Rita Harvey MD

Dr. Rita Harvey, a physiatrist, began her Federal government career in March 2012, serving as the Chief of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at the Central Alabama Veterans Healthcare System where she oversaw a staff of specialties such as PM&R, PT, OT, ST, audiology, and administration. During her tenure, Blind Rehabilitation was added to the service early in 2013, with Recreation Therapy following later that year.  Dr. Harvey also served as Interim Associate Chief of Staff for Geriatric Extended Care and Rehabilitation from March 2014 – January 2015.  Dr. Harvey most recently served as the Chief of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at the G.V. Sonny Montgomery VAMC from April, 2016- 4/2020 with staff of specialties of PM&R physician, Pain Interventionalist, PT, OT, ST, RT, Behavior pain psychologist and started the WH program. In April, 2020- current,  Dr. Harvey was named the Deputy COS at GV Sonny-Montgomery VAMC. She also served as acting COS at GV Sonny-Montgomery VAMC from 6/2021-12/2021.

Dr. Harvey has more than 20 years of diverse work, management, and leadership experiences as a physician executive. She is a self-directed professional, who uses excellent communication, interpersonal and problem solving skills to build consensus and promote teamwork. 

Prior to joining VA, Dr. Harvey was the owner/physician of Health and Rehabilitation Specialists, P.C., a general physical medicine and rehabilitation practice serving the local communities of East Alabama. Her physical medicine outpatient clinics established an amputee clinic, served as the community expert in the issuance of mobilized devices, operated the main EMG clinics for the communities and hospital, and operated a pain management clinic, which also assisted the local VA when they did not have an available physiatrist.

Dr. Rita Harvey is a native Mississippian. She and her husband, Tim, have four adult children. She completed her undergraduate degree at Jackson State University, her medical school degree at the University of California, Davis and her residency in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at the University of Alabama, Birmingham. She is board certified in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and in Electro-diagnostic Medicine.  Dr. Harvey will continue to practice medicine as a physician in the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service.