Building Better Paths to Recovery

As CEO of Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Danbury, CT, George Gilliam, M.B.A. ’14, M.H.A. ’14, is helping shape the future of inpatient rehabilitation. Since the hospital’s opening in 2025, Gilliam has led the organization with a combination of clinical expertise and operational leadership, drawing on more than 21 years of healthcare experience.

A physical therapist by training, Gilliam brings a patient-centered perspective to executive leadership. Before joining Encompass Health, he served as vice president of operations at HCA Florida Northwest Hospital, where he oversaw a broad portfolio of rehabilitation services, respiratory therapy, laboratory services, security and nutrition operations. His background helped position him to lead a growing rehabilitation hospital focused on delivering measurable outcomes for patients and families.

One of the organization’s most notable achievements under Gilliam’s leadership came in early 2026, when more than 88% of patients discharged from the hospital were able to return home. This ranking surpasses the national average and underscores the effectiveness of specialized inpatient rehabilitation care.

Looking ahead, Gilliam is focused on one of the market’s biggest challenges: increasing awareness of the benefits of inpatient rehabilitation services. He believes reimbursement models should be less driven by volume and more by long-term patient outcomes, measuring success months after discharge to ensure lasting recovery and quality of life.