Shepherd Center

Shepherd Center Founded in 1975, Shepherd Center is ranked by U.S. News & World Report among the top 10 rehabilitation hospitals in the nation.
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Shepherd Center provides world-class clinical care, research, and family support for people experiencing the most complex conditions, including spinal cord and brain injuries, multi-trauma, traumatic amputations, stroke, multiple sclerosis, and pain. Shepherd Center is a private, not-for-profit hospital devoted to the medical care and rehabilitation of people with spinal cord injury and disease, acquired brain injury, multiple sclerosis and other neuromuscular problems. Shepherd Center is a 152-bed facility and annually admits about 900 people to its inpatient programs and 540 people to its day patient programs. In addition, Shepherd Center sees more than 7,300 people annually on an outpatient basis.

March is Brain Injury Awareness Month, recognizing those affected by concussions, stroke, traumatic brain injuries (TBI)...
03/13/2026

March is Brain Injury Awareness Month, recognizing those affected by concussions, stroke, traumatic brain injuries (TBI), acquired brain injuries (ABI), and other neurological conditions. While many brain injuries are invisible, at Shepherd Center, we see the person behind every injury and understand how much awareness matters.

When we use our voices together, we help survivors feel seen and supported, bringing greater awareness to an injury that is often unnoticed and misunderstood.

This March, join us as we raise awareness about brain injury and support survivors. Your voice makes a difference.

03/12/2026

For Brain Injury Awareness Month, occupational therapist Emily Godshall, MS, OTR/L, and physical therapist Christine Cook, PT, DPT, NCS, answer common myths and questions about brain injuries.

Can a brain injury cause you to speak a different language?

What symptoms should you look for in a brain injury?

Can you only sustain a brain injury by hitting your head?

Emily and Christine break it all down in a simple, accessible way to help bring clarity to a topic that affects so many.

Watch the video now to learn more about brain injuries—then share it to help us spread awareness and make a difference this March.

At Shepherd Center, our dietitians are essential members of the interdisciplinary team, providing expert nutrition care ...
03/11/2026

At Shepherd Center, our dietitians are essential members of the interdisciplinary team, providing expert nutrition care to our inpatient and outpatient populations. From nutrition assessments and patient education, our registered dietitians play a vital role in recovery and rehabilitation.

They collaborate closely with physicians, nurses, pharmacists, therapists, and food service professionals to ensure each patient receives individualized, evidence-based medical nutrition therapy.

Our nutrition team advances Shepherd’s mission by guiding standards of care, mentoring dietetic interns, strengthening policies and procedures, and ensuring nutrition interventions reflect evidence-based best practices.

Today, we honor the compassion, expertise, leadership, and dedication of our registered dietitians who help fuel healing and transform lives.

03/10/2026

As we move into 2026, we’re celebrating Shepherd Center’s next chapter with our updated “Hope is Here” campaign, and our newest elevator wraps are here.

These designs highlight the everyday moments of connection, heart, and possibility happening across our campuses. You can now see them throughout the campus, including at the hospital, Shepherd Pathways, 80 Peachtree Park, the Arthur M. Blank Family Residences, and the Marcus Center for Advanced Rehabilitation.

Hope is everywhere at Shepherd — even in the places you least expect.

Stop by and check them out!

Stephen Foss, a former high school basketball coach, has always loved the sport, so recreation therapist Arden Marini kn...
03/09/2026

Stephen Foss, a former high school basketball coach, has always loved the sport, so recreation therapist Arden Marini knew exactly where his first community outing should be: an Atlanta Hawks game.

With a donor’s gift of five tickets, Arden joined Stephen and his father for a memorable night. It was Stephen’s first outing, and despite some initial nerves, he skillfully navigated the crowds in his sip-and-puff chair and even overcame his fear of people staring at him.

With support from his therapist and donors at Shepherd, Stephen found the joy of returning to an environment he loves.

Now, Stephen and his father feel even more hopeful as they prepare to return home to Florida after discharge.

Hope is different for everyone. For Stephen and his father, hope is an Atlanta Hawks game.

We are proud to announce that Shepherd Center has been awarded the Georgia Hospital Association Circle of Excellence Awa...
03/06/2026

We are proud to announce that Shepherd Center has been awarded the Georgia Hospital Association Circle of Excellence Award, recognizing a long-standing commitment to patient safety and quality. This is a reflection on our team's dedication to providing the best possible care.

“We are pleased to honor Shepherd Center for their innovative approach to improving patient safety,” said Georgia Hospital Association president and CEO Caylee Noggle. “Their efforts have improved patient outcomes and enhanced the care journey for their patients. We are grateful for their efforts.”

Additionally, our team earned second and third place in the Specialty category for two major quality improvement projects:

Second Place: Workflow-Driven Improvements in Modified Diet Monitoring and Documentation — a multidisciplinary effort to improve communication, streamline documentation, and enhance safety for patients on modified diets.

As speech-language pathologist Melissa Kast, SLP, MA, CCC, CBIS, shared, “Our goal is for our patients to achieve the best outcomes possible, and adhering to swallowing precautions or modified diets reduces the risk of aspiration and improves overall outcomes.”

Third Place: Turning the Tide on Pressure Injuries — an initiative using specialized equipment and collaboration to reduce hospital-acquired pressure injuries.

Wound care specialist Kimberly Levenson, RN, CRRN, noted, “Our population is one of the most at-risk for developing pressure injuries post-injury.”

As Mariana V. Gattegno, MPH, CPHQ, CPHFH, director of quality and outcomes, said:

“This recognition is a reflection of Shepherd Center’s deep commitment to building systems that prioritize patient safety at every level.”

Congratulations to our teams for putting patient safety first every day, not only improving patients’ recovery, but also their overall well-being.

What started as a simple act of kindness has turned into one of the sweetest reminders of what hope looks like at Shephe...
03/06/2026

What started as a simple act of kindness has turned into one of the sweetest reminders of what hope looks like at Shepherd Center.

Maggie, one of our adolescent patients, made a handmade “Porch” sign for Peter, one of our adult patients who loves to sit outside his room and greet anyone passing by. It was meant to be a small gesture...but then something special happened.

Little by little, more people started adding to Peter’s porch. A lounge chair here, fake grass there, a small plant, etc.

This is what hope looks like at Shepherd, when one patient’s small gestures grow into more, making recovery easier when you're supported by others.

Hope is bonding with one another.

Hope is the porch we build together.

Josh Dowd offers a joyful and hopeful outlook on life after sustaining a traumatic brain injury during an attack in 2021...
03/05/2026

Josh Dowd offers a joyful and hopeful outlook on life after sustaining a traumatic brain injury during an attack in 2021. Josh was in a minimally conscious state for nearly three weeks. Given the severity of his injury and his remarkable progress, those around him regard Josh as a true medical miracle.

Josh deeply values the close friendships that he credits with saving his life during difficult times. His recovery has been a steady journey, with the goal of walking independently again. Embracing resilience and humor, Josh’s portrait reflects his personal growth and determination.

For Josh, hope means living positively in the present and doing what brings happiness. Josh encourages others facing similar obstacles to keep moving forward, take rest when needed, and then return to pursuing their goals. His plan for this year is simple: to get back to being Josh (but a little bit better).

"I just want people to be happy about something in their life… It's all about what makes you happy."

In 2025, Josh took part in Shepherd Center’s Portraits of Hope, an exhibit showcasing the transformative journey of healing through portraiture, storytelling, and creative collaboration. You can read more about it in the winter issue of Spinal Column.

📸: Rowin Hernandez

This week, we were honored to welcome Dr. Jayne Morgan, cardiologist, researcher, and creator of “The Stairwell Chronicl...
03/04/2026

This week, we were honored to welcome Dr. Jayne Morgan, cardiologist, researcher, and creator of “The Stairwell Chronicles,” for a powerful Black History Month program at Shepherd Center. Known for translating complex medical topics into clear, accessible conversations, Dr. Morgan inspired all of us throughout her discussion.

Introduced by Mariana Volpini Gattegno, MPH, CPHQ, CPHFH, director, quality and outcomes management, and moderated by Deandra Shields, PT, DPT, a physical therapist at SHARE Military Initiative, the conversation explored the importance of representation in medicine and research. Dr. Morgan shared that seeing Black physicians in her own neighborhood as a child made the idea of becoming a doctor feel possible, and that she now uses her platform to open doors for others.

They spoke candidly about rebuilding trust in communities historically underserved and why representation in clinical trials—including people of color and women—is critical.

With February also marking American Heart Month, Dr. Morgan emphasized one foundation of heart and brain health: sleep. Even physicians, she noted, are trained to push through exhaustion, but none of us thrive without rest.

Dr. Morgan closed by sharing her hope for the next generation of healthcare leaders, especially as AI, digital health, and data innovation begin to reshape research and affect health equity.

We are grateful to Dr. Morgan for sharing her wisdom and for reminding us that representation moves healthcare forward.

In May 2022, Elias Hiskey sustained an incomplete spinal cord injury in a trampoline accident and was paralyzed from the...
03/03/2026

In May 2022, Elias Hiskey sustained an incomplete spinal cord injury in a trampoline accident and was paralyzed from the chest down. Before transferring to Shepherd Center, doctors predicted he would likely never walk again.

But Elias was determined to prove otherwise.

“Shepherd Center was amazing. It was the perfect place to be. Every person I met was incredible. Each of them became part of a strong support system. I owe Shepherd everything and give them so much credit for where I am today.”

At Shepherd, Elias found more than medical care. He found guidance, regained his confidence, and was supported by a team that believed in him. Through physical, occupational, and recreation therapy, he learned how to navigate the world in his new body. He discovered new hobbies, new ways to move, and a new sense of possibility.

Now, after three years of working to get back on his feet, he’s training to walk an all‑inclusive 5K he is hosting himself — a race designed for everyone. And he’s giving back in the most meaningful way: all proceeds will support Shepherd Center, help fuel research, and continue the life‑changing rehabilitation that shaped his recovery.

Elias rebuilt his life, and now he wants to help others rebuild theirs.

Learn more about Elias’ mission by clicking the link below.


https://bit.ly/4cWs9Ea

The Andrew C. Carlos Multiple Sclerosis Institute has officially opened its new clinic space — a bright, welcoming envir...
03/02/2026

The Andrew C. Carlos Multiple Sclerosis Institute has officially opened its new clinic space — a bright, welcoming environment with honey‑colored wood‑grain floors and sliding doors featuring botanical‑themed frosted glass.

The MS Institute team transitioned into the new space seamlessly.

“We didn’t close,” says Rebecca Duguid, PT, DPT, program manager for the MS Institute. “We treated patients the whole time.”

This smooth transition was possible because the team was fully engaged and organized, ensuring uninterrupted care.

While the aesthetics are beautiful, the new features significantly enhance patient comfort and care, making visits more relaxing, convenient, and supportive:

Highlights of the new space include:

• 26 universal‑design rooms with lie‑flat, zero‑gravity infusion chairs, adjustable lighting, in‑room TVs, and visitor seating

• A centralized nursing station that improves communication and collaboration

• A new call‑light system for faster, safer assistance

• Integrated equipment, including ceiling-mounted Hoyer lifts that charge anywhere along the track, improving patient safety and making transfers easier and more comfortable.

• A 25‑foot gait‑analysis flooring inlay for MS Functional Composite testing

• Streamlined appointments with real‑time digital status updates

• Creature comforts like heated blankets, snacks, a refrigerator, microwave, and coffee maker make patients' and families' visits more comfortable and relaxing.

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Patients are already feeling the difference. Longtime patient Robin Harris says, “You’re in your own private room… It’s more spacious, and the care is still there. Someone is always right there if you need them.”

The new MS Institute space blends comfort, functionality, and innovation to deliver the best possible patient experience.

https://bit.ly/40APNPg

📸: Ben Gray

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2020 Peachtree Road NW
Atlanta, GA
30309

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