Mary Free Bed Adds Seasoned Healthcare Professional to Lead Growth, Development of Rehabilitation Network
In a move to grow and develop the new Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Network, the hospital today welcomed seasoned healthcare executive Jeffrey S. Garber to its leadership team.

GRAND RAPIDS, MI, October 20, 2011 /24-7PressRelease/ -- In a move to grow and develop the new Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Network, the hospital today welcomed seasoned healthcare executive Jeffrey S. Garber to its leadership team.

In his new role as vice president of network development, Garber will be responsible for developing partnerships with regional healthcare providers and independent retirement communities across Michigan to expand the Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Network. He will also evaluate the feasibility of adding new or integrated inpatient programs, as well as facilitating their implementation.

Launched in June, the network is an innovative alliance of hospitals and providers formally integrated with an independent Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital. The network is designed to extend Mary Free Bed's expertise as one of the leading rehabilitation hospitals in the Midwest to other settings to create a seamlessly integrated system of rehabilitative care for patients.

"Jeff brings more than 25 years of experience in managing both acute care and specialized rehabilitation hospitals to his new role with Mary Free Bed," said CEO Kent Riddle. "He has a proven track record of both planning and doing, which makes him an exceptionally good fit for this newly created - and very key - position with us.

"We have been gratified by the strong response to the new Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Network. We continue to talk about the benefits of collaboration with health care providers, and look forward to accelerating the growth of the network under Jeff's leadership."

Garber has both national and international experience in healthcare, most recently as the CEO and principal of JSG Advisory Group in Sarasota. A comprehensive healthcare consulting company, JSG worked with clients on the development and implementation of strategic plans and centers of excellence, improving patient outcomes, increasing financial health and improving customer satisfaction.

He spent four years as CEO of Sultan Bin Abdulaziz Humanitarian City in Saudi Arabia, where he was responsible for opening and managing a 400-bed, $250 million state-of-the-art medical facility with more than 1,000 physicians and staff from more than 28 countries. In this role, Garber implemented comprehensive rehab programs in stroke, spinal cord injury, brain injury, pediatrics and related services, among other key activities.

Garber also spent six years in roles of increasing responsibility at HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospital of Sarasota, leaving in 200 as CEO and director of operations. During his tenure in Sarasota, he managed three inpatient rehab hospitals, eight outpatient clinics and more than 600 physicians and non-clinical staff. He was also instrumental in the acquisition of two outpatient rehab centers, securing a certificate of need to expand beds, launching alternative therapy programs and other initiatives.

Garber began his healthcare career at Tampa General Hospital, serving first as vice president of rehabilitation services and then as senior vice president of professional services. He spent nearly a decade in Tampa, where he had responsibilities for financial management, strategic planning, operations and marketing.

"Until I saw the 'lip dub' on CBS News, Grand Rapids was not on my radar," Garber said. "I watched the news and thought that this looked like a great community - and it is. I have been warmly welcome by the Mary Free Bed Community and West Michigan. I look forward to working with the team here to expand the reach of the Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Network."

Active professionally, he is a surveyor for the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities, section representative for the Southeast on the American Hospital Association Rehabilitation Governing Council, finance committee chair for the AHA Rehabilitation Section and a member of the National Association of Rehabilitation Facilities. He has also held leadership roles with the Florida Association of Rehabilitation Facilities, Florida Spinal Cord and Head Injury Advisory Council and other professional and community organizations.

Garber holds a bachelor of science in biology and chemistry from the University of Tampa and a master's of public health from the University of South Florida, also in Tampa.

He resides in Grand Rapids with this wife, Jo.

About Mary Free Bed
Founded more than 100 years ago, Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital is an 80-bed, not-for-profit, acute rehabilitation center. Its mission is to restore hope and freedom through rehabilitation to people with disabilities. Mary Free Bed offers comprehensive inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation for children and adults using an interdisciplinary approach. In 2011, the organization launched the Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Network, an innovative alliance of hospitals and providers designed to provide rehabilitation care for patients and families throughout Michigan. For more information, please visit www.maryfreebed.com, or call 800.528.8989.

Press Release Contact Information:

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