Solaris Rehab of Merritt Island

Pros

• Solaris HealthCare Merritt Island is described as bright, comfortable, clean, and welcoming.
• The social worker Virginia is friendly, responsive, and thorough, answering questions and concerns.
• The 500s wing nurses and CNAs (Cheyenne, Sarah, Sequita, Jennifer, Symone, Chantisse) are kind, knowledgeable, honest, helpful, and encouraging.
• Virginia Beard (Social Services) is noted for going above and beyond for patients and families.
• The rehab team (therapy, nursing, doctors, housekeeping, laundry, nutrition, and activities) is described as the best ever.
• Lisa M. at the front desk is welcoming, remembers names, and assists with transportation.
• The Riverside team, including nurses Dani, Sierra, Amanda, and CNAs Contessa, Kim, Shakira, Jordan, and Jennifer, are praised for compassionate care.
• Dennis Walker is highlighted as someone who goes the extra mile for residents.

Cons

• The facility is described as unprofessional and horrible, with staff bullying and harassing other staff members and management punishing the good staff rather than the bad ones.
• The staff are said to be unable to handle certain residents and unwilling to care for residents, with a lack of support from management and apparent favoritism that lets some staff get away with anything while others are punished.
• There is a perceived lack of fairness and protection for harassed staff.
• Three CNAs named Briana, Erin, and China are reportedly bullied and harassed repeatedly, with nothing really done about it.
• Nurse Mary Kummer is described as horrible, rude, and nasty to staff and residents, with a "I don't care" attitude and favoritism toward certain staff.
• Solaris is criticized for not protecting CNAs and not caring about them.
• The staff are described as lazy and having a negative attitude; the reviewer would not stay there again.
• The food is described as substandard, with past complaints about quality and a perception that a new chef was not hired; the question "Would you eat that food?" is invoked.

Review

The collection of experiences paints a broad and nuanced portrait of Solaris HealthCare, spanning multiple facilities and a wide range of emotions, from frustration and disappointment to deep appreciation and praise. Taken together, the accounts reveal a workplace where compassionate, dedicated staff can shine - and where serious concerns about management, fairness, and staff protection also surface. Across the board, residents and families repeatedly commend the warmth, professionalism, and competence of many caregivers, therapists, and social workers, while a subset of reviews highlights alarming interpersonal dynamics and administrative shortcomings that deserve attention.

One of the more troubling threads centers on a Merritt Island location, where one reviewer describes the atmosphere as unprofessional and toxic. The critic accuses staff of bullying and harassment among colleagues, and claims that management punishes the good staff while turning a blind eye to problematic behavior. Specific names surface in this complaint: CNAs Briana, Erin, and China are praised for being consistently bubbly, caring, and attentive to residents, yet are said to be the targets of mistreatment and lack of adequate action from management, especially a nurse named Mary Kummer, who is described as rude and favoritist. The reviewer stresses that there is a lack of fairness and protection for CNAs, calling on Solaris to do more to shield and support their frontline caregivers.

Another review signals a more blunt critique of morale and responsiveness, with a claim that some staff are lazy and negative, and that the overall experience would be undesirable if another option existed. A separate note about food quality - described as substandard - appears here as part of a broader dissatisfaction with care expectations not being met. Together, these comments sketch a dichotomy: while many patients and families report compassionate care, there are persistent concerns about workforce culture, accountability, and the consistency of frontline support in at least some units.

Amid the critique, several reviews offer compelling, well-deserved praise for individual staff members and teams who consistently rise to the occasion. A named social worker, Virginia Beard, is repeatedly highlighted for going above and beyond in her patient and family support, a theme echoed by other reviewers who single out the Social Services Department for their dedication. In the Merritt Island context, the wing-specific care teams also receive frequent commendations: Cheyenne, Sarah, Sequita, Jennifer, Symone, and Chantisse in particular are described as kind, knowledgeable, honest, and encouraging to residents. The sentiment is that these caregivers demonstrate exemplary bedside manner and professional commitment, even when the environment around them is challenging.

Therapy and nursing teams receive abundant praise for their competence and compassion. Reviewers repeatedly commend the rehabilitation staff - physical therapy, occupational therapy, and the broader therapy department - for their effectiveness and supportive approach, making a difficult recovery more manageable. Patients recovering from surgeries, such as total hip replacements, describe feeling cared for by a cohesive team that includes nurses, CNAs, therapists, doctors, and even housekeeping and nutrition staff. Comments emphasize that the entire ecosystem - therapy, nursing, social work, nutrition, activities - works together to support healing and progress, which bolsters confidence in the facility as a whole.

Several reviewers spotlight the Riverside location with particular warmth. The team under the supervision of Sara Bartrom, the unit manager, is repeatedly praised for their attentiveness and willingness to answer questions, with nurses Dani, Sierra, and Amanda singled out for their skill and reliability. CNAs Contessa, Kim, Shakira, Jordan, and Jennifer are named for their kindness and consistent attention to patients' needs. The Riverside reviewers also offer strong endorsements of the social work staff, including La Vonia Williams and LaShonda Drake, as well as discharge teams led by Virginia Bernard and other discharge coordinators who help families navigate transitions. The sense conveyed is that Riverside residents are in capable, caring hands, and that the front office and therapy teams contribute to a positive overall experience.

Beyond individual praises, several reviews paint Solaris as an overall excellent choice for rehabilitation and long-term care when care teams are aligned with residents' needs. Patients and families frequently credit the facility's atmosphere as welcoming and reassuring, describing facilities as bright, clean, and comfortable with a culture of greeting and support. The front desk staff, such as Lisa Merrel, receive special mention for memorable, personalized service - Lisa is repeatedly described as knowing residents and their family members, greeting people by name, and providing practical assistance that helps families feel supported and confident in the care plan. Other staff members - front desk personnel, therapists, and social workers - also receive gratitude for their reliability, memory, and willingness to assist.

In sum, the reviews reflect a facility system that contains both strong, positive experiences and serious warning signs. On the one hand, Solaris HealthCare is celebrated for its compassionate care teams, skilled therapy staff, dedicated social workers, and a culture of respect and warmth in many units. On the other hand, there are persistent concerns about staff bullying, favoritism, and inconsistent protections for frontline workers, alongside critiques about certain operational and dietary aspects that could be improved. The consistent thread across accounts is a high degree of appreciation for the individuals who go above and beyond - Virginia Beard and Virginia Bernard in social services, Sara Bartrom and her Riverside team, the CNAs Briana, Erin, China, and many others - alongside a call for stronger, fairer oversight to ensure that all staff feel protected, supported, and empowered to provide the quality of care every resident deserves.

This part of Merritt Island, Florida offers convenient access to various amenities and services essential for senior living. There are several pharmacies within a short distance, ensuring easy access to medications and healthcare needs. Additionally, numerous cafes and restaurants provide a variety of dining options for residents. For medical care, there are several physicians' offices and clinics nearby, along with hospitals in the vicinity. The area also features parks for recreation and relaxation. Furthermore, transportation options are available with the Port Canaveral Cruise Terminal within reach for those interested in travel. Overall, this part of Merritt Island provides a well-rounded environment suitable for seniors looking for a comfortable and accessible place to reside.

Pharmacies

• Walgreens (0.5 miles)
• Merritt Island Discount Pharmacy (2.3 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.4 miles)
• The Pharmacy (2.5 miles)
• Walgreens (2.8 miles)
• West Cocoa Pharmacy and Compounding (2.9 miles)
• Walmart Pharmacy (3.2 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (0.6 miles)
• Starbucks (2.4 miles)
• River Road Coffe & Pop (3 miles)
• Starbucks (6.3 miles)

Physicians

• Miguel Rivera (0.6 miles)
• Wuesthoff Pain Management Center (0.6 miles)
• Medical Center (0.6 miles)
• Wellness Center (0.7 miles)
• Weiss Newberry & Vliegenthart (0.8 miles)
• Brevard Family Walk In Clinic (0.9 miles)
• Ambulatory Surgical Center (1.2 miles)

Restaurants

• McDonald's (1.2 miles)
• Mitchell's Family Diner (2 miles)
• Causeway Diner (2.4 miles)
• Olive Garden (2.4 miles)
• Von Stephan Village Bier Garten (2.7 miles)
• George & Dragon English Tavern (2.8 miles)
• Margarita Island (2.8 miles)

Parks

• Lee Wenner Park (2.6 miles)
• Veterans Memorial Park (3.1 miles)
• Kings Park (3.7 miles)
• Manatee Sanctuary Park (5.5 miles)

Hospitals

• Rockledge Regional Medical Center (3.9 miles)
• Wuesthoff Health System (3.9 miles)
• Wuesthoff Medical Center-Rockledge (3.9 miles)
• Wuesthoff Hospital Emergency Heliport (3.9 miles)

Transportation

• Port Canaveral Cruise Terminal 5 (5.3 miles)