Wayne is an accomplished hospital operator who has served in healthcare for 24 years. He has served in multiple hospital environments including for-profit systems and not-for-profit systems, as well as short term acute care and post-acute care. Wayne most recently served as the CEO of ContinueCARE Hospital in Columbia, South Carolina. Prior to relocating to South Carolina, Wayne served as the CEO of Regency Hospital in Macon, Georgia. Wayne's other prior roles include serving 12 years with Tenet Healthcare where he served as an associate administrator and later as chief operating officer at Atlanta Medical Center, a two-campus, 762 bed, level 1 trauma center. Wayne holds a master's degree in business administration from Mercer University, and a bachelor's degree in management from the University of Phoenix. He is also a fellow with the American College of Healthcare Executives.

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.

Nick joined Encompass Health in November 2015. He is a native of Cameron County, Texas and a former member of the U.S. Air Force where he got his formal start in maintenance and facilities management. He has experience as an interim facilities director both at Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Newnan in Georgia and Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Shelby County in Pelham, Alabama. Nick has extensive experience with Joint Commission surveys and has completed continuing education courses in life safety/environment of care and the physical environment. He is also pursuing the completion of his CHFM certification.

Michael joined Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Bluffton in 2022 with 16 years of healthcare experience. Most recently, Michael has been the controller for Coastal Carolina Hospital in Hardeeville for nine years. Prior to relocating to the low country, he served in the accounting department at Spalding Regional Hospital, south of Atlanta, Georgia. Michael holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting and business management from Pensacola Christian College.

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.

Stephanie joined Encompass Health with more than 10 years of case management experience. She has held various discharge planning positions across the inpatient and outpatient spectrum of healthcare. She hails from Detroit by way of Chicago where she earned her master's degree in social work from Loyola University. Stephanie and her family are delighted to call South Carolina home.

Nancy is an experienced nurse with more than two decades of nursing experience. She joined Encompass Health in 2014 and has served as the chief nursing officer at Encompass Rehabilitation Hospital of Bluffton since 2019. Nancy is a certified rehabilitation registered nurse (CRRN). She earned her nursing degree from Georgia Southwestern University and her master's degree in nursing at Troy State University. She has a member of the association of rehabilitation, Sigma Theta Tau and South Carolina Organization of Nurse Leaders. Nancy is dedicated to providing quality nursing care and meeting the needs of the patients and community.

Robert joined Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Bluffton in 2022. He previously served as the director of quality & risk management for a 50 bed long term acute care facility. He also has experience with infection prevention and control and various other aspects of healthcare such as respiratory and laboratory management. A native of Savannah, Ga. he received his bachelor's degree in respiratory therapy from Armstrong Atlantic State University and is a registered respiratory therapist. He has held the title of respiratory care supervisor at a level one trauma center where he had over 10 years of critical care experience.

Sandy joined Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Bluffton in August 2022. She brings nearly a decade of full-cycle human resources experience to her new role.  She earned her bachelor's degree in psychology from James Madison University and has continued her love for helping and supporting people professionally in human resource management. Moving from Las Vegas to return east, Sandy was excited to leave the desert to enjoy the South Carolina lowcountry.