Susan was named CEO of Cardinal Hill Rehabilitation Hospital in March 2022 after having served in two previous positions with Encompass Health. She was the CEO of Wesley Rehabilitation Hospital and prior to that position was the associate administrator at MidAmerica Rehabilitation Hospital in the developing future CEO program. Susan has almost 20 years of clinical and leadership experience, including her role as director of inpatient acute, post-acute and outpatient rehabilitation services. She received a bachelor’s degree in health science, as well as a master’s degree in occupational therapy from Gannon University. Susan also holds a clinical doctorate in occupational therapy specializing in administration and practice management from Rocky Mountain University in Provo, Utah.

Dr. Susan McDowell has been with Cardinal Hill Rehabilitation Hospital since 1994, and assumed the role of medical director in July 2018. She earned her medical degree from the Medical College of Georgia and completed her physical medicine and rehabilitation residency at the University of Kentucky. She is board-certified by the American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation with a subspecialty certificate in spinal cord injury medicine. Dr. McDowell is the Janet Galloway Carter Endowed Chairperson of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at the University of Kentucky. As the medical director of Cardinal Hill Rehabilitation Hospital, she actively participates in the daily efforts to advance the efficiency, effectiveness and quality of rehabilitation care provided.

Dr. McDowell is an independent private practice physician.

Gary brings more than 20 years of healthcare finance expertise to Cardinal Hill Rehabilitation Hospital. He graduated from the University of Tennessee with a bachelor’s degree in business administration and received a master’s degree in health administration from the Martin School of Public Policy and Administration at the University of Kentucky. He holds membership with the Healthcare Financial Management Association.

Emily Brock, the director of therapy, has been at Cardinal Hill Rehabilitation Hospital for the past 17 years. She received both her bachelor’s degree and master's degree in occupational therapy from Eastern Kentucky University. She originally was hired as an occupational therapist on the general rehab unit. After 10 years working on this unit, she assumed the therapy manager position for 5 years before accepting the director of quality and risk management in May of 2018. She has recently accepted the position of director of therapy operations with a desire to lead the therapy teams to create an environment and culture that enables Cardinal Hill Rehabilitation Hospital to fulfill its mission by meeting or exceeding its goals; conveying the hospital mission to all therapy staff; facilitation for staff accountability for their performance and motivating staff to improve their performance.

Dr. Covington joined Cardinal Hill Rehabilitation Hospital as associate medical director in July 2018. Dr. Covington is a graduate of Oklahoma State University Health Science Center, College of Osteopathic Medicine in Tulsa, Oklahoma in 1993 and completed residency in physical medicine and rehabilitation at the University of Kentucky in 1997. He has been a Diplomat of the American Board of Physical Medical and Rehabilitation since 1998, and brings more than 20 years of board-certified experience in rehabilitation medicine to Lexington. Dr. Covington has served as a medical director in a variety of inpatient and outpatient venues from around the country.

Dr. Covington is an independent private practice physician.

Theresa brings 18 years’ experience in healthcare and 22 years of leadership experience to Cardinal Hill. She has her master’s degree in nursing leadership (MSN) and is a certified nurse manager leader (CNML). Theresa is originally from Louisville, KY, but has lived in Georgetown, KY for the past 31 years.

Kelli Eads, business development director, has been at Cardinal Hill Rehabilitation Hospital for the past 13 years. She received both her bachelor’s degree in health science and master's degree in physical therapy from the University of Kentucky. She was originally hired as a physical therapist in the outpatient department. After 10 years working as a staff therapist in outpatient, she assumed the outpatient therapy manager position for the past 3 years, prior to becoming the business development director in August 2018.

Jennifer brings 25 years of nursing experience to Encompass Health’s Cardinal Hill Rehabilitation Hospital. A Lexington native, she graduated from Eastern Kentucky University with a Doctorate of Nursing Practice in organizational leadership. She is certified in Nursing Professional Development (BC) and a Certified Nurse Manager Leader (CNML).

Michelle brings more than 18 years of healthcare management experience to Cardinal Hill Rehabilitation Hospital. She obtained a bachelor’s degree in physical therapy from the University of Kentucky and a master’s degree in business administration from Xavier University. She serves on the executive board of the Brain Injury Alliance of Kentucky and is a founding member of the Kentucky Appalachian Rural Rehabilitation Network and the Kentucky Congress for Spinal Cord Injury.

Spencer brings more than 10 years of pharmacy practice experience to Cardinal Hill Rehabilitation Hospital. He graduated from Brigham Young University in 2013 with a bachelor’s degree in biochemistry, then earned both a Doctor of Pharmacy and a master’s in public administration from the University of Kentucky in 2019. After obtaining his pharmacist license, he worked for five years as a pharmacist at a local retail pharmacy, four years of which he was the pharmacy manager. He is originally from southern Illinois and has lived in Lexington for the past 10 years.

Lyn brings more than 11 years of diverse human resources experience to Cardinal Hill Rehabilitation Hospital. She received her master’s degree from Midway University. Lyn is a member of both local and national Society of Human Resource Management chapters.