Memorial Hermann Appoints Rhonda Abbott as Senior Vice President and Chief Executive Officer of TIRR Memorial Hermann

HOUSTON, TX -- Memorial Hermann Health System has named Rhonda Abbott the new senior vice president and chief executive officer of TIRR Memorial Hermann. In this role, Abbott will oversee TIRR Memorial Hermann’s continued excellence in rehabilitative care, research and education across the system, effective immediately.

“Rhonda has been pivotal in strategically growing and expanding TIRR Memorial Hermann, leading therapy teams across the network to enhance the lives of countless patients,” said Greg Haralson, SVP, CEO, Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center Campus. “Known for her unwavering dedication, operational strength and results-oriented focus, Rhonda will continue to ground our organization as a leader in medical rehabilitation and research and as a provider of exceptional patient experiences.”

For 19 years, Abbott has held many pivotal positions within TIRR Memorial Hermann. She started her career as a staff therapist in the spinal cord injury and specialty rehabilitation program and earned successive promotions to director of therapy services and director of clinical programs and vice president of operations, and now CEO. Under her leadership, TIRR across the Memorial Hermann Rehabilitation Network by driving clinical care redesign initiatives, translational research efforts, expansion of therapy education programs and length of stay improvements. She also managed efforts for TIRR to earn the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) accreditations across multiple Memorial Hermann Rehabilitation Network locations.

“I am humbled by this appointment and proud to lead TIRR Memorial Hermann by providing exemplary clinical care, expanding and translating evidence-based practices, and advancing education and advocacy,” said Abbott. “I look forward to the future of TIRR Memorial Hermann and Memorial Hermann’s Rehabilitation Network as we continue to redefine rehabilitation through innovation and empower patients to achieve a higher quality of life.”

Abbott is on the board of directors for the American Medical Rehabilitation Providers Association, a member of the American Physical Therapy Association and American College of Healthcare Executives, a Texas Physical Therapy Association Tom Waugh Leadership Development Fellow, a champion of Women Leaders of Memorial Hermann, a graduate of the Center for Houston’s Future Business/Civic Leadership Forum and an advocate for the ReelAbilities Film Committee. Abbott holds a master’s degree in business administration from West Texas A&M University, a master’s in science in physical therapy from Texas Woman’s University and a bachelor’s degree from Texas A&M University.

Prior to this appointment, Abbott has served as interim SVP and CEO of TIRR Memorial Hermann, succeeding Jerry Ashworth who was named SVP and CEO of Memorial Hermann Cypress Hospital and Memorial Hermann Katy Hospital in September 2020.