New Danbury rehab hospital names CEO as it targets 2025 debut

Hartford Business Journal – Thursday, May 29, 2025
By David Krechevsky

A new 40-bed, inpatient rehabilitation hospital being constructed in Danbury now has a chief executive officer.

Encompass Health, the nation’s largest owner and operator of inpatient rehabilitation hospitals, is preparing to open Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Danbury at 50 Reserve Road later this year. On Thursday, the company announced it has appointed George Gilliam as CEO of the Danbury hospital.

The hospital is expected to open to patients in September, the organization said. A spokesperson said a specific date for the opening has not yet been set.

Gilliam, a physical therapist, has 21 years of healthcare experience, including 10 years of experience in ambulatory care, acute care, operations, emergency management and compliance, Encompass Health said.

He previously served as vice president of operations for HCA Florida Northwest Hospital in Margate, Florida. In that role, Gilliam was responsible for rehabilitation services, respiratory therapy, security, and food and nutrition.

Gilliam earned a Doctor of Physical Therapy from the University of St. Augustine, and holds an MBA and health administration master’s degree from Baylor University. He is also a fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives.

“George is a results-driven health care leader with significant experience in the rehabilitation setting,” said Mat Gooch, regional vice president of operations for Encompass Health. “He will have great success in building a strong team at Encompass Health Danbury, which will allow us to provide high-quality, compassionate care for our patients.”

A spokesperson for Encompass Health said the hospital expects to hire approximately 97 full-time employees in the first year, and have a total of 119 full-time employees in the second year. The spokesperson added that the Danbury hospital will conduct a hiring event from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on June 17 at Hotel Zero, 15 Milestone Road in Danbury.

Encompass Health Danbury is one of eight inpatient rehabilitation hospitals, including a satellite location, that Encompass Health is opening nationwide in 2025. It owns and operates 168 hospitals in 38 states and Puerto Rico.

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