HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospital of Austin

	Duke Saldivar
	Chief Executive Officer
	With more than 25 years of experience as a health care executive with Christus Healthcare, HCA St. David’s, and HealthSouth, Mr. Saldivar brings extensive acute and post acute rehabilitation leadership and expertise to HealthSouth Austin. Mr. Saldivar is a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin with a bachelor’s degree in medical technology MT(ASCP), and was awarded a master’s degree in health care administration from Texas Woman’s University in Houston. He is an associate of the American College of Healthcare Executives.

	Maria Elena Arizmendez
	Executive Medical Director
	Dr. Arizmendez is a Mayo Trained Board Certified Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation physician whose practice focuses on providing state-of-the-art rehabilitative care to patients with a wide spectrum of Neurologic Disorders and Peripheral Vascular Disease, including those at high risk for amputation. Her special interests include: rehabilitation technology (ITB therapy, Deep Brain Stimulation, Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation, Partial Body Weight Supported Treadmill Training, Functional Electrical Stimulation and Somatosensory Stimulation) as well as innovations in technology that might permit improved patient outcomes in a cost effective and efficient manner. Dr. Arizmendez is certified by the American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and is a member of the American Medical Association and the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.

	Steven Tynes, MD

	Dr. Tynes is chief of staff and medical director of trauma at HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospital of Austin. He specializes in physical medicine and rehabilitation, as well as sports medicine. Dr. Tynes graduated from Blinn College, Texas A&M University and Universidad de Monterrey (Mexico). Dr. Tynes completed a physical medicine and rehabilitation residency at Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas, as well as a fellowship in rehabilitation medicine at the Baylor Institute for Rehabilitation. He is board-certified in physical medicine and rehabilitation.

Mary Ann Lee, RN, MBA

Chief Nursing Officer

Lee brings more than 30 years of nursing experience to HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospital of Austin in her role as Chief Nursing Officer. She obtained her bachelor's degree in nursing from West Texas A&M University and her master's degree in business administration from the University of Mary Hardin Baylor.

Lee has an extensive history of healthcare management in psychiatric hospitals, rehabilitation hospitals and long term acute care hospitals where she has served in leadership executive and clinical roles. Her experience undoubtedly elevates the clinical care at the HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospital of Austin to the next level.

Brian C. Bowles, OTR

An Austin native, Brian began his quest to become an occupational therapist in 1989 after suffering a spinal cord injury and subsequent paraplegia following an automobile accident. In 1996, Mr. Bowles graduated from the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio with a bachelor’s degree in occupational therapy. He has worked in many settings, including geriatrics, pediatrics, school based therapy and inpatient rehabilitation but considers spinal cord injury to be his area of specialty. He has been with HealthSouth since 2000, beginning as a staff occupational therapist followed by promotions to OT manager and most recently in 2005, as director of therapy operations.

	Julie Oberstar
	DMO
	Julie Oberstar has worked in the healthcare field since 1991. She graduated from Mount Vernon Nazarene University in Ohio with a double major in psychology and sociology. Her experience includes roles as a licensed social worker, certified assisted living manager and director of marketing positions in skilled nursing facilities, assisted living, inpatient and long-term care hospitals. Oberstar also has lead marketing and operations teams in Ohio, Michigan and Texas and has worked with many community and professional groups to support health, wellness and awareness at all ages.

	Pamela McLaughlin

	Pam brings more than 26 years of healthcare financial management expertise to HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospital of Austin. She graduated from St. Mary’s with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and Economics. Pam began her career in healthcare as a Medicare Auditor. Her experience also includes hospital turn-arounds and start-ups. Her expertise in healthcare finance ranges from acute care hospitals, specialty hospitals, MSO's, physician practices and pharmaceuticals.

	Peter Berlin, Rph, MS

	With extensive experience as a clinical and administrative pharmacist, Peter is a direct contributor to the high quality delivery of pharmaceutical services at HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospital of Austin. He has experience in both hospital and retail pharmacies and prior to joining Healthsouth, Peter worked for the McLaren Healthcare System in Eastern Michigan. He graduated with a bachelor's degree in pharmacy from Ferris State University in Big Rapids, Mich., and has a master's degree in Healthcare Pharmacy Administration from Wayne State University in Detroit, Mich.

Wayne Cermak, RN, CPHQ, MBA

Wayne Cermak, RN, CPHQ, MBA, brings extensive experience in the field of nursing and quality to HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospital of Austin. He received his bachelor's degree in nursing from the University of Akron in Ohio and his master's degree from Baldwin-Wallace College in Berea, Ohio. He obtained his credentials as a Certified Professional of Healthcare Quality in 1991. With more than 30 years in nursing and more than 18 years in healthcare quality, Cermak compliments the senior management team at the hospital. His most recent experience as a healthcare professional in the private sector, specifically managed care, brings a new perspective to the inpatient rehabilitation arena.

	Ricky Nevels

	Ricky began his career in the United States Air Force where he received education in healthcare administration and logistics. He spent tours of duty in Louisiana, Texas and overseas in Italy. After retiring in 1996, he moved to Austin where he began managing facilities in various community hospitals. In 2000, Ricky became a member of the HealthSouth team where he currently directs the operations of the ancillary departments such as maintenance, housekeeping, food services and purchasing. Because of his extensive knowledge and experience, Ricky is frequently called to assist in training and orientation of new facilities managers throughout the Texas region.

	Deborah P Belcher, SPHR

	A skilled Human Resource specialist, Deborah has more than 20 years experience in a variety of industries to include healthcare, telecommunications, computer manufacturing and asset management. She earned her bachelor's degree in Human Resource Management from St. Edwards University, is certified as a Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR), as well as a Certified Personnel Consultant (CPC), and has completed specialized training to become a credentialed mediator. Deborah is a member of the Society for Human Resource Management and a member of the local AHRMA.

	Cyndie Lefler, RN

	Cyndie received her nursing degree at Angelo State University in west Texas. Native to Austin, Texas, she brings more than 10 years of management experience to her position as director of HealthSouth at Home at HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospital of Austin. Prior to joining HealthSouth, Cyndie was an administrator for another Austin-based home health agency. She brings a great diversity of experience to HealthSouth, including employment at Texas Medical Foundation for more than 10 years where she gained extensive knowledge of Medicare, utilization review, quality assurance and peer review. She also worked at an Austin long-term acute care hospital, where she was responsible for community outreach, risk/quality management and case management.