JACKSONVILLE, Fla., April 21, 2022 – Brian Soares has been named CEO of the future Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Jacksonville. The 50-bed inpatient rehabilitation hospital, which is under construction at 11595 Burnt Mill Road, is expected to begin caring for patients in June 2022.

Soares, who assumed the position on February 28, will be responsible for overseeing the future hospital’s day-to-day operations as well as patient care and quality. The hospital will provide 24-hour nursing care and physical, occupational, and speech therapies to patients recovering from major illnesses and injuries including stroke, brain injury, spinal cord injury, amputation, and complex orthopedic conditions.

“Brian is a highly accomplished, results-driven leader with more than a decade of healthcare experience and the proven ability to impact organization performance. We are honored he has accepted the role as CEO of the future Encompass Health hospital in Jacksonville,” said Ronnie Wagley, president of Encompass Health’s South Atlantic region. “He has exceled in numerous leadership roles in a rapidly changing healthcare environment, including overseeing hospital operations, developing growth strategies, and implementing policies and procedures, and I am confident in his vision for the new hospital.”

Soares most recently served as CEO of Select Hospital in Miami Lakes since 2019, where he led efforts to reduce patient length of stay, reduce staff turnover, increase employee engagement, reduce operating costs, and decrease hospital readmission rates through enhanced clinical programs and physician education. Prior to this role, he served in a number of leadership roles at several Kindred Hospital locations, for more than 10 years, including staffing coordinator, environmental services manager, materials management manager, executive fellow, assistant administrator and CEO.

Soares earned his bachelor’s degree in health science administration from the University of Florida and his master’s degree in healthcare administration from Florida Atlantic University. He currently serves on the board for the South Florida Hospital and Healthcare Association and previously served as the chair for the South Florida chapter of the American Lung Association for more than four years.