Scott has been the hospital’s CEO since 1998. He brings with him more than 30 years of healthcare experience. Scott holds a bachelor’s degree in management, with a minor in finance from the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown and a master’s degree in business administration from Saint Francis University. A life-long resident of Altoona, Scott is a graduate of Altoona Area High School. 

Dr. Patel has been an attending physician at the hospital since 1997 and became the hospital’s medical director in 1998. Dr. Patel is board certified in physical medicine and rehabilitation and is committed to helping each patient recover the strength and independence to return to work, to play and to living.  He is a leader in the care of patients with spinal cord injury, amputation, orthopedic and musculoskeletal conditions; providing the most effective treatment to meet each patient’s individual needs. Dr. Patel was an associate professor at the Schwab Rehabilitation Center/University of Chicago from 1996-1997.  He was an intern at Olympia Fields Osteopathic Medical Center and completed his residency at the world-renowned Schwab Rehabilitation Center/University of Chicago.  He completed his undergraduate education at the University of Illinois and attended medical school at the Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine.

Dr. Patel is an independent private practice physician.

Tyler is a licensed physical therapist who became the orthopedic program co-coordinator in 2019. He is a 2018 graduate of Saint Francis University, where he earned with his Doctorate in Physical Therapy.

George has been the hospital’s controller since 2009. He has more than 20 years of healthcare experience. George holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Saint Francis University and is a graduate of Bishop Guilfoyle High School.

Ginger has been with Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Altoona since January 2004. She became the cardiac co-coordinator in March 2022. Ginger received her bachelor's degree in occupational therapy from Mount Aloysius College in 2002.

Christine has been employed at the hospital since 1986 and has served as the administrative supervisor since 1998. She has more than 30 years of healthcare experience. Christine received an associate degree in specialized business in 1985 from the Altoona School of Commerce and is a graduate of Bishop Guilfoyle High School. 

Kelly joined Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Altoona in February 2010 as a rehab liaison and became the hospital’s business development director in April 2021. She graduated from Penn State University and brings almost 20 years of experience as a registered nurse. Prior to becoming a registered nurse, Kelly was an occupational therapy assistant and did per diem work for the hospital in her early career.

Tim joined the hospital in the fall of 2019 bringing with him 40 years of healthcare experience in his role as facilities management director. He has a diversified background in electrical engineering, HVAC control systems, energy efficient lighting and regulatory compliance and was the recipient of the EPA Green Lights award for lighting project designed and implemented in 1997. Tim received his degree from Stevens Technical College.

Melissa became the orthopedic program co-coordinator in 2018 after being a senior occupational therapist at the hospital for 16 years.  She obtained her bachelor’s degree in occupational therapy from Mount Aloysius in 2001.

Michelle became the director of pharmacy at Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Altoona in November 2022 following her 30-year tenure here as a staff pharmacist. She recently became the leader of our antimicrobial stewardship program and has more than 30 years of experience with inpatient hospital pharmacies. Michelle graduated from the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy and Science in 1993 with her bachelor's degree in pharmacy.

Theresa has been with the hospital since 1996. She has more than 26 years of clinical experience and almost 10 years’ experience in infection prevention and control. Theresa has been the hospital’s director of quality/performance improvement since September 2012. Theresa received her nursing degree from Mount Aloysius College in 1994 and is a graduate of Bishop Guilfoyle High School.

Mark has been the director of therapy operations since June 2013. He graduated from Temple University in 1986 with a Bachelor of Science in physical therapy. Prior to his current position, Mark served as a senior physical therapist and was the coordinator of the Spinal Cord Injury Program.

Matthew serves as the director of physical therapy and has been the Stroke (CVA) Program co-coordinator at the hospital since 2015. Matthew has been a licensed physical therapist since July 2014, all of which has been spent at the hospital in the inpatient operations. He holds his doctorate of physical therapy degree from Saint Francis University and is a graduate of Williamsburg High School.

Jane is a registered dietitian. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in nutrition from Penn State University and a Master of Science degree from the Indiana University of Pennsylvania. Jane has been employed at the hospital since 1995. She is a certified diabetic educator and is a member of the American Association of Diabetic Educators. Jane accepted the position of advanced diabetic team co-coordinator in May of 2016. She is an adjunct professor at Saint Francis University where she teaches classes in both the nursing and public health departments. Jane is also an adjunct professor at the University of Pittsburgh - Johnstown in the nursing department.

Aaron is a 2010 graduate of Saint Francis University where she obtained her master’s degree in occupational therapy after undergraduate studies at Penn State University. She has worked at the hospital since April of 2011 as a staff occupational therapist until taking on the position of director of occupational therapy in January of 2016. Aaron was a member of the stroke team before taking the position of co-coordinator in 2013 and plays an active role in program development for this patient population.

Dr. Newman has been an attending physician at the hospital since arriving in Pennsylvania from the University of Chicago in 1997. Dr. Newman specializes in rehabilitation of neurologic disorders and is especially passionate about traumatic brain injury.  Dr. Newman has been the Director of Neurotrauma at the hospital since 1997 and serves as the Chairman of the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at UPMC Altoona.  Together with other medical leaders in our community, Dr. Newman provides brain injury and concussion awareness to high school and collegiate athletic programs throughout central Pennsylvania.  Dr. Newman works closely with the rehabilitation team at the hospital to provide rehabilitation excellence to our patients and their families. Dr. Newman graduated from the University of Scranton and Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine. He completed his internship at Long Beach Memorial Hospital in New York and his residency at the University of Chicago, training at world-renowned Cook County Hospital, Rehab Institute of Chicago and the University of Chicago’s Schwab Rehabilitation Center.

Dr. Newman is an independent private practice physician.

Kristen joined Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Altoona as a pharmacist in February 2019. She accepted the position of advanced diabetic team co-coordinator in the spring of 2022. Kristen completed her undergraduate studies at University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown and obtained her Doctorate of Pharmacy degree from Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine in 2018.

Matt has been the Spinal Cord Injury Program co-coordinator since November of 2015 after being an active member of the team since he accepted his position in 2013. Matt has his doctorate degree in physical therapy from Saint Francis University with a minor in exercise physiology.

Karen graduated from Eastern Michigan University in 1983. She came to our hospital in 1988 and began her work on the spinal cord injury unit. Karen also coordinated the student program for both Level I and II occupational therapy students. She accepted the spinal cord Injury co-coordinator position in March of 2014.

Tyra joined Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Altoona in June 2019 as a per diem case manager before becoming the director of case management in July 2021. Tyra brings with her more than 20 years of nursing experience in a variety of areas with special interest in education, readmission prevention and case management. She has held a certification in case management since 2015. Tyra received her nursing degree from Mount Aloysius College and dual master’s degrees in nursing education and management from Regis University in 2019.

Becky has been an employee since 1992 and has served as the director of outpatient services since 2001. She has more than 25 years specializing in outpatient services. Becky received her bachelor’s degree in rehabilitation counseling in 1988 from Pennsylvania State University and is a graduate of Bishop Guilfoyle High School.

Courtney has been the brain injury co-coordinator since April of 2019. She joined Encompass Health Altoona as a staff physical therapist in December of 2018. Courtney has been a licensed physical therapist since 2001 and has experience in the settings of outpatient, acute hospital care and home health. Courtney holds a master’s degree in physical therapy degree from Saint Francis University.

Ashley joined Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Altoona in the spring of 2021 and brought with her 16 years of healthcare experience. She has more than 10 years of experience in nursing leadership with a special interest in quality, patient outcomes and leadership development. Ashley received her nursing degree from Conemaugh School of Nursing and a bachelor’s degree from Mount Aloysius.