Dr. Mike De Cardenas, Founder

Dr. Mike De Cardenas is the founder and first medical director of West Gables Rehabilitation Hospital. With nearly 40 years of experience in physical medicine and rehabilitation, he has helped build numerous rehabilitation hospitals, outpatient therapy centers and skilled nursing facilities. Early in his career, he envisioned creating a healing space where care quality exceeded expectations and patients felt at home. Dr. De Cardenas’ dedication, commitment and vision of creating a lifelong caring and culturally sensitive environment for the South Florida community came to fruition with the opening of West Gables Rehabilitation Hospital in 1988.

Dr. De Cardenas has served as corporate medical director for Preferred Care, an operator of over 110 skilled nursing facilities for the past 30 years. Prior to that served as medical director for Continental Medical Systems, HealthSouth and Rehab Care. He has also served as an advisor in the development of rehabilitation hospitals and outpatient centers in Spain, Mexico and Central and South America.

Dr. De Cardenas earned his medical degree from Universidad Autonoma de Guadalajara in Zapopan, Mexico. He completed his training in physical medicine and rehabilitation and a fellowship in cardio-pulmonary rehabilitation at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas.