RehabCare Announces 2008 Award Winners

RehabCare Group, Inc. (NYSE:RHB) has announced its selection for 2008 employee awards. Eighteen individuals and teams are recipients of the Chairman’s Bell Award, while one employee has been awarded the Trusheim Spirit Award, considered to be the Company’s most distinguished award.

Nominated by their colleagues, Chairman’s Bell Award winners are employees who consistently demonstrate the Company’s core values of excellence, integrity, teamwork and fun while achieving operational effectiveness through demonstrated results. Named in honor of former RehabCare Board Chairman H. Edwin Trusheim, the Trusheim Spirit Award is awarded to the one employee each year that stands out among his or her peers in the areas of leadership, customer service, communication and commitment to company values.

"These employees, the best of the best, all have one thing in common: a passion for what they do and the people they serve, which drives them to an unyielding level of dedication,” remarked John H. Short, Ph.D., RehabCare President and Chief Executive Officer.

For Trusheim Spirit Award winner Pat Stauffer, RehabCare Program Director at Seven Acres Jewish Senior Care Center in Houston, TX, "not even a major hurricane could compromise her commitment to professional excellence and quality patient care,” said Dr. Short.

During Hurricane Ike last September, Stauffer remained around the clock at her badly damaged facility for six days, helping to feed and comfort residents and continuing to provide necessary therapy services with a skeleton staff, intermittent utilities and limited supplies.

"Pat is highly regarded as a strong, straightforward and compassionate leader, with a willingness to go above and beyond for the needs of her client, patients and staff. These are qualities she remains true to on a daily basis...even when tested,” commented Dr. Short.

Dr. Short said several of the Chairman’s Bell Award winners also were recognized for their courage during Hurricane Ike and determination in its aftermath to tend to patient needs and restore RehabCare operations. One example is the team at Clear Lake Rehabilitation Hospital, a RehabCare-owned facility, who worked non-stop in the hours before the hurricane to evacuate patients to safe locations, then returned to the building immediately afterwards to inspect the damage and organize a cleanup. Initially expected to be closed four to six weeks, the team readied the hospital to welcome back patients just 11 days after the storm.

"Each of our Chairman’s Bell winners has earned a reputation for superior performance, innovation and professionalism in the face of any challenge and a tireless commitment to our mission of helping people regain their lives,” said Dr. Short. "This award is an opportunity to let them know that their efforts and accomplishments have not gone unnoticed.”

The Chairman’s Bell was awarded to Liz Albritton, Program Director at Park Manor of Tomball (Tomball, TX); Kevin Allison, Physical Therapist Assistant for Park Manor of South Belt (Houston, TX); Caromont Rehab and Sports Medicine Team (Gastonia, NC); Central Kansas Medical Center Therapy Team (Great Bend, KS); Shannon Chiongbian, Physical Therapist at Valley Presbyterian Hospital (Van Nuys, CA); Clear Lake Rehabilitation Hospital (Webster, TX); the Contract Therapy Finance Team; Cathy Durham, Physical Therapist Assistant at Park Manor of Conroe (Conroe, TX); Fair Haven Retirement Community Therapy Team (Birmingham, AL); Emily Fehrenbacher, Program Director at Bethesda Southgate (St. Louis, MO); Mary Beth Fitzgerald, Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant at Park Manor of Conroe (Conroe, TX); Tonia Gander, Senior Business Analyst; Cheryl Gillihan, Community Relations Therapist for the St. Louis region, Northland LTAC Hospital (Kansas City, MO); Waccamaw Rehab Team (Murrells Inlet, SC); Walnut Hills Therapy Department (Austin, TX); Tim Wong, Physical Therapist Assistant at Saint Francis Memorial Hospital (San Francisco, CA); and Eric Yap, Program Director for Springfield Regional Medical Center (Springfield, OH).

To read more about the award winners, go to http://www.rehabcare.com.

Established in 1982, RehabCare is a leading provider of rehabilitation program management services in partnership with over 1,200 hospitals and skilled nursing facilities in 43 states. RehabCare also owns and operates freestanding rehabilitation and long-term acute care hospitals across the country.