Edward A. Eckenhoff is the founder, President and Chief Executive Officer of the National Rehabilitation Hospital. In addition to being the largest, most comprehensive medical rehabilitation provider in the Washington-Baltimore area, NRH enjoys a national and international reputation for excellence and innovation in patient care. U.S. News & World Report consistently rates NRH among “America’s Best Hospitals.”
Mr. Eckenhoff received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Transylvania University in Kentucky. He completed a master’s degree in education at the University of Kentucky and subsequently a master’s degree in health care administration at the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. Before coming to Washington, he was Vice President and Administrator at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago.
Ed is a graduate of Transylvania University in Kentucky (B.S.), the University of Kentucky (M.Ed), and the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis (M.H.A.).
Mr. Eckenhoff has been an active member of many health-related organizations and community groups across the country. He currently serves on the District of Columbia Hospital Association Board of Directors. Mr. Eckenhoff is the immediate past chairman of the American Medical Rehabilitation Providers Association (AMRPA) and has also served as a member of the Board of Directors of the National Organization on Disability (NOD). He is a member of the Healthcare Research and Development Institute, Inc. (HRDI) and a fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE). Mr. Eckenhoff is a former trustee and member of the Executive Committee of the American Hospital Association.
He has served for more than a dozen years as a member of the Board of Directors of the Easter Seal Society for Disabled Children and Adults and has been active with the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), the American Occupational Therapy Foundation (AOTF) and the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA). He recently served on the judging panel for Modern Healthcare magazine’s “Healthcare Hall of Fame” and was chairman of the Betts Laureate Jury, which identifies the Henry Betts Award honoree for extraordinary contributions to improving the lives of people with disabilities.
Over the years, Mr. Eckenhoff’s leadership in the healthcare field has been recognized by various organizations. The American Medical Association awarded him the Citation of a Layman for Distinguished Service, the highest honor it bestows on a non-physician. He received the 1995 Meritorious Award from the American Occupational Therapy Foundation and the Brent England Exceptional Leadership Award from the American Hospital Association. In 1989, he was named "Washingtonian of the Year" by Washingtonian magazine. In 2001, Mr. Eckenhoff received the Regent’s Award from the American College of Healthcare Executives and was named “Alumnus of the Year” by Washington University School of Medicine, Hospital Administration Program. Transylvania University has bestowed an Honorary Doctorate in Humane Letters upon him along with their Distinguished Alumnus Award. And in 2003, Mr. Eckenhoff received the B’nai B’rith National Healthcare Award.