Ivy Rehab Announces CEO Transition: Jason Strauss to Succeed Michael Rucker as Chief Executive Officer

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y., March 19, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Ivy Rehab ("Ivy" or the "Company"), a provider of outpatient adult and pediatric physical, occupational and speech therapy, as well as ABA services, announced today that Michael Rucker, its Chief Executive Officer since 2017, will retire effective April 30, 2025. Michael will continue to support the organization and leadership team as a member of the Board of Directors. Jason Strauss has been appointed as Ivy's new CEO as well as a member of its Board of Directors and will lead the Company's next phase of growth and innovation.

Under Rucker's leadership, which has centered on People and Culture, Ivy has grown and transformed into one of the industry's largest outpatient therapy providers. Some of the Ivy team's major accomplishments during his tenure include:

• Establishing Ivy as a premier destination for talent with 6,000+ teammates, and an emphasis on teammate engagement and retention
• Achieving "Exceptional" clinical care recognition by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, the highest MIPS Performance Tier ranking
• Growing the clinic footprint from 55 to 650+ locations, serving millions of lives across the nation's Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, Southeast and Midwest regions
• Driving same-store, De Novo and M&A growth
• Developing the nation's largest pediatric outpatient physical, occupational, speech, and ABA therapy provider, Ivy Rehab for Kids, with 150+ locations

Strauss is stepping into a well-established, proven leadership team at Ivy and is poised to guide the Company to continued success. Jason brings nearly 20 years of healthcare industry experience, having most recently served as CEO of SCA Health, a multibillion-dollar ambulatory surgery center provider with 320 surgical facilities, 11,300 teammates, and 9,200 physicians serving more than 1.43 million patients each year. Additionally, Strauss served as Optum Health's Chief Operating Officer. Prior to being appointed CEO of SCA Health, Strauss held multiple different roles starting as an analyst in the organization and holding the senior leadership roles in the organization including Group President, COO, and President.

"I am honored and excited to take on the role of CEO at Ivy Rehab," said Jason Strauss. "The foundation that Michael and the leadership team have built is exceptional, and I look forward to working alongside the team to drive the next chapter of growth while continuing to invest meaningfully in people, culture, and innovation in order to best care for the patients we serve."

David Neighbours, Chairman of Ivy's Board of Directors and Senior Advisor to Waud Capital Partners, Ivy's private equity sponsor, shared: "Under Michael's leadership, Ivy has been transformed. His commitment to culture has set a high standard that will continue to guide Ivy into the future. The Board is excited to begin working with Jason as we seek to further establish Ivy as a leader in our industry. Jason's experience, vision, and dedication to people, align perfectly with the Company's values. We have no doubt that under Jason's leadership Ivy will continue its strong momentum."

Rucker also shared his enthusiasm for the transition, stating, "It has been an incredible journey leading Ivy Rehab over the past eight years, and I could not be prouder of what we have accomplished. I have great confidence in Jason's commitment and capability to fulfill Ivy's mission to inspire and enable people to live life to the fullest. Jason's humility and integrity, deep industry experience, and passion for developing leaders make him the perfect choice to lead Ivy into the future. Simply put, Jason makes Ivy better!"

About Ivy Rehab

Founded in 2003, Ivy Rehab is a growing network of best-in-class adult and pediatric outpatient physical, occupational, speech therapy, and ABA clinics throughout the United States dedicated to providing exceptional care, personalized treatment, and unparalleled outcomes. Ivy Rehab will continue its strategic growth in communities seeking improved access to care via investment in teams and partners who embrace a shared mission, vision, and values and a culture of being "All About the People." For more information, visit www.ivyrehab.com.

About Waud Capital

Founded by Reeve B. Waud, and based in Chicago, Waud Capital Partners is a growth-oriented private equity firm with over 30 years of investing experience. Waud Capital seeks to partner with experienced management teams to build market-leading companies within two industries: software & technology and healthcare. Since its founding in 1993, Waud Capital has successfully completed more than 480 investments, including platform companies and follow-on opportunities. For additional information on Waud Capital, please visit www.waudcapital.com.

Investment Professional Contacts:
Kyle Lattner, Partner
[email protected]

Mike Lehman, Principal
[email protected]

SOURCE Waud Capital Partners