Ricky Molina joined Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Bluffton as CEO in 2019 with more than 12 years of healthcare experience. He came to Encompass Health of Bluffton after serving as a chief executive officer at an inpatient rehabilitation hospital in Flagstaff, Arizona. After holding various leadership and executive roles in a range of healthcare settings from dialysis to long-term acute care to inpatient rehabilitation, Ricky continues to be motivated by his staff realizing their full potential as they support our patients throughout their recovery. He earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration/economics and a master’s degree of business administration from Norwich University. Ricky is a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps, where he served as an officer. He currently serves as a “Big” to the Big Brother Big Sister program.

Dr. Somaio brings 16 years of experience as a board certified physician specializing in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PMR). He completed his medical training and residency at Albany Medical Center Hospital in Upstate New York. He has extensive experience treating both adult and pediatric patients with stroke, brain injury, trauma, orthopedic and neurologic conditions such as Parkinson’s disease and multiple sclerosis. He was an associate professor at Albany Medical Center Hospital for PMR residents and is an auxiliary member of the New York State Board of Medicine. He served as President of the Stand Up and Play Foundation (Capital District of NY Chapter) and is currently an active member of the National MS Society.

Dr. Somaio is an independent private practice physician.

Renee Bannon joined Encompass Health with the opening of the Bluffton hospital in 2018 and now serves as the business development director. She came with 20+ combined years of sales, business, and nursing experience. Renee earned her bachelor's degree in nursing from The Baptist School of Health Professionals and is licensed as a registered nurse. Renee is a native to the area and comes from a family of nurses, first responders, military, and community servants. She proudly boasts that her grandmother, also a nurse, helped establish the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) in Jasper County.

Jacqueline has more than 30 years experience as a registered nurse and more than 20 years experience as a case manager. She earned her certification of case management in 2010. Jacqueline is joining Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Bluffton with an extensive background in utilization management of rehabilitation patients. She is a native of Centerville, Ohio and attended Wright State University. Jacqueline relocated to Bluffton in 2017.

Kathleen joined the Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Bluffton team in 2020 with more than five years of experience with Encompass Health in Savannah, Georgia and Memphis, Tennessee. She received her bachelor’s degree in exercise science from the University of Memphis and her doctorate degree in physical therapy degree from The University of Tennessee Health Science Center. Throughout her time with Encompass Health, she has served as a staff physical therapist, physical therapy team leader, program champion of The Joint Commission Stroke Certification Team in Savannah, and has earned her NDT certification.

Caitlin Motes was recently promoted from physical therapy team lead and is serving as our director of quality and risk management. Caitlin has worked at Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Bluffton since its opening in 2018 when she joined as the lead physical therapist. She has previously served in the same role at Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Savannah. Caitlin holds her bachelor's degree in biology from Covenant College and her doctorate degree in physical therapy from Armstrong Atlantic State University. In addition to inpatient rehabilitation, she brings experience in the acute care, long-term acute care, and brain injury rehabilitation settings. She holds certification for neuro-developmental treatment specializing in stroke and neurologic conditions.

Edward has worked and held several healthcare financial roles in his career. His leadership and experience as CFO and VP assist the hospital in its mission to provide exceptional patient care in the greater Bluffton/Hilton Head market. Ed has degrees from the University of Tennessee and Tennessee Technological University. He is responsible for the financial, purchasing, cost containment and overall metric and performance goals of the hospital. Motivated by the passion to make a positive impact, his favorite experiences are seeing the amazing changes taking place in the lives and families of our patients.