CEO Named to Lead New Patricia Neal Rehabilitation Hospital Under Construction in West Knoxville

Hospital is a joint venture between Covenant Health and Encompass Health

KNOXVILLE, Tennessee, Oct. 27, 2022 Jennifer Steely has been named CEO of Patricia Neal Rehabilitation Hospital West, a 51-bed inpatient rehabilitation hospital under construction at Covenant Health’s west campus on Fort Sanders West Boulevard, in Knoxville, Tennessee. The hospital is a joint venture between Covenant Health and Encompass Health and is expected to begin caring for patients in early 2023.

Jennifer Steely
Jennifer Steely, CEO of Patricia Neal Rehabilitation Hospital

Steely also will continue in her role as CEO of the current Patricia Neal Rehabilitation Center, which is located at Covenant Health’s Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center in downtown Knoxville. As part of the joint venture project, the downtown rehabilitation center is undergoing renovation to become a 22-bed hospital-in-hospital structure, including converting all semi-private rooms to private rooms. Upon completion, it will be renamed Patricia Neal Rehabilitation Hospital Fort Sanders.

Steely is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations at both hospitals, as well as patient care and quality. Both locations will provide 24-hour nursing care along with 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.

“We thank Jennifer for her dedication, hard work and leadership at the Patricia Neal Rehabilitation Center for nearly three decades, and we’re excited to expand her leadership role to our new joint venture hospital with Encompass Health,” said Jim VanderSteeg, Covenant Health president and CEO. “Jennifer is an experienced leader with a proven track record in rehabilitative care. I’m confident that in her new role she will continue to elevate the patient experience and high-quality care in the greater Knoxville community and beyond.”

“Jennifer is a highly accomplished leader with extensive leadership experience in inpatient rehabilitation, and we are honored she has accepted the role as CEO of the future hospital,” said Abe Sims, President of Encompass Health’s Mid-Atlantic region. “She has excelled in numerous leadership roles in a rapidly changing healthcare environment, and she shares Encompass Health’s vision and commitment to exceptional patient care.”

Steely brings more than 27 years of clinical and administrative experience to her new role. She started her healthcare career as a staff occupational therapist at Patricia Neal Rehabilitation Center and has been promoted to numerous leadership roles at the hospital, including manager of rehabilitation services and director of clinical services. During her tenure, Patricia Neal Rehabilitation Center has received awards and recognitions for patient care and quality measures, including six top performer awards for patient satisfaction, recognition from the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities, and Covenant Health’s President’s Excellence Award. Steely received Trinity Health Foundation’s Silver Lamp Award, which focuses on maintaining excellence in healthcare through continuing education opportunities.

Steely obtained a bachelor’s degree in occupational therapy from the Eastern Kentucky University and a master’s degree in healthcare administration from the University of St. Francis in Illinois.

About Covenant Health

Covenant Health is an award-winning, not-for-profit Tennessee healthcare delivery system serving 23 counties and committed to providing excellent care for our 2 million+ patients each year. We fulfill our mission to improve the quality of life in our region through comprehensive services at nearly 150 locations, including 10 hospitals; outpatient clinics; specialized behavioral, oncology and rehabilitation facilities; home care; physician practices, and community programs. With more than 11,000 employees, physicians and volunteers, Covenant Health is the area’s largest employer and has been recognized by Forbes as a Best Employer seven times. 

About Encompass Health
Encompass Health (NYSE: EHC) is the largest owner and operator of rehabilitation hospitals in the United States. With a national footprint that includes 153 hospitals in 36 states and Puerto Rico, the Company provides high-quality, compassionate rehabilitative care for patients recovering from a major injury or illness, using advanced technology and innovative treatments to maximize recovery. Encompass Health is ranked as one of Fortune’s 100 Best Companies to Work For and Modern Healthcare’s Best Places to Work in Healthcare. For more information, visit encompasshealth.com, or follow us on our newsroom, Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

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