Gemma started her career with Encompass Health in 2008 as an inpatient physical therapist. She earned both her bachelor’s degree in health science and her master’s degree in physical therapy from Northern Illinois University. She is a spinal cord injury specialist and a certified case manager. Gemma served in many roles in her tenure at Van Matre Encompass Health Rehabilitation Institute, including outpatient therapy team lead, director of case management and director of therapy operations, before transitioning to the role of CEO at Encompass Health Rehabilitation Institute of Libertyville in June 2023. Gemma strongly believes that successful patient outcomes are built upon an engaged workforce that is dedicated to getting patients back to their community and prior level of function.

Dr. Stephen Talty is a board certified rehabilitation physician who has previously served as medical director of VanMatre Encompass Health Rehabilitation Institute in Rockford, IL. He earned his undergraduate degree in chemistry from Xavier University and completed medical school at the University of Cincinnati, Ohio. He also completed his residency in physical medicine and rehabilitation at Northwestern/McGaw Medical Center Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, where he served as chief resident.

Dr. Talty is an independent private practice physician.

Dr. Nicole Copley has over a decade of experience, earning her Doctorate of Pharmacy degree from Midwestern University in Downers Grove, IL. She has worked within multiple communities in a retail setting, mail order environment, and her greatest passion - rehabilitation hospitals. Dr. Copley is licensed in nine states and is anticoagulation certified, antibiotic stewardship certified, and has a passion for improving transitional care for our patients. Dr. Copley has been with Encompass Health since 2018, having previously worked for VanMatre Encompass Health Rehabilitation Institute in Rockford, IL.

Erin has been working in the healthcare industry since 2004. Her background is in occupational therapy, and she spent 15 years in leadership helping her teams reach successful patient outcomes. She earned a master’s degree in business administration with a focus on healthcare administration from Western Governors University. Erin is passionate about the healthcare industry, and she takes pride in knowing that as the director of quality and risk, she plays a major role in helping the staff provide safe and quality care in alignment with strategic goals.

Janine joined Encompass Health in 2023 after working in the healthcare industry for the past eight years. She earned her bachelor's degree in finance from Canisius College and her master's degree in business administration from Medaille College, both located in Buffalo, New York. She has over 25 years of experience in the field of accounting and has worked in both the public and private sectors. Janine has held several positions over the years, including staff accountant, corporate accountant, senior accountant and most recently was the assistant to the controller of a healthcare organization. She is very passionate about her role in not only analyzing financial data but helping achieve the best financial health for the organization by problem solving, strategic decision making, interdepartmental collaboration and helping lead process improvements within the organization.

Svetlana started as a chief nursing officer of Encompass Health Rehabilitation Institute of Libertyville in November 2021, bringing more than 15 years of acute inpatient rehabilitation experience. She earned her bachelor’s degree in english philology from Kazan State Pedagogical University, and a bachelor’s degree in nursing from North Park University. Additionally, she earned her master’s degree in nursing administration and a master’s degree in business administration from Benedictine University. She is a member of both National and Illinois Associations of Rehabilitation Nurses and has been a Certified Rehabilitation Registered Nurse since 2010.

Ena has been working in healthcare since 2013 in inpatient, post-acute and skilled nursing settings, and she joined Encompass Health in January 2024 as the director of case management. Ena graduated with her bachelor’s degree from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and her master’s degree from Dominican University. Ena takes tremendous pride in working within interdisciplinary teams to collaborate on how to meet the needs of the patient while ensuring they have a safe transition to their next level of care.

Roman joined Encompass Health in May 2023. He brings with him over 20 years of experience in facility management. Roman has experience in managing dialysis clinics as well as medical device and biotech facilities and has strong background in project management, operations and OSHA compliance.

Melissa joined Encompass Health in 2011 and has held roles of physical therapist, IP therapy team lead, and director of therapy operations. Melissa graduated with a bachelor’s degree in exercise science from the University of Nebraska at Kearney and then received a Doctorate of Physical Therapy from Des Moines University.

Betty joined Encompass Health as human resources director in September 2007. She has been a human resources professional since 2003 with experience in all areas of the human resources function including recruitment and retention, staff development, employee engagement, employee relations, benefits administration, performance management, employment law and compliance and workplace safety. She has a bachelor’s degree in business administration with an emphasis in human resource management. She also has her certification as a Professional in Human Resources (PHR) and SHRM-CP.

Before joining Encompass Health as the business development director in November of 2021, Amy Torres spent the past eight years in the post-acute healthcare space within skilled nursing and rehabilitation settings. Her experience includes: hospital liaison, regional director of business development, with a career highlight participating in the grand opening of a brand new skilled nursing and rehab facility. Amy earned her bachelor’s degree at Illinois State University and immediately began her career in sales and marketing.