Encompass Health names new home health and hospice CEO

Encompass Health appointed Barbara Jacobsmeyer as CEO of its home health and hospice segment, the company announced Monday.

She succeeds April Anthony, whose last day was June 18.

Jacobsmeyer previously served as president of inpatient hospitals for Encompass Health, a role that the company President and CEO Mark Tarr will fill until further notice, the company said. Jacobsmeyer will still report to Tarr.

“It’s an honor to be named CEO of home health and hospice. I look forward to building on our strong foundation developed by April and her broad and deep team. We will continue to provide high-quality, cost-effective home health care and hospice services to our patients,” Jacobsmeyer said in a statement.

Jacobsmeyer was named to her most recent role in December 2016. She first joined Encompass Health, which was known then as HealthSouth, in 2007, serving as president of the central region from 2012-2016 and as CEO of the Rehabilitation Hospital of St. Louis, a partnership of BJC HealthCare and HealthSouth, from 2007-2012, the company said. Before that, she was COO of Des Peres Hospital in St. Louis.

Jacobsmeyer earned her bachelor’s degree in physical therapy from St. Louis University and her master’s degree in health services management from Webster University, the company said.

“Barb is a proven leader with extensive healthcare operating experience,” Tarr said in a statement. “Supported by an award-winning culture and innovative technologies, the home health and hospice business is poised for continued success. We are confident that Barb is the right person to lead this business going forward.”

Inpatient rehabilitation hospital and home health operator Encompass Health in December said it was looking at options for its home health and hospice segment. At the time, the company said “a range of options are under consideration,” including separating the home health and hospice business through an initial public offering, spin-off, merger or sale. On Monday, the company said the board of director’s review of strategic alternatives for the segment was “well underway” and that the company would likely provide an update during its second quarter earnings release in late July.

Encompass Health operates 140 hospitals, 250 home health locations and 94 hospice locations in 42 states and Puerto Rico.