Michelle Fitzgerald

Michelle Fitzgerald has been named CEO of the future Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Cape Coral. The 40-bed inpatient rehabilitation hospital, which is under construction at 1730 Northeast Pine Island Road, is expected to begin caring for patients in May 2022.

Fitzgerald, who assumed the position on Jan. 3, will be responsible for overseeing the future hospital’s day-to-day operations as well as patient care and quality. The hospital will provide 24-hour nursing care and physical, occupational and speech therapies to patients recovering from major illnesses and injuries including stroke, brain injury, spinal cord injury, amputation and complex orthopedic conditions.

“Michelle is a highly accomplished leader with extensive experience in acute care, inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation, physician office and ambulatory clinic settings, and we are honored she has accepted the role as CEO of the future Encompass Health hospital in Cape Coral,” said Lori Bedard, president of Encompass Health’s Southeast region. “She has excelled in numerous leadership roles in a rapidly changing healthcare environment with a focus on patient care and outcomes, compliance, financial integrity and innovation. She has a proven ability with enhancing team performance and productivity, and I am confident in Michelle’s vision for the hospital.”

Fitzgerald most recently served as CEO at Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital in York, Pennsylvania, for nearly three years. In this role, she led efforts to exceed key clinical outcomes, reduce staff turnover, increase employee engagement, and served as the COVID-19 incident commander. Prior to joining Encompass Health, Fitzgerald served in numerous leadership roles at UMASS Memorial Health Alliance Hospital for more than 24 years.

A licensed physical therapist with almost three decades of healthcare and leadership experience, Fitzgerald completed her bachelor’s degree in physical therapy at Simmons College in Boston and her master’s degree in healthcare administration at Worcester State College. She is certified in Yellow Belt LEAN management and by FEMA in National Incident Management System for Health Care.

As a national leader in integrated healthcare services, Encompass Health offers both facility‒based and home‒based patient care through its network of inpatient rehabilitation hospitals, home health agencies and hospice agencies. With a national footprint that includes 145 hospitals, 249 home health locations, and 95 hospice locations in 42 states and Puerto Rico, the company provides high‒quality, cost-effective integrated healthcare.

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