David Nicholas

Background

About David Nicholas

I’m a growth-focused healthcare executive with over 20 years of experience transforming hospitals into high-performing, high-reliability organizations. As Area CEO for Encompass Health, I led the expansion of a 22-bed legacy facility into a 100+ bed regional hospital network spanning two campuses. I’ve overseen three major capital buildouts totaling over $50M, driven >98% occupancy, and led award-winning teams to industry-leading outcomes. I specialize in strategic growth, turnaround leadership, post-acute operations, and integrating AI-powered tools to improve quality, efficiency, and patient experience. I’ve implemented an in-house dialysis unit, introduced data-driven operational frameworks, and continuously advanced Lean methodologies. My career is also defined by mentorship—I’ve precepted over 10 CEO candidates and served as a flagship site for Associate Administrator development. I believe in building both hospitals and people. Let’s connect if you're interested in bold growth, data-powered strategy, or reshaping the future of healthcare delivery.