Doug has more than 35 years of healthcare experience. He is a certified-public accountant, previously employed by KPMG Peat Marwick before joining Brooks in May 1991 as Vice President/Corporate Controller.
Mr. Baer has held various leadership positions before being appointed President and CEO in 2002. In this position, he has facilitated growth of the non-profit corporation from $55M to over $240M in revenue. Under his leadership, the Company has developed a rehabilitation system of care, which includes inpatient rehabilitation, skilled nursing, assisted living, memory care, outpatient therapy and home health care. The system helped over 60,000 people last year.
Brooks was also one of the first organizations in the country to test alternative payment models by successfully participating in Medicare’s Bundled Payment demonstration program.
In fulfilling the mission and commitment to the community Brooks provides community health programs which include: the region’s only adaptive sports and recreation programs for adults and children, multiple Neuro Recovery Centers to continue care after traditional therapies, the world’s first robotic treatment device that allows a patient to walk in a supported environment using their own internal signals to help improve walking, the State’s only Brain Injury Clubhouse and the Brooks Rehabilitation Aphasia Center.
Brooks also offers one of the leading therapy residency fellowship programs, a robust Institute for Higher Learning and collaborates closely with the regions higher education institutions and health providers to conduct rehabilitation research.
Recognized and well-known as a leader in the community, Mr. Baer is active in many boards and organizations. Born and raised in Jacksonville, Doug lives in Jacksonville Beach with his wife Laura and has three children.