George Gilliam is CEO of Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Danbury, which debuted in September 2025. A physical therapist by training, he has 21 years of healthcare experience spanning ambulatory care, acute care, operations, emergency management and compliance.
Before joining Encompass Health, he served as vice president of operations for HCA Florida Northwest Hospital, where he oversaw rehabilitation services, respiratory therapy, security, laboratory services and food and nutrition.
Gilliam said one of the hospital’s most significant recent milestones was its first-quarter 2026 patient discharge results, with more than 88% of patients returning home, above the national average.
Looking ahead, Gilliam said a key challenge is distinguishing inpatient rehabilitation hospitals from skilled nursing facilities in Connecticut, where skilled nursing facilities are more commonly used. He said the organization has focused on educating case managers, patients and families about the level of care provided in the inpatient rehabilitation setting.
If you could change one thing in the healthcare industry, what would it be?
I would eliminate insurance barriers that limit access to inpatient rehabilitation hospitals. Insurance has made progress in volume versus value, but there is more opportunity to improve. I’d like to see reimbursement driven more by sustained outcomes that track a patient 90, 180 and even 365 days post-discharge.