Dr. Bhat has been in Arizona for over 35 years. He graduated from Temp High School in 1984 and then obtained a bachelor’s degree in microbiology at Arizona State University in 1988 and a doctor of medicine in 1992 from University of Arizona at Tucson. In 1995, he became board certified in internal medicine after completing his residency at University of Colorado in Denver. He returned to East Valley and worked as a primary care doctor for two years before becoming a hospitalist in 1998. He has served on multiple medical staffs of various East Valley hospitals. He has also worked in various settings including skilled nursing facilities, long-term acute care hospitals and hospices. He has been on staff at Encompass Health East Valley since its inception in September 2009 and has served as president of the medical staff since. He became the hospital’s medical director in November 2014. His interests include traveling, sports, history and politics.

*The hospital provides access to independent physicians.

Natasha earned her master’s degree in social work in 2003 from University of Nebraska. She has been independently licensed as a social worker in the state of Arizona since 2007. She has more than 15 years in the social work field with emphasis in the mental health and integrated systems. Natasha has additional training in trauma informed care, cognitive behavioral therapy, and motivational interviewing skills. Natasha is an active member of the National Association of Social Work, and plays additional roles in the community as a crisis worker, mental health therapist, educator, and supervisor and consultant for licensure applicants in the social work field. Natasha joined the Encompass Health, formerly HealthSouth, leadership team in April of 2013.

Diana rejoined Encompass Health, formerly HealthSouth, East Valley in October of 2013 and brings more than 15 years of healthcare experience with her. She holds a Bachelor of Science in recreation therapy from Emporia State University and also graduated from Maricopa Community College as a licensed LPN. Before returning to Encompass Health she was the market director for business development for a large long term acute care hospital system within the Phoenix Market. Her responsibilities included supervision of multiple sales teams, hospital development for multiple campus and acted as the physician recruiter and physician liaison. We welcome Diana back to her previous role of marketing operations director where she will be responsible for teams of rehabilitation marketing liaisons, designing and implementing referral programs, and customer service strategies.

Samantha earned her undergraduate degree at Arizona State University and is currently pursuing her master’s degree in nursing at Saint Xavier University. She began her career at Encompass Health, formerly HealthSouth, in 2010 and quickly found her passion for rehabilitation nursing. She has worked in a variety of clinical roles prior to becoming chief nursing officer of Encompass Health East Valley in Mesa, Ariz. in 2013.

Kathy has been practicing in the field of physical therapy for 18 years. After earning a bachelor’s degree in physical education with an interest in sports medicine, she elected to follow a career in physical therapy. She began her career as a physical therapist assistant and certified athletic trainer in 1994, and completed a master’s degree in physical therapy from Loma Linda University, Southern California in 2000. Kathy’s passion to help others culminated in receiving her doctorate of physical therapy degree from A.T. Still University in 2008. Kathy’s entire career has been in the adult inpatient and rehabilitation setting. She is a member of the Phoenix Physical Therapy Directors group and the American Physical Therapy Association.

Shelly began her career with Encompass Health, formerly HealthSouth, East Valley in June 2015. She brings more than 15 years of experience in human resources and management in various industries including retail, non-profit and healthcare. Shelly earned her bachelor’s degree in business administration in healthcare management from DeVry University in Phoenix, Arizona, and is a member of the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM).

Ted has been cooking and managing in the food service industry for more than 34 years. He gained his formal education while attending the Culinary Institute of America in New York and is certified as an executive chef through the American Culinary Federation. Ted has appeared on cooking shows, radio stations and has graciously won Food Service Employee of the Year from the Arizona Restaurant Association. His goal is to provide the highest quality food while putting a smile on the face of each of our patients, staff and guests.

Dr. Renée Tyree is the pharmacy director at Encompass Health Valley of the Sun Rehabilitation Hospital in Glendale, Arizona as well as the regional director of pharmacy for Encompass Health’s west region, which includes Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Nevada, New Mexico and Utah. A dedicated, results focused and accomplished pharmacy leader, she received her doctor of pharmacy degree from the University of Arizona and her master’s degree in health administration from the University of Cincinnati. Dr. Tyree is a practicing pharmacist with more than 20 years of experience in hospital pharmacy management, building teams and partnering with pharmacists, physicians and hospital leaders to optimize clinical, financial and operational performance. In her position as the regional pharmacy director for Encompass Health’s west region, she creates a culture for success and sets a positive direction for accomplishing clinical and operational initiatives. She received the University of Arizona Pharmacy Practice and Leadership Award for her ability to support teams in delivering leading pharmaceutical care to patients. Dr. Tyree is a former elite Paralympic athlete, having competed in three Paralympic Games on three medal winning basketball teams, she has been a role model not only for other women athletes but for people with disabilities. She is a pioneer in women’s sports and is a disability advocate who serves on the National Board of Directors of the United Spinal Association. Dr. Tyree brings her clinical expertise in pharmaceutical care and rehabilitation medicine, her personal life experiences and passion to Encompass Health.

Rhonda brings more than 15 years’ experience in quality and risk management to Encompass Health, formerly HealthSouth. She joined the leadership team in 2009 prior to the hospital’s opening. Rhonda holds a bachelor’s degree in nursing from the University of Northern Colorado. She spent most of her nursing career in Colorado which included critical care nursing, utilization review and quality/risk management. Rhonda has advanced training in continuous quality improvement methodologies and data management.