From Adversity to Leadership: Driving Excellence in Post-Acute Rehabilitation Across Florida
From Foster Care to Healthcare Leadership: Breaking Barriers and Empowering Others
As Regional Manager at Select Rehabilitation, one of the nation’s leading providers of contract rehabilitation services, I oversee multidisciplinary therapy teams dedicated to restoring independence and quality of life for patients recovering from injury, illness, or surgery. My career in post-acute care spans progressive roles at Reliant Rehabilitation, CHS, Paragon Rehabilitation, and now Select, where I manage regional operations, navigate complex regulatory environments, and lead teams through staffing and operational challenges to deliver exceptional patient outcomes.
My journey began in a difficult childhood that demanded early maturity and adaptability. By my mid-teens, I entered foster care and navigated multiple placements—experiences that instilled a profound commitment to resilience and self-determination. These early challenges fueled my pursuit of education and professional growth: I completed high school, earned a college degree, and built a career in healthcare rehabilitation, advancing from direct care roles to senior leadership.
Beyond professional accomplishments, my greatest achievement is the stable, supportive environment I created for my children. Today, they are thriving adults with successful careers—a direct result of my deliberate focus on breaking generational patterns through education, perseverance, and opportunity. This personal success reinforces the broader impact I seek in my work: empowering others to overcome obstacles.
In leadership, I have consistently advocated for women in the field, mentoring emerging professionals on career advancement, work-life integration, and self-advocacy in demanding, operations-focused environments. I prioritize building collaborative, empathetic teams that drive meaningful change—whether helping stroke survivors regain speech, enabling seniors to walk independently, or supporting patients’ safe returns home.
My story demonstrates that origins do not define potential. Through relentless pursuit of education, strategic career progression, and a focus on mentoring, any individual can effect lasting change—for themselves, their families, and their communities.
I am honored to contribute to Florida’s healthcare landscape and remain committed to lifting others as I continue to advance in rehabilitation leadership. Resilience is not merely enduring hardship; it is transforming it into sustained progress and collective empowerment.
