Loretta Rice has been appointed as chief executive officer of Rehabilitation Hospital of Athens. The hospital, under construction at 1083 Parkway Blvd., is a joint venture with Piedmont Healthcare. The hospital is a 40-bed inpatient rehabilitation hospital and is expected to open to patients in February 2025 

Rice joins Encompass Health with 24 years of healthcare experience, most recently as a regional director of operations. She has held various senior management roles where she managed and directed fiscal operations, led clinical and compliance teams and recruited high-level physicians.

“I am excited to serve the community of Athens by providing exceptional rehabilitation services,” said Rice. “We are set for success with the new hospital and state-of-the-art equipment. Our team will set the standard and lead with empathy so our patients can get back to living life.” 

“Loretta is a highly accomplished healthcare leader with proven success in recruitment and development, quality management and customer satisfaction,” said Ronnie Wagley, president of Encompass Health’s South Atlantic region. “With her strategic mindset and focus on patient and hospital settings, I am confident this hospital will serve the Athens community well.”

“I am excited to welcome Loretta to Athens and work with her to create seamless transitions of care from Piedmont Athens Regional to Encompass Health’s new rehabilitation hospital,” said Michael Burnett, chief executive officer of Piedmont Athens Regional Medical Center. “Throughout her career, Loretta has demonstrated a dedication to high-quality patient care, and I believe she will continue to deliver that here, close to home.”

Rice earned her master’s degree in business administration from Brenau University and bachelor’s degree in nursing from Emory University. Rice is a member of the American College of Healthcare Executives and has been previously recognized by Becker’s Hospital Review with the “132 Administrators To Know” list.