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.

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.

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.

Ronda has 20 years of nursing acute care experience in profit and non-profit hospitals. She received her doctorate in nursing from Walden University in 2016 and is certified in executive nursing practice from the American Organization for Nursing Leadership. Ronda has experience in successfully leading teams to improve patient outcomes by providing evidence-based quality care. Ronda and her husband of 29 years have two sons and one daughter. 

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.