University of Iowa Health Network Rehabilitation Hospital

10/01/2025

In September 2024, Liberty Hill, Texas resident Joe Pearson started his year-long work assignment in Italy. However, eight months into his job, he started experiencing odd symptoms.

“I can see them [my legs], but I can’t feel them,” Pearson told the Austin American-Statesman newspaper.

Pearson was diagnosed with Guillain Barre syndrome, a rare condition in which the immune system attacks the nerves causing weakness, numbness and even paralysis. Learn how our team at our Round Rock, Texas rehabilitation hospital not only worked to get him back closer to his home and family but also to get him the care he needed to regain his independence. When he arrived at our hospital, he couldn’t even sit up on his own. By the time he left, he was able to transfer from a bed to his wheelchair and was even able to stand using the parallel bars.

Guillain-Barre syndrome following a virus can damage nerves. Intense physical therapy needed to rebuild connections.

09/30/2025

Encompass Health has been named “America’s Most Awarded Leader in Inpatient Rehabilitation” by Newsweek and Statista for the sixth consecutive year. The 2025 America’s Best Physical Rehabilitation Centers list includes a record-breaking 66 Encompass Health hospitals across 27 states — the most hospitals included on the list for one provider.

“Encompass Health’s consistent presence on this prestigious list, with more hospitals included annually since its inception than any other provider, exemplifies our long-standing commitment to high-quality patient care and excellent outcomes,” said Encompass Health President and CEO Mark Tarr. “Our decades of experience, unparalleled clinical expertise and deep commitment to personalized care make us the trusted choice for inpatient rehabilitation. We look forward to continuing to strengthen that trust with our patients, partners and communities.”

https://ehc.rehab/48FxT30

09/24/2025

Sometimes, interpreting a doctor’s medical jargon can feel like trying to understand a foreign language. However, understanding your medical care and diagnosis is essential. How can you cut through the medical jargon and better understand your care and condition? Follow these tactics to get the most out of your doctor visits.

09/22/2025

Today is the first of fall, and it’s also National Fall Prevention Day. We want to use this time to draw attention to the danger of falls, especially in older adults. Falls are a leading cause of hospitalization and even death in older adults. There are preventative measures you can take, though, to reduce your risk of a fall. One of our physical therapists is sharing three simple exercises to improve balance and reduce your risk of a dangerous fall.

09/19/2025

As we wrap up National Rehabilitation Week, we want to celebrate our patients and our expert clinicians who help them return to the activities they love after a life-changing illness or injury. That’s the power of inpatient rehabilitation. From around the country, here are just a few of the successes and milestones we celebrated this week. National Rehabilitation Awareness week is just one week out of the year, but successes like these occur daily in our rehabilitation hospitals.

09/18/2025

Janice England had just moved from Michigan to Cleveland, Tennessee, when she learned that she would have to have her leg amputated. Janice has arteriosclerosis, a vascular disease that can interrupt blood flow to parts of the body.

After her surgery, her doctors told her she would need inpatient rehabilitation to recover and return to her daily activities. Being new to the area, she had no idea where to go. That’s when her husband Bod and their children stepped in to find Janice the best care possible.

“I was in the hospital, so my family researched it. They got online and talked to people,” she recalled. “They came to the conclusion that Encompass Health was the best place to go, and they were absolutely correct.”

At Encompass Health, Janice was able to get the medical care she required after her amputation, as well as intensive therapy to help her return home and adapt to her new condition and settle into her new community.

09/17/2025

In one week, Joseph Rowland went from being active and independent to becoming almost completely paralyzed. “I could hardly wiggle my little finger,” he said. Joe was diagnosed with Guillain Barré, a rare neurological condition that can cause sudden paralysis.

He needed intensive therapy to regain some movement, so he could live on his own again. He chose Encompass Health for inpatient rehabilitation, where he would receive three hours of therapy a day, five days a week.

In one week, he went from being unable to sit up or even feed himself, to gradually regaining movement in his hands and legs, enough so that by discharge, he could maneuver himself in a wheelchair and even walk some with a walker — both of which he couldn’t have imagined when he arrived at Encompass Health.

09/16/2025

Our team at Iowa Health Network Rehabilitation, a venture with Encompass Health, wants to congratulate Holly Schneider on her graduation from North Central College with a master’s degree in occupational therapy.

Through hard work and perseverance, Holly earned her occupational therapy license from the state of Iowa and has been promoted to occupational therapist. She was also honored with the Student Leadership Award, recognizing her outstanding leadership abilities.

Holly has been a valued member of Encompass for three years as an occupational therapy assistant. We are so proud of you, Holly — congratulations!

09/16/2025

As a football and track coach at Heritage High School in Catoosa County, Georgia, David Gibson was accustomed to being on his feet. After serious complications from a back surgery, though, he was unsure if he would ever walk again.

“I was supposed to be in outpatient,” he recalled. “Next thing I knew, I woke up and couldn’t feel my legs.”

His doctors referred him to Encompass Health for inpatient rehabilitation. David said he’d almost lost hope, but then he found himself in the therapy gym standing and taking his first steps again. After about a month of intensive therapy at our rehabilitation hospital, David was walking with assistance. Today, nearly a year after his surgery, he’s back on the sidelines, doing what he loves.

09/15/2025

Meet Dee Jenkins!
At 58, Dee faced a life-altering challenge, a hemorrhagic stroke that led to limited mobility and an extended hospital stay in the ICU. Once her conditions stabilized, she came to the University of Iowa Health Rehabilitation Network for inpatient rehabilitation.

With the unwavering support of her care team and husband, Kyle, she overcame many challenges. At discharge, Dee could perform self-care tasks and walked out of the hospital with the assistance of a cane.

“We’re very thankful that we chose Iowa Health Network Rehabilitation Hospital, a joint venture with Encompass Health instead of a rehabilitation hospital closer to home,” Dee said. “It was the best decision we made.”

Thank you for trusting us with your recovery, Dee!

09/15/2025

As president and CEO of Encompass Health, Mark Tarr understands the power of inpatient rehabilitation and the role it plays in transforming our patients’ lives after a serious injury or illness. However, as we kickoff National Rehabilitation Awareness Week, the best way to tell the story and raise awareness to what inpatient rehabilitation can do, is to hear from our patients. Join us the remainder of this week as we meet some of our former patients — one recovering from a spinal cord injury, one from amputation and another from Guillain Barré — and here from them as they describe how rehabilitation helped them get back to their lives and what matters most to them.

09/12/2025

After being hospitalized for orthopedic injuries, Mary Geyer and Betty Wade were both referred to Iowa Health Network Rehabilitation Hospital, a venture with Encompass Health, to help them continue you in their recovery and get the medical care and intensive therapy they needed to return home.

While they anticipated their stay at our rehabilitation hospital would be challenging, they also knew it would be beneficial in helping them reach their goal of returning home safely. What they didn’t expect was to form a lifelong friendship.

Before leaving the hospital, Mary and Betty exchanged contact information and made plans to stay in touch and continue supporting one another.

Their story is a reminder that healing happens in many ways—and sometimes, it brings people together in the most meaningful ways.

09/10/2025

Staying social as you age can improve your health both physically and mentally. However, as you get older, sometimes it's not as easy as it once was.
You no longer have the day-to-day routine that working once brought, and family and friends may have moved away or passed on, leaving you feeling lonely and isolated.
As an older adult, you don't have to go it alone.

09/04/2025

Coping with a life-changing diagnosis can stir up a whirlwind of emotions. You don’t have to navigate this journey alone. It is possible to manage these emotions and find the right support to live a thriving and fulfilling life. Learn how to manage your emotional well-being and find strength and joy beyond the diagnosis.

Experiencing a life-changing diagnosis can impact your well-being. Explore holistic strategies for coping, recovering, and finding hope through post-acute care.

09/02/2025

Alvin came to our Kingsport, Tennessee rehabilitation hospital recovering from a spinal cord injury. He was determined to walk again. Through intensive therapy and the support of his wife, Alvin made remarkable progress. He recently returned to Encompass Health, where he and his wife walked out together during a special Code Champion celebration.
We’re so proud of you, Alvin!

08/28/2025

Today we celebrated the grand opening of our first hospital in Connecticut. Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Danbury will begin seeing patients next month. This 40-bed rehabilitation hospital will provide rehabilitative care to those recovering from strokes, brain and spinal cord injuries, amputations and more.

With private rooms, advanced therapy technologies and a compassionate team of experts, we look forward to meeting the rehabilitation needs of the Danbury community.

08/22/2025

Family training is an essential part care during recovery at our hospital. It helps patients and caregivers feel more confident and comfortable with mobility and transfers while reducing the risk of injury.

Kay Ackerson was admitted to the University of Iowa Rehabilitation Hospital following several hospitalizations after surgery. During her most recent stay, Kay and her husband, Kent, focused on transfer training to ensure they were both safe and confident with the movements needed for her to return home, especially with restrictions on Kay’s left arm.
\With encouragement from her care team, Kay and Kent practiced car transfers together, allowing them to feel prepared and secure before discharge.

“The care from the staff emotionally and physically is excellent. You guys are a five-star hospital,” she said of the care she received.

08/21/2025

Did you know 25% of U.S. adults live with chronic pain? For many, it’s more than discomfort — it’s a daily challenge that affects independence and quality of life. Learn how chronic pain management can help improve your overall well-being.

Chronic pain management can be complicated, but there are non-medicinal options out there. Learn how education and physical therapy can help.

08/19/2025

Join Us for a Virtual RN Hiring Event!

University of Iowa Health Network Rehabilitation Hospital, a venture with Encompass Health, is hosting a virtual hiring event for registered nurses on Aug. 26.

🕘 Morning Session: 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
🕐 Afternoon Session: 1 – 4 p.m.

Meet our leadership team and future colleagues, and explore rewarding career opportunities with a growing industry leader in rehabilitation.

👉 RSVP now: https://ehc.rehab/47ysOsL

08/18/2025

Congratulations to brothers Aaron and Caleb Neel on receiving our Outstanding Employee Achievement Award! Their dedication to ensuring our patients feel comfortable and cared for never goes unnoticed. Thank you both for consistently making a positive impact and bringing compassion to everything you do. We’re proud to have you on our team!

08/15/2025

Kevin Boyd was admitted to the University of Iowa Health Network Rehabilitation Hospital, a venture with Encompass Health, following a complex hospitalization after a brain injury. When Kevin arrived, he was unable to walk without assistance. Today, he’s walking 150 feet independently and discharging home with his wife.

Throughout his recovery, Kevin stayed motivated and upbeat, sharing that laughter played a big role in his healing. We’re so proud of your progress, Kevin, and we look forward to welcoming you back as a visitor!

08/14/2025

Exercise after a stroke has a number of benefits. It can increase strength, mobility and endurance, while boosting your confidence and independence. Learn how exercise could support your recovery and how to get started.

After recovering from a stroke, exercise plays a vital role in continued function and independence. Learn more about the benefits and types of exercises that help most.

08/13/2025

At just 39 years old, Thong Nguyen had a stroke after a sudden onset of a headache. His family quickly recognized something was wrong and called 911. After a lengthy hospital stay, Thong was admitted to University of Iowa Health Network Rehabilitation Hospital, a joint venture with Encompass Health, to begin his stroke recovery. With determination and support from his care team, Thong made remarkable progress. He shared his gratitude for everyone who helped him along the way. Today, we celebrate his incredible achievement: returning home.

Congratulations, Thong! Your strength inspires us all.

08/12/2025

We're Hiring!

University of Iowa Health Network Rehabilitation Hospital, a joint venture with Encompass Health, is looking for compassionate professionals to join our team. Be part of a heartwarming journey of recovery for patients and their families.

💼 Explore career opportunities: https://ehc.rehab/4mdf2QM