Scott has been the hospital’s CEO since 1998. He brings with him more than 30 years of healthcare experience. Scott holds a bachelor’s degree in management, with a minor in finance from the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown and a master’s degree in business administration from Saint Francis University. A life-long resident of Altoona, Scott is a graduate of Altoona Area High School. 

Dr. Patel has been an attending physician at the hospital since 1997 and became the hospital’s medical director in 1998. Dr. Patel is board certified in physical medicine and rehabilitation and is committed to helping each patient recover the strength and independence to return to work, to play and to living.  He is a leader in the care of patients with spinal cord injury, amputation, orthopedic and musculoskeletal conditions; providing the most effective treatment to meet each patient’s individual needs. Dr. Patel was an associate professor at the Schwab Rehabilitation Center/University of Chicago from 1996-1997.  He was an intern at Olympia Fields Osteopathic Medical Center and completed his residency at the world-renowned Schwab Rehabilitation Center/University of Chicago.  He completed his undergraduate education at the University of Illinois and attended medical school at the Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine.

Dr. Patel is an independent private practice physician.

George has been the hospital’s controller since 2009. He has more than 20 years of healthcare experience. George holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Saint Francis University and is a graduate of Bishop Guilfoyle High School.

Christine has been employed at the hospital since 1986 and has served as the administrative supervisor since 1998. She has more than 30 years of healthcare experience. Christine received an associate degree in specialized business in 1985 from the Altoona School of Commerce and is a graduate of Bishop Guilfoyle High School. 

Kelly joined Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Altoona in February 2010 as a rehab liaison and became the hospital’s business development director in April 2021. She graduated from Penn State University and brings almost 20 years of experience as a registered nurse. Prior to becoming a registered nurse, Kelly was an occupational therapy assistant and did per diem work for the hospital in her early career.

Michelle became the director of pharmacy at Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Altoona in November 2022 following her 30-year tenure here as a staff pharmacist. She recently became the leader of our antimicrobial stewardship program and has more than 30 years of experience with inpatient hospital pharmacies. Michelle graduated from the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy and Science in 1993 with her bachelor's degree in pharmacy.

Theresa has been with the hospital since 1996. She has more than 26 years of clinical experience and almost 10 years’ experience in infection prevention and control. Theresa has been the hospital’s director of quality/performance improvement since September 2012. Theresa received her nursing degree from Mount Aloysius College in 1994 and is a graduate of Bishop Guilfoyle High School.

Mark has been the director of therapy operations since June 2013. He graduated from Temple University in 1986 with a Bachelor of Science in physical therapy. Prior to his current position, Mark served as a senior physical therapist and was the coordinator of the Spinal Cord Injury Program.

Matthew serves as the director of physical therapy and has been the Stroke (CVA) Program co-coordinator at the hospital since 2015. Matthew has been a licensed physical therapist since July 2014, all of which has been spent at the hospital in the inpatient operations. He holds his doctorate of physical therapy degree from Saint Francis University and is a graduate of Williamsburg High School.

Aaron is a 2010 graduate of Saint Francis University where she obtained her master’s degree in occupational therapy after undergraduate studies at Penn State University. She has worked at the hospital since April of 2011 as a staff occupational therapist until taking on the position of director of occupational therapy in January of 2016. Aaron was a member of the stroke team before taking the position of co-coordinator in 2013 and plays an active role in program development for this patient population.

Dr. Newman has been an attending physician at the hospital since arriving in Pennsylvania from the University of Chicago in 1997. Dr. Newman specializes in rehabilitation of neurologic disorders and is especially passionate about traumatic brain injury.  Dr. Newman has been the Director of Neurotrauma at the hospital since 1997 and serves as the Chairman of the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at UPMC Altoona.  Together with other medical leaders in our community, Dr. Newman provides brain injury and concussion awareness to high school and collegiate athletic programs throughout central Pennsylvania.  Dr. Newman works closely with the rehabilitation team at the hospital to provide rehabilitation excellence to our patients and their families. Dr. Newman graduated from the University of Scranton and Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine. He completed his internship at Long Beach Memorial Hospital in New York and his residency at the University of Chicago, training at world-renowned Cook County Hospital, Rehab Institute of Chicago and the University of Chicago’s Schwab Rehabilitation Center.

Dr. Newman is an independent private practice physician.

Scott joined Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Altoona in May 2024. He brings 32 years of experience in maintenance and business management. His diverse experience includes 10 years with the U.S. Air Force in civil engineering, facility maintenance, regulatory requirements and sanitation programs. Scott is a graduate of Altoona Area High School.

Liz earned a master's degree in human resources and employment relations from Penn State University and a master's degree in education from Saint Francis University. She has human resources leadership experience in both acute and long-term care.

Tyra joined Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Altoona in June 2019 as a per diem case manager before becoming the director of case management in July 2021. Tyra brings with her more than 20 years of nursing experience in a variety of areas with special interest in education, readmission prevention and case management. She has held a certification in case management since 2015. Tyra received her nursing degree from Mount Aloysius College and dual master’s degrees in nursing education and management from Regis University in 2019.

Becky has been an employee since 1992 and has served as the director of outpatient services since 2001. She has more than 25 years specializing in outpatient services. Becky received her bachelor’s degree in rehabilitation counseling in 1988 from Pennsylvania State University and is a graduate of Bishop Guilfoyle High School.

Ashley joined Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Altoona in the spring of 2021 and brought with her 16 years of healthcare experience. She has more than 10 years of experience in nursing leadership with a special interest in quality, patient outcomes and leadership development. Ashley received her nursing degree from Conemaugh School of Nursing and a bachelor’s degree from Mount Aloysius.