As the CEO of MUSC Health Medical University of South Carolina Rehabilitation Hospital, an affiliate of Encompass Health, Rick is responsible for administering and coordinating the overall operations of the hospital including the implementation and oversight of the hospital strategic plan, which is built around offering a world class experience for the patients, staff and community it serves. Rick has a proven executive leadership and management track record with more than 12 years of experience in the acute care outpatient area.

Dr. Walker is the medical director at MUSC Health Medical University of South Carolina Rehabilitation Hospital. She joins the Encompass Health Charleston team from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, where she resided as an associate professor and residency program director for the department of physical medicine and rehabilitation. Dr. Walker completed medical school at the University of Kentucky and served as the administrative chief resident during her residency in physical medicine and rehabilitation at the University of Pittsburgh. Following residency, she completed a fellowship in spinal cord injury at the renowned Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation. She is board-certified in physical medicine and rehabilitation, spinal cord injury, and brain injury medicine.

Dr. Walker is an independent private practice physician.

Angela brings more than 25 years of nursing expertise to MUSC Rehabilitation Hospital. She earned a doctoral degree in nursing leadership, as well as holds three board certifications that cover the specialties of healthcare quality, risk management and nursing executive leadership. A Wisconsin native, Angela moved to Charleston in 2005 to be closer to her sister and extended family.

Michael brings more than 15 years of HVAC expertise to MUSC Rehabilitation Hospital. He has served as a building manager and plant operations director. Michael graduated from the University of South Carolina with a certificate in project management. A New Jersey native, Michael moved to Charleston in 2014 to be closer to his brother and extended family.

Wendy comes to Encompass Health with 28 years case management experience in various acute care settings to include Tidelands Georgetown Memorial Hospital, Vibra Long Term Acute Care Hospital and Hospice both inpatient and home setting. She is a graduate of Columbia College in Columbia, SC with a degree in social work. Wendy was recently nominated for case manager of the year for the Charleston/Tri-County area. In her spare time, Wendy enjoys boating and spending time with her family.

Caitlin 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.

Tricia currently serves as controller at MUSC Health Medical University of South Carolina Rehabilitation Hospital. Tricia’s career spans over 25 years of progressive and accomplished home health and hospital CFO experience. She received her master’s degree in business administration from North Greenville University in her hometown of Greenville, SC.

Dr. Patel is a 2003 graduate of University of Pikeville School of Osteopathic Medicine. He completed his internship and residency in Internal Medicine at Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio. Dr. Patel became board certified in 2006 by the American Board of Internal Medicine. He has been serving the Charleston area since 2006. Dr. Patel is president of the Society of Hospital Medicine, Lowcountry chapter. In 2011, he founded Pinnacle Physicians, LLC, a hospitalist company with a mission to provide the highest quality of care for inpatient services.

Dr. Patel is an independent private practice physician.

Cathy has been the pharmacy director at MUSC Health Medical University of South Carolina Rehabilitation Hospital since 2007. She has more than 14 years of pharmacy management experience. She received her BS in pharmacy from The Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) College of Pharmacy. She also has a bachelor’s degree from the College of Charleston in secondary education and taught history, geography, journalism and English before seeking her degree in pharmacy. Cathy instructs pharmacy students from South Carolina College of Pharmacy where she is an adjunct assistant professor. She has lived in the Charleston area for more than 30 years.

Susan has more than 20 years of experience in healthcare human resources management. She enjoys spending time with her husband, children and grandchildren. Susan is also involved with missions through her church.

Christy Yatagan graduated from West Virginia University with a doctorate degree in physical therapy in 2009 and a bachelor's in exercise physiology in 2006. She has been a PT with Encompass Health for over ten years and was named DTO in 2018 after serving as a team leader and a department manager. Christy has 96 hours of specialized neuro IFRAH training but enjoys working with all patient populations. Christy previously led the hospital's team to maintain our Joint Commission Hip Fracture Management certification.