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Welcome to our hospital

At Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Bluffton, we are committed to helping you regain independence after a life-changing illness or injury. Located in Bluffton, we are a leading provider of inpatient physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech language pathology for stroke, brain injury, hip fracture and other complex neurological and orthopedic conditions.

Using clinical collaboration and advanced technologies, we provide a personalized care plan designed to meet your unique needs and help you achieve your goals.

Our inpatient rehabilitation hospital uses an interdisciplinary team approach that includes physical, speech and occupational therapists, rehabilitation physicians, rehabilitation nurses, case managers, dietitians and more, combined with our advanced technology and expertise, to help you achieve your goals. You will receive at least three hours of therapy five days per week while under the constant care of registered nurses, many of whom specialize in rehabilitation, and frequent independent private practice physician* visits.

Rehabilitation is covered in full or part by most health insurance plans, including Medicare and Medicaid. Our hospital has contracts with most major insurance companies and is willing to negotiate with other companies, as needed.

*The hospital provides access to independent physicians.

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Careers

What to expect

Take a look at what happens during a stay at our hospital

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Superior amenities at our hospitals

38 Beds

Nonsmoking

Free WiFi

Interpreter services

Telephones

Televisions

Courtyard

Tours available

Pet friendly

Student observation hours

Volunteers

See our hospital

We proudly display our Gold Seal of Approval™

Joint Commission Accreditation

By demonstrating compliance with The Joint Commission’s national standards for healthcare quality and safety, our hospital is accredited by The Joint Commission.

Take a virtual tour

The following region contains a Google 3D virtual tour feature that allows a user to view the Encompass Health facility. To assist screen reader users in understanding what is presented in the 3D virtual tour, each image view is independently described within lists that can be found under each linked heading.

Please click on the arrows to navigate through the hallways on each floor. Use the "L" options on the right-hand side of the tour window below to navigate through different areas/floors of the hospital for a full virtual tour. See a key to "L" areas below.

  • Driveway patient accessible entrance leading to sliding front doors.
  • Sliding doors with magazine racks and luggage carts.
  • Sliding doors leading to reception desk and hallway.
  • Patient seating available on both sides of entrance doors.
  • Computer on desk with chair.
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  • Single patient bed with nightstand and large window.
  • Alcove with couch and chairs for sitting with picture on wall and large window.
  • Desks with chairs and cork board and a safe on desktop.
  • Closet space between two desktop workstations.
  • Sink opposite of desk workspace.
  • Bathroom with toilet, shower and accessibility seats and door for privacy.
  • Doorway leading to hall.
  |  
  • Living room with couch and chair.
  • Kitchenette with stove, refrigerator, sink, microwave, toaster oven and cabinets.
  • Bed, side table and dresser.
  • Dining table and chairs.
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  • Circular courtyard surrounded by brick wall and trees.
  • Multiple raised flower beds.
  • Round table and chairs for seating and dining.
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  • Therapy room with various equipment and technology such as parallel bars.
  • Therapy beds line walls for individual therapy sessions.
  • Room divided in to two therapy spaces.
  • Windows lining wall.
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  • Large tables and chairs for dining.
  • Small round tables and chairs for dining.
  • Television and artwork on walls.
  • Vending machines for drinks and snacks.
  • Hot and cold buffet style food bars.
  • Fountain drink and hot drink machines available in cafeteria.
  • Station with plasticware, straws and napkins.

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Hospital happenings

Encompass Health Bluffton would like to congratulate our 2022 employee of the year, Asya Floyd! Please join us in congratulating Asya for this achievement! Asya is a part of our marketing and admissions team and has been with our hospital since we opened in 2018. She is regularly recognized for her positivity, creativity and excellent communication skills. Congratulations, Asya!

- Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Bluffton

Employee of the year award

Hospital happenings

Our Outstanding Employee Achievement Award Winner for 3rd quarter is Matt Kotarski! Matt serves the hospital in excellence as our Maintenance Mechanic. He goes above and beyond to provide the best service. Congrats to Matt!

- Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Bluffton

Matt Kotarski

Leadership and staff

Wayne Boutwell
Wayne Boutwell

Chief Executive Officer

Wayne is an accomplished hospital operator who has served in healthcare for 24 years.

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.

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Vincent Somaio
VINCENT SOMAIO

Medical Director

Dr. Somaio brings 16 years of experience as a board certified physician specializing in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PMR).

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.

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Renee Bannon
Renee Bannon

Business Development Director

Renee Bannon joined Encompass Health with the opening of the Bluffton hospital in 2018 and now serves as the business development director. 

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.

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Michael Hurst
MICHAEL HURST

Controller

Michael joined Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Bluffton in 2022 with 16 years of healthcare experience.

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.

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Kathleen Johnson
Kathleen Johnson

Director of Therapy Operations

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.

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.

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Stephanie Jczurcak
STEPHANIE JURCZAK

Director of Case Management

Stephanie joined Encompass Health with more than 10 years of case management experience.

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.

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Nancy Kendall
NANCY KENDALL

Chief Nursing Officer

Nancy is an experienced nurse with more than two decades of nursing experience.

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.

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Robert May
ROBERT MAY

Director of Quality & Risk

Robert joined Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Bluffton in 2022.

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.

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Sandy Wiltgen
SANDY WILTGEN

Human Resources Director

Sandy joined Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Bluffton in August 2022.

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.

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What to expect

Take a look at what happens during a stay at our hospital

Watch the videos

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Our hospital

We deliver connected care and superior outcomes through our state-of-the-art inpatient rehabilitation hospital.

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