About us
About Us
Manchester Rehab and Healthcare Center has built a reputation for providing five-star service from staff that treats you like their own. Whether you need short-term rehab, respite services, or end-of-life care, you can count on our specialists to prioritize your comfort and wellbeing at every step.
Our Mission
At Manchester Rehabilitation and Healthcare our mission is to nurture and care for our residents and their families, with the goal of optimizing independence and safeguarding dignity while providing a warm and compassionate home-like environment.
Awards and accreditations
Meeting Your Needs
We abide by comprehensive, patient-first standards to ensure the best experience possible for our residents and their families:
- Patients accepted on a 24-hours a day, seven days per week basis
- Daily briefing of physicians updates and nurses’ notes to case managers
- State of the art amenities like indoor lounges, personalized dining plans, and hotel-quality accommodations
- Participation with Medicare and many managed care organizations and HMOs
Our Team
Brandon Munson
Administrator
Brandon Munson is an experienced senior care executive and licensed Nursing Home Administrator with more than 20 years of leadership experience in skilled nursing, assisted living, healthcare operations, and strategic management. He has led organizations through ownership transitions, regulatory challenges, census growth, quality improvement initiatives, and culture-change efforts focused on resident-centered care.
Brandon is known for his collaborative leadership style and his ability to build strong alliances with hospitals, physicians, and community partners. His work is grounded in operational discipline, compliance, team development, and service excellence, with a focus on improving outcomes for residents, supporting staff, and building high-performing healthcare communities.
Doudelyne Desir
Director of Nursing
Doudelyne Desir is a dedicated and experienced nursing professional with a career in healthcare spanning well over a decade. Her passion for patient care was rooted early in her career in New York, where she began her nursing education and took her first steps into the healthcare field.
Doudelyne furthered her academic journey at Jersey College of Nursing, where she earned her Registered Nurse licensure, holding active RN credentials in both New York and Connecticut. This dual-state licensure reflects her commitment to professional excellence and her readiness to serve diverse patient populations.
She joined the Manchester Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center team on September 1, 2022, stepping into the role of Rehab Unit Manager and Short-Term Rehab Unit Manager. In this capacity, she oversees the day-to-day clinical operations of the rehabilitation unit, ensuring that patients receive compassionate, high-quality, goal-oriented care.
Doudelyne brings a steady leadership presence to her team and a genuine dedication to helping patients regain their independence and return home stronger.
Deborah Abankwa
Director of Admissions
Deborah Abankwa is the Director of Admissions at Manchester Rehab and Healthcare. Deborah enjoys helping residents and families with their healthcare needs. She graduated from Zenith College in Ghana with a Diploma in Business Administration in 2011. She then went to Manchester Community College to obtain certificate in General studies. She started working in healthcare as a CNA in 2013 at Manchester Rehab formally Manchester Manor. In 2019 she became the unit secretary at Manchester Rehab. In 2023 she received multiple promotions to Admissions Assistant, Interim Director of Admissions (for 4 months) as well as one of the Regional Admissions Coordinators for Atlas all in the same year. She also has experience working in the Hospital setting having worked at Saint Francis Hospital in 2017. Deborah looks forward to meeting you and helping with your healthcare needs
Emma Figueroa
Director of Administrative Services
Emma has been working in the Healthcare industry since 1993. Her experience, knowledge and love for people is what makes her a great asset to Manchester Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center team.
Emma started her career as Nursing Assistant, moving to Unit clerk, then Payroll/HR for the same company, after 18 years decided to take a position as a Business office Assistant then Business Office Manager working with residents, and all aspects of Medicaid billing. As she returned the Payroll/HR committed to assist staff to create a happy and safe place to work.
Stephanie Laflash
Director of Food Services
I have been the Food Service Director at Manchester Rehab and Healthcare for over 5 years, but have worked with the company for most of my Food Service career. I started working in the Dietary department at our sister facility, learning every position in the department. I then transferred to Rehab and Healthcare to become the full time night cook. After almost 2 years I left to take on my first management position. I later returned to become Rehab and Healthcare Food Service Director. I couldn’t be more thrilled to work with such an amazing team who take pride in what they do. I was able to use my culinary skills to incorporate more homemade dishes and baked goods. Our Dietary team goes above and beyond to ensure our patients/residents are happy with their meals. We offer a wide variety of special menu items to ensure everyone not only eats, but genuinely enjoys their food.
Gary Hawes
Director of Environmental Services
Gary has worked at Manchester Rehab and Healthcare since 2018. Prior to that he worked at Seabury Meadows for 18 years, and Windsor Hall Rest Home for 6.5 years, dating back to 1993. So in total he has been in Healthcare managing maintenance and housekeeping departments for 28 years. Since 1990 Gary has held a State of Connecticut E2 Electricians License. Gary is also a CAPS (certified againg in place specialist). Gary excells at using his construction and troubleshooting experience when it comes to finding and diagnosing issues within the Physical plant. He is current with life safety regulations and interacts with staff and residents on a daily basis to keep them safe.
Jennifer Crespo
Director of Rehabilitation
Jennifer Crespo has been the Director of Rehabilitation Services at Manchester Rehab and Healthcare since 2010. Graduate from Champlain College. A caring and passionate therapist for 26 years of clinical experience well versed in a broad range of programming, treatments, and modalities for restoring function and mitigating disability. Expertise in treating adult and geriatric population. Jennifer began her career as a certified nursing ssistant, progressing to a treating therapist and then Rehab Manager within the 3rd year of her career.
Brey-anna Santana
Director of Social Services
While I am a newer addition to the Manchester Rehabilitation & Health Care Center, I aspire to invest the same longevity in the organization that many of my dedicated colleagues have. As the Director of Social Services, I take great pride in advocating for underserved and vulnerable populations. My background in positions including home health aide, recovery support staff, and patient service representative provide me with the ability to better serve our patients/residents.
Get in touch
Click below to learn more about the care options available at Manchester Rehab and Healthcare and plan your visit.
