Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Toms River

10/24/2025

Congratulations to the Jacksons — middle school sweethearts! Bailey Garrison, now Jackson, and her husband were married in the courtyard of our South Plains Rehabilitation Hospital during Bailey’s stay.

At 26, Bailey had brain surgery to remove part of a tumor, and she required speech, physical and occupational therapy afterwards. While in our care, her team learned that the couple wanted to get married as soon as possible, so they sprang into action to make it happen.

Bailey described the ceremony as “beautiful and perfect.” We were honored to be part of her special day and her rehabilitation. We wish her continued strength and recovery.

10/23/2025

We’re proud to support the American Heart Association and American Stroke Association in its initiative to show that stroke is treatable, beatable and preventable. We are a national supporter of the AHA/ASA's Together to End Stroke initiative, and we’re sharing resources to help survivors regain their independence. Whether you're recovering from a stroke or supporting someone who is, these simple exercise tips can make a meaningful difference in recovery after a stroke.



Learn more: https://ehc.rehab/4nnYntE

10/21/2025

Joe was preparing to return to the classroom for his 30th year of teaching when he had a boogie board accident on a family vacation that changed his life. Joe had to have emergency spinal cord surgery. He was told it was unlikely he would ever walk again.

Determined to help him get back to his job and the activities that mattered most to him prior to the accident, Joe’s wife Michele convinced him to choose our rehabilitation hospital in York, Pennsylvania to receive much needed care and intensive therapy. One of his proudest moments when he was with us came when he was able to leave our hospital for a day to serve as best man at his son’s wedding — a milestone that fueled his recovery even more.

By the end of his stay, Joe walked himself to the car and headed home with his wife by his side. We are incredibly proud of Joe and honored to be part of his recovery.

10/20/2025

In honor of Infection Prevention Week, staff members created visual representations of common germs to help raise awareness about infection risks and promote ways to protect our patients, families and one another. By maintaining a clean environment, practicing hand hygiene and following proper infection control measures, we can help minimize the spread of germs and keep our community safe.

10/17/2025

Meet Joe “Cool Cat” Nadeau! In 2024, Joe had a stroke that made it difficult to live independently and get around on his own. When he finally was able to move his legs, he came to our rehabilitation hospital in Shreveport, Louisiana with the goal of walking again.

With the support of his care team, Joe worked hard in therapy and made incredible progress. When he left our hospital, he was able to stand and walk with the assistance of a walker. Joe was a true inspiration to others during his time with us.

Thank you for trusting us with your recovery, Joe!

10/17/2025

Basma was admitted to Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Toms River after experiencing heart issues. Her main goal was to build strength and endurance following a long hospitalization.

Her therapy team tailored activities to her interests, helping improve her balance, strength and stamina. By discharge, Basma was independent in all her daily tasks and had met all her goals.

She especially enjoyed gardening during therapy, sharing that she can’t garden at home anymore because the deer eat all her flowers.

We’re grateful for the opportunity to help patients like Basma return to the activities they love while incorporating personal interests into their recovery plans.

10/16/2025

At Encompass Health, we specialize in treating each patient’s unique needs. Aphasia, like other communication disorders, can significantly impact an individual’s ability to express themselves and understand others following an illness or injury. Discover these strategies and tips to help your loved one find their voice again.

https://ehc.rehab/476FyVM

10/14/2025

Brayden, 14, came to our Chattanooga, Tennessee rehabilitation hospital after a life-changing injury that required that his right leg to be amputated. When he arrived, he needed to regain his strength and learn how to adapt to his new circumstances.

Despite his condition, Brayden brought determination and a smile to every one of his therapy sessions. By discharge, he could transfer from his bed to his wheelchair and learned how to safely navigate it on his own. Just days before leaving our hospital, he was able to start walking again using a walker.

Way to go, Brayden!

10/09/2025

Today, we celebrated the grand opening of our newest hospital in the state of Florida. Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of St. Petersburg is expected to begin serving patients later this month. This 50-bed rehabilitation hospital marks our 25th hospital in the state of Florida.

It’s our honor to meet the growing inpatient rehabilitation needs of the St. Pete community and to help those recovering from stroke and other serious illnesses and injuries regain their independence.

10/09/2025

At Encompass Health, we recognize that rehabilitation is never one-size-fits-all. Orthotics are a critical component in restoring mobility and independence after an injury or illness. These specialized tools improve alignment, reduce pain and enhance movement. Learn how we integrate orthotics into personalized care plans to help patients regain their independence.

Serious injuries or conditions may lead therapists to recommend orthotics for mobility and function during post-acute rehabilitation care. Read about the types of orthotics and why using them may help with recovery

10/08/2025

Join Lindsey Burdett, one of our dedicated physical therapists, for a behind-the-scenes look at a day in her life. Lindsey’s passion lies in helping patients regain independence and return to the activities they love most.

Thank you, Lindsey, and all of our incredible physical therapy professionals, for your unwavering commitment to our patients and to Encompass Health. Happy !

10/07/2025

We are honored to be named among the 2025 America’s Best Physical Rehabilitation Centers list by Newsweek and Statista. The list includes a record-breaking 66 Encompass Health hospitals across 27 states — earning Encompass Health the companywide title of “America’s Most Awarded Leader in Inpatient Rehabilitation” for the sixth consecutive year. Rankings are based on quality metrics, accreditation data, a national survey of industry experts and Google reviews from patients.

https://ehc.rehab/4o0JOwS

10/06/2025

Join us at our upcoming in-person hiring event!

Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Toms River
📍 14 Hospital Drive, Toms River, NJ 08755
🗓️Oct. 7
🕐 1 – 6 p.m.

Come meet our leadership team and future colleagues, and explore exciting career opportunities with a growing industry leader in rehabilitation. We would love to connect with you!

10/03/2025

We celebrated an incredible National Rehabilitation Awareness Week and are so grateful to our community partners who shared education about their services.

Special thanks to Right at Home Jersey Shore, NJ, The Residence at Stafford and Assisted Living Locators for hosting Borga's Brewhouse coffee truck. We also appreciate Rich Casella of The Guitar Den for providing live music.

It’s a joy to work alongside a team and community that know how to blend learning, appreciation and well-deserved celebration.

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

09/29/2025

Spinal Cord Injury Awareness Month is a powerful reminder of both the challenges and the possibilities that come after a life-changing injury. A traumatic injury can alter the course of someone’s life in an instant — but what does not change is the human capacity for resilience, hope and recovery.

At Encompass Health, we see this every day. Rehabilitation hospitals are more than just places for treatment; they are places of transformation. Here, patients relearn how to move, speak and live independently. They discover strength they didn’t know they had, supported by interdisciplinary teams led by doctors, therapists, nurses and specialists who are deeply committed to helping patients in their recovery.

We are so grateful for our keynote speaker, Brian McGillivray, who shared his inspiring story. Our team of clinical experts led an incredible panel related to the latest technology for spinal cord rehabilitation, celebrating patient milestones and what to expect post discharge.

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.

09/08/2025

After a stroke, Charles Brown was admitted to Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Toms River. A hard worker with two jobs, Charles brought that same strength and determination to his recovery.

To make his stroke feel less intimidating, Charles gave it a name —Wilson, like the volleyball from the movie "Castaway." This small visual helped him cope, giving him something to push or kick away when recovery felt overwhelming.

“This has been the most rewarding and adventurous weeks of my life,” Charles said. “Now is my time to focus on myself. My positive thinking is going to keep me progressing well beyond my stay at Encompass Health.”

Charles has been writing a song to document his stroke recovery and uses the lyrics during speech therapy to practice strategies for improved intelligibility and articulation. He hopes his story and attitude inspire others facing a difficult medical diagnosis, especially after a stroke.

Charles, your resilience and creativity are truly inspiring!

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.

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.