
Patrick McCabe

Facilities Management Director

Pat has been employed by Encompass Health for more than 24 years.

Pat has been employed by Encompass Health for more than 24 years. Originally, from London Ontario Canada, Pat brings more than 24 years of healthcare experience with 20 years in a management role. Pat graduated from Fanshawe College in London Ontario Canada with a diploma in HVAC.

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Melissa Shepherd
Melissa Shepherd

Director of Quality & Risk

Melissa is a Sarasota native with 20 years of healthcare and leadership experience in the Sarasota area.

Melissa is a Sarasota native with 20 years of healthcare and leadership experience in the Sarasota area. She received her bachelor's degree from Chamberlain University College of Nursing. Melissa has been with Encompass Health since 2019, serving in previous roles as an infection control preventionist and wound care coordinator. She is a wound care certified nurse and a leader, committed to quality outcomes and positive patient experiences.

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Matt Shouse
Matt Shouse

Director of Therapy Operations

Matt joined Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Sarasota as the director of therapy operations in 2015.

Matt is a licensed physical therapist who joined Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Sarasota as the director of therapy operations in 2015. Prior to joining Encompass Health, he began as a staff therapist and was promoted to rehabilitation supervisor at St. Lucie Medical Center, where he was employed for 15 years. Matt has an bachelor's degree in food and nutrition from Florida State University and a master's degree in physical therapy from the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences. Matt is a member of The American Physical Therapy Association and is an Orthopaedic Certified Specialist in Physical Therapy. Matt is married to Gina and has two sons, Kaeden and Caleb.

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