Jeff Reese was named CEO in April 2018 for Van Matre Encompass Health Rehabilitation Institute. Jeff comes to Van Matre from Rusk Rehabilitation Center, an Encompass Health hospital, where he served as CFO/Controller. He earned both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in business administration from Northwest Missouri State University. He brings prior healthcare experience from the acute hospital setting at both SSM Health St. Mary’s in Jefferson City, MO and Lake Regional Health System in Osage Beach, MO. Jeff feels that exceptional healthcare is achieved through building a highly trained, caring staff that pursues the highest level of independence for every patient.

Gemma has been employed with Encompass Health since 2008 when she began her career as a physical therapist. She has experience as an inpatient therapist and also as the outpatient therapy team leader. Gemma holds a bachelor’s degree in health science and a master’s degree in physical therapy from Northern Illinois University. She is the spinal cord injury program co-leader at Van Matre, a spinal cord injury clinical specialist and a corporate educator for Encompass Health. Gemma has been a leader of the Rockford spinal cord injury support group for more than 10 years and is a member of the Illinois Spinal Cord Injury Association, American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine and the Academy of Spinal Cord Injury Professionals. Gemma has a passion for getting patients back to their highest level of independence in the community.

Eric brings more than 18 years of pharmacy management experience to the director of pharmacy position at Van Matre Encompass Health. During this time, he has practiced in all facets of pharmaceutical care including inpatient, community and clinic settings. He is a graduate of St. Louis College of Pharmacy and participates in mentoring future pharmacists as an Adjunct Clinical Professor with University of Illinois at Rockford.

Jimmy began as the facilities management director at Van Matre Encompass Health Rehabilitation Institute in 2019. He brings with him 15 years of experience in operational leadership, process improvement, and change management. Jimmy graduated from The Ohio State University with a BSBA focused on operations management.

Karli is a human resource professional with extensive experience in forward-thinking human resources, specifically in the healthcare industry. She holds a bachelor’s degree in human resources/organizational leadership with additional focus in business administration.

Alyssa has been with Encompass Health since 2009 when she began her career as a speech-language pathologist. She has experience as both an inpatient and outpatient therapist and also as the speech therapy team leader. Alyssa holds a bachelor’s degree in communication sciences and disorders from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and a master’s degree in speech pathology from the University of South Carolina Columbia. She is a member of the American Speech-Language Hearing Association, holds a brain injury specialist trainer certification, and serves as a corporate educator for Encompass Health. Alyssa’s focus is to achieve continuous improvement in patient satisfaction initiatives, quality reviews and advanced hospital certification.

Laura joined Van Matre Encompass Health Rehabilitation Institute as business development director in 2022 and holds a master’s degree in organizational leadership from Gonzaga University. With more than 20 years of marketing and management experience, she continuously focuses on patient experience and community engagement through the development of a compassionate and professional team.

Amy has been with the case management department at Van Matre Encompass Health Rehabilitation Institute since 2016, and has been director of case management since December 2020. Amy earned her master's degree in social work at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and is a licensed clinical social worker. Amy has case management experience in both the outpatient and inpatient settings and has extensive knowledge of community resources. Amy’s focus is to work with the interdisciplinary team to help patients achieve independence and help identify barriers patients may have in reaching their full potential.

Ashley has been with Encompass Health since 2019, starting as a staff pharmacist, moving into the pharmacy supervisor position, and now continuing as the director of pharmacy at Van Matre Encompass Health Rehabilitation Institute. Ashley holds a bachelor’s degree in biology and minor in chemistry from New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology, along with a Doctor of Pharmacy degree from Rosalind Franklin University. Ashley is dedicated to working with our interdisciplinary team to ensure patients understand and are comfortable taking their medication regimens at home. She works with the University of Illinois at Rockford, mentoring future pharmacists during their clinical rotations.

Natasha is a graduate of Chamberlain University holding a master’s degree in nursing and in health care administration. She believes in transforming healthcare through nursing leadership and has served in a variety of senior leadership roles over the last 15 years. Her clinical interests are to lead and influence nursing care decisions while achieving the best possible patient outcomes through change initiation, inspiration and motivation.