Van Matre Encompass Health Rehabilitation Institute

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

Congratulations to the brain injury team for successfully completing hospital recertification with The Joint Commission. This achievement strengthens our Disease-Specific Care program at Van Matre Encompass Health Rehabilitation Institute and reflects our continued commitment to excellence.

The Joint Commission is the nation’s oldest and largest standards-setting and accrediting body in health care. Joint Commission standards are the basis of an objective evaluation process that can help health care organizations measure, assess and improve performance. The standards focus on important patient care and organizational functions that are essential to providing safe, high-quality care.

We’re grateful to everyone who made this possible.

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

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.

09/10/2025

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.

09/05/2025

Stan never anticipated he would be in a rehabilitation hospital and was unaware of the rehabilitation process. He came to Van Matre to get stronger before brain surgery. While here, Stan worked with physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy to prepare for surgery and establish alternative ways to communicate.

Stan returned post-surgery to continue his recovery and made great progress practicing daily tasks during his therapy to prepare him to return home. Some of those activities included cooking, gardening, caring for pets and even chipping golf balls again! His determination and progress inspire us all.

Stan called our team “consistent and devoted,” and we couldn’t be prouder of his success. Way to go, Stan!

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.

08/26/2025

After a serious car accident and spinal surgery, Michael was admitted to our Kissimmee, Florida rehabilitation hospital. When he arrived, he needed assistance just to move and complete daily tasks.

As a devoted husband and father, his motivation to regain his independence was unwavering. Through hard work, determination and the support of his care team, Michael has made incredible progress.

He’s now completing daily activities with minimal assistance and continues to improve his mobility every day.

Inpatient rehabilitation can be life-changing — Michael is proof. We’re so proud of you, Michael. Thank you for letting us be part of your recovery.

08/25/2025

In recognition of Health Unit Coordinator Day, we recently celebrated the incredible health unit coordinators at Van Matre Encompass Health Rehabilitation Institute. These dedicated professionals help keep our hospital running smoothly by managing information, coordinating patient care activities and ensuring clear communication between staff and patients.

We are truly grateful for all that you do. Thank you for being an essential part of our team!

08/22/2025

After an illness or injury, every patient’s goal is different. For 30-year-old Casie Henrikson, hers was to walk again. More specifically, she wanted to be able to walk down the aisle at her best friend’s wedding.

“I didn’t want to limp, experience pain while walking or have people wondering what happened to me. I wanted the attention to be on the bride,” she said.

Learn how Casie achieved her recovery goal and so much more at our rehabilitation hospital in Anderson, South Carolina.

As a therapist, Casie Henrikson spent her time advocating for children with autism and their families. The 30-year-old connected them with resources that could improve their lives and overall health.

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.

08/20/2025

Happy Health Unit Coordinator Day to our incredible team at Van Matre Encompass Health Rehabilitation Institute! 🎉

Our health unit coordinators play a vital role in keeping the hospital running smoothly by managing information, coordinating patient care activities and facilitating communication between staff and patients.

We’re so grateful for all that you do! Thank you for your dedication and the positive impact you make every day!

08/19/2025

Congratulations to Lindsey for receiving the Outstanding Employee Achievement Award for the second quarter! 🎉

Lindsey is a Certified Rehabilitation Registered Nurse and has been part of the Van Matre Encompass Health Rehabilitation Institute team for three years. She also serves as co-chair of the Nurses Practice Council, helping to elevate nursing excellence across our hospital.

We’re grateful for your dedication and leadership, Lindsey!

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.

08/07/2025

Your furry friend does more than bring joy; they can also benefit your heart. Whether it’s getting in a brisk walk with your furry friend or just having a companion, pets can encourage movement and reduce stress. Learn how your pet may be boosting your heart health.

Research shows that owning a pet has positive health benefits

07/31/2025

Have you noticed the foods you once enjoyed don’t quite taste the same? As you get older, your taste buds change for many reasons — some natural, others linked to health conditions or medications. Without the right guidance, these changes can affect your appetite and overall well-being. A registered dietitian shares tips on how to keep your meals tasty as well as healthy as you age.

Why Does Your Sense of Taste Change as You Age? Find out how aging, the olfactory system and other factors can affect taste.

07/24/2025

Did you know that playing board games could improve brain health and help prevent dementia in older adults? It is a great way to increase working memory and cognitive function as you age. So grab a partner and pick your favorite game. Whether it’s Chess, Scrabble or Checkers, let us know your favorite in the comments.

Games of your youth may be valuable as you age. Play these brain games to prevent dementia and exercise the mind.

07/17/2025

After a life-changing diagnosis, it may be difficult to think of all the questions to ask your physician. You may be wondering about your next steps and where to go if you need additional medical care. Ask your doctor these four important questions to help you understand your care and make an informed decision.

After a serious illness or injury, your doctor may recommend post-acute care. Understand the settings, so you can advocate for your care.