Zach Kirby was named chief executive officer of Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Shelby County in Pelham on Jan. 2. As CEO, Kirby oversees all day-to-day operations as well as patient care and quality at the 88-bed inpatient rehabilitation hospital located at 900 Oak Mountain Drive.

Kirby began his career as a physical therapist and program coordinator at East Alabama Medical Center. In this role, he oversaw staff and student training, placement and management. He also developed and coordinated services for patients receiving cancer treatment.

Kirby then became director of rehabilitation services at a post-acute care center in Durham, North Carolina. For four years, he managed all daily operations of the inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation.

Following this role, he joined Methodist LeBonheur Healthcare in Memphis, Tennessee, where he served as director of rehabilitative services, executive champion of environmental services and senior director of professional and support services. In this role, he led new business development plans that provided capital growth by $12 million and positive oversight that resulted in all departments scoring at the top quartile in associate loyalty and engagement.

Kirby then joined Encompass Health Lakeshore Rehabilitation Hospital in Birmingham as associate administrator where he managed daily operations and the hospital budget. He improved the hospital’s position in company clinical ratings. While serving in this role Kirby also entered the company’s Developing Future CEO Program and exceeded all performance goals.

A licensed physical therapist, Kirby completed his bachelor’s degree in exercise science from Auburn University, his master’s degree in healthcare administration from the University of North Carolina and a doctorate in physical therapy from the University of South Alabama. He is a fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives and the American Physical Therapy Association.