Luke Lawrimore has been named CEO of the future Altru Rehabilitation Hospital, a joint venture between Altru and Encompass Health. The 40-bed inpatient rehabilitation hospital, which is under construction at 4500 South Washington Street in Grand Forks, is expected to begin caring for patients in June 2022.
Lawrimore, who assumed the position on November 15, 2021, will be responsible for overseeing the future hospital’s day-to-day operations, as well as patient care and quality. The hospital will provide 24-hour nursing care and physical, occupational, and speech therapies to patients recovering from major illnesses and injuries including stroke, brain injury, spinal cord injury, amputation, and complex orthopedic conditions.
“We are thrilled to welcome Luke to Grand Forks to lead the team who will expand our rehabilitative care,” shared Janice Hamscher, Chief Nursing Officer at Altru. “Our collaboration with Encompass Health brings a nationally-trusted expert to our community to manage the operations of Altru Rehabilitation Hospital. We look forward to Luke’s leadership of these efforts.”
“Luke brings extensive clinical and leadership experience to his new role as CEO, including significant experience at Encompass Health. I am confident in his vision for the hospital and know that he will make incredible contributions to the future Altru Rehabilitation Hospital,” said Brad Kennedy, president of Encompass Health’s South Central region. “We look forward to opening this hospital, in partnership with Altru, expanding high-quality, rehabilitative care in the region, helping patients heal and find hope again through therapy services customized for their needs and goals.”
Lawrimore has served in multiple leadership roles at Encompass Health since 2015, including as therapy team leader and supervisor at Encompass Health of North Alabama and, most recently, in various leadership roles at Encompass Health of Dothan for the past three years, including rotations of director of therapy operations, interim director of case management, and hospital administrator. In his roles at Encompass Health of Dothan, Lawrimore was responsible for management of patient outcomes, patient experience and safety within the therapy department. He worked collaboratively with the director of quality and risk management to complete a root-cause analysis and implement safety measures to prevent falls and other adverse events. He also served as co-leader of the patient experience team, which was responsible for initiating, implementing and monitoring patient experience plans. He was an instructor for new hires and staff annual re-education requirements. Prior to joining Encompass Health, Lawrimore practiced as a physical therapist at multiple clinics in the Huntsville, Alabama area for eight years.
A licensed physical therapist with more than six years of leadership experience, Lawrimore completed his bachelor’s degree in biology at the University of Alabama and his doctorate of physical therapy at the University of St. Augustine. He is currently pursuing a dual master’s degree in business administration and healthcare leadership from Friends University, with an anticipated April 2022 graduation date.
About Altru Health System
Based in Grand Forks, North Dakota, Altru Health System is a physician-led, multispecialty group practice with an acute care hospital, Level II trauma center, specialty hospital, more than two dozen Grand Forks and regional practice locations, and a large home care network. Altru Health System was the first member of the Mayo Clinic Care Network, extending Mayo Clinic knowledge and expertise to the patients we serve. For more information, visit altru.org.
About Encompass Health
As a national leader in integrated healthcare services, Encompass Health (NYSE: EHC) offers both facility-based and home-based patient care through its network of inpatient rehabilitation hospitals, home health agencies and hospice agencies. With a national footprint that includes 145 hospitals, 249 home health locations, and 95 hospice locations in 42 states and Puerto Rico, the Company provides high-quality, cost-effective integrated healthcare. Encompass Health is ranked as one of Fortune’s 100 Best Companies to Work For. For more information, visit encompasshealth.com, or follow us on our newsroom, Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
