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, a

cquired 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.

Congratulations to our colleagues for receiving Georgia State University Ignite Award for Faculty Research Partnership. ...
04/17/2026

Congratulations to our colleagues for receiving Georgia State University Ignite Award for Faculty Research Partnership. This recognition celebrates the powerful collaboration between Georgia State University’s Department of Sociology and Shepherd Center—a partnership rooted in a shared mission to ensure people with disabilities not only survive, but truly thrive in their communities.

This impactful collaboration, started by Dr. Raeda Anderson (Shepherd Center) and Dr. Eric Wright (GSU Sociology), has developed into a robust, formalized research partnership. Key initiatives include creating an applied sociology course, expanding student opportunities at Shepherd Center, and launching the iCORD Lab (Interdisciplinary Community Research on Disability).

Led by Dr. Anderson, Dr. Daniel Pasciuti, and Dr. Patricia Lawrence, iCORD supports disability‑centered community partners through advanced research, applied scholarship, and hands‑on learning—resulting in more than 75 scientific publications and research outputs to date.

This honor highlights the power of cross‑institutional collaboration to drive community‑centered research with real‑world impact.

Rory McIlroy isn’t the only winner from Masters Tournament week! Thanks to our incredible Recreation Therapy Program and...
04/16/2026

Rory McIlroy isn’t the only winner from Masters Tournament week! Thanks to our incredible Recreation Therapy Program and the generous sponsorship of Campbell & Brannon, our patients had the opportunity to experience what it feels like to be on the green.

Our therapists transformed the entire seventh‑floor auditorium into a Masters‑inspired experience — from a creative putting green and fun crafts, to watching the tournament on screen and enjoying classic pimento cheese sandwiches. Every detail was thoughtfully planned and truly brought the event to life.

The volunteers and staff had a wonderful time, and most importantly, the patients absolutely loved it.

One of our favorite yearly traditions at Shepherd Center is gathering outside the hospital on July 4 to cheer on the run...
04/16/2026

One of our favorite yearly traditions at Shepherd Center is gathering outside the hospital on July 4 to cheer on the runners of the Northside Hospital Peachtree Road Race!

As we gear up for race day with Atlanta Track Club, we encourage you to register by clicking the link below and completing the online registration form. Once registered, you will join this special tradition, be cheered on by our patients and staff, and even receive Shepherd Center‑branded sweatbands on race day to help power you through the race.

We hope to see you there! Click the link below to register.

http://bit.ly/ShepherdCenterPRR26

It’s prom season—a time for celebration and late nights. We want our teens to have fun and unforgettable memories, while...
04/15/2026

It’s prom season—a time for celebration and late nights. We want our teens to have fun and unforgettable memories, while also making it home safely.

This month is Distracted Driving Awareness Month, the perfect time to remind our community to drive safely, especially during busy prom weekends. Put the phone down, slow down, buckle up, and always designate a driver if needed.

Join us by talking to your teens about making safe choices behind the wheel this prom season. Encourage them to prioritize safety, speak up if they feel unsafe, and set clear plans for a safe ride home. Together, we can keep prom night memories happy ones. Safe choices today can prevent injuries tomorrow.

04/14/2026

Landon King had an aneurysm rupture in May 2025 during a CrossFit class, leading to cardiac arrest and an anoxic brain injury. After months in inpatient care in Shepherd Center’s Brain Injury Rehabilitation Program, he moved to Shepherd Pathways Day Program, where he met his physical therapist, Korynn Duke. At first, he used a wheelchair and required two people to help him stand and walk. Korynn said it was amazing to see him walk out of Pathways on his own in October.

Now, Landon works out independently, doing pull-ups and push-ups, and has returned to the same CrossFit gym where his aneurysm ruptured.

“Landon is extremely resilient and determined, with a strong work ethic. It's amazing to see what he's doing now,” Korynn says.

Before his injury, Landon and his fiancée, Kylene Street, paid a deposit on a Labrador puppy, his favorite breed. Rehabilitation delayed their plans, but they eventually found a reputable breeder. Landon named the puppy Shepherd, saying Shepherd changed his life and he wouldn't be here without them.

Every day at Shepherd Center, our Food Services team collaborates to prepare and deliver nearly 380 patient meals, each ...
04/13/2026

Every day at Shepherd Center, our Food Services team collaborates to prepare and deliver nearly 380 patient meals, each tailored to individual needs. Our dietitians, doctors, chefs, aides, and culinary staff focus on supporting patient care through nutritious, personalized food.

Tonika McCoy, a food service assistant, starts her mornings by making rounds on the fourth and fifth floors. Tablet in hand, she greets patients by name, reviews menu options, and helps them choose meals that align with their needs.

For many patients, she already knows what they order most often, and all of them seem happy to see her. And the feeling is mutual — she says her favorite part of her role is interacting with patients.

“You see a lot of different things, and … it makes the job fun because I'm able to interact with them, and they tell me stories, and I'm laughing and talking. It's very fun.”

And she’s happy to deliver a little cheer, even before the meals arrive.

“They go through a lot, so food pretty much brightens up their day.”

Putting the trays together for delivery is Maddy Gonzalez, a food service aid who likes to begin her shift by meticulously arranging everything she'll need in the station. As a “caller” on the tray line, Maddy carefully selects the correct trays based on swallowing precautions (yellow) or testing precautions (orange).

She then adds cold items and condiments, double-checks each order, and sends trays down the line for final preparation. After a third check from her supervisor, she loads insulated racks floor by floor and delivers meals directly to patient rooms.

She loves “cutting up with them,” she says, and “just being a help. That makes me feel good. Just to make other people smile.”

Their work is a powerful reminder that healing happens in many ways — sometimes starting with a warm meal and a kind hello.

To learn more about our Food Services team, click the link below to read the full article.

When Kimberly Ramsey talks about a recent storm that damaged her home, she brushes it off. It was small compared to the ...
04/10/2026

When Kimberly Ramsey talks about a recent storm that damaged her home, she brushes it off. It was small compared to the storm her family already faced.

“You can replace drywall, you can have carpenters come in and fix it,” she says. “We were working on fixing a brain for a while. That’s different.”

That brain belongs to her son, Hawthorne.

The true storm for their family began when Hawthorne fell and hit his head, causing his skull to fracture in three places. After 19 days in Vanderbilt University Medical Center’s ICU, Hawthorne was transferred to Shepherd Center for inpatient rehabilitation.

Kimberly remembers their first day clearly. “Our first nurse was Bob Suter… He was awesome. He was so helpful and informative,” she recalls. Bob gave them a tour, answered their questions, and helped them settle into the nearby Arthur M. Blank Family Residences. “That was a godsend for us.”

Soon after settling in, therapy began almost immediately, even while Hawthorne was still recovering from his feeding tube and trach. He worked on balance, memory, verbal processing, reaction time, and fine motor skills. Although he could walk independently, his goal was to run again. While he was expected to need four to six weeks of inpatient rehab, Hawthorne progressed so quickly that he transitioned to Shepherd Pathways after just 11 days.

Amid everything, Kimberly also had to learn to care for herself during this storm. Following advice she received early on, she made sure to sleep, eat, journal, and eventually return to exercise.

Now, seven months later, Hawthorne is living independently, working full-time, driving again, and back to running. Reflecting on their journey, Kimberly knows the trust she placed in the care team made all the difference. “I had to learn that we were in the best hands in the country.”

To read Hawthorne's and Kimberly’s full story, click the link below.

What if every brilliant rehab solution created for one patient could reach thousands more?That’s the vision behind a new...
04/09/2026

What if every brilliant rehab solution created for one patient could reach thousands more?

That’s the vision behind a new collaboration between Shepherd Center and Tikkun Olam Makers (TOM).

At Shepherd, assistive technology rehab rehabilitation engineer Jared Grier designs custom adaptive solutions for daily living that benefit patients at the Center.

Now, with support from a Georgia Tech intern who documents, standardizes, and uploads the designs, those solutions are being shared on the TOM Global Design Repository, turning hundreds of solutions into open-source designs available to anyone, anywhere.

Visit the TOM Global platform to access and share Shepherd Center Solutions.

#3-Dprinting

Imagine regaining your ability to cook, drive, or get dressed independently after a life-changing injury or illness. Apr...
04/08/2026

Imagine regaining your ability to cook, drive, or get dressed independently after a life-changing injury or illness. April is Occupational Therapy Month — a time to celebrate the power and impact of occupational therapy. At Shepherd Center, occupational therapists help people relearn how to groom, cook, and drive, and guide them as they build the skills needed for everyday independence.

Our occupational therapists help form the backbone of our rehabilitation care team. Their expertise, creativity, and dedication empower our patients to reach the highest level of independence and confidence possible. We appreciate them not just this month, but every single day.

Life is easier when you can count on a routine. At Shepherd Center, we offer fixed shifts for nurses, therapists, and re...
04/07/2026

Life is easier when you can count on a routine. At Shepherd Center, we offer fixed shifts for nurses, therapists, and respiratory care professionals. We know balance matters.

Our teams thrive in an environment where schedules are predictable, support is constant, and the work is deeply meaningful. Here, you’ll have time to recharge outside of work while helping patients reclaim independence inside our walls.

If you’re ready for a career that values your life as much as your skills, we’d love for you to join us. Click the link below for more information. ⬇️

https://bit.ly/49Urxxy

Nothing is more special than family, and Harold Smith knows that by heart. Since arriving at Shepherd in November, Harol...
04/06/2026

Nothing is more special than family, and Harold Smith knows that by heart. Since arriving at Shepherd in November, Harold has faced a challenging recovery, but through every setback, his brother has stayed right beside him.

A few weeks ago, Harold was having an especially hard time. To lift his spirits, his brother gathered members of Harold’s Corvette Club, and together, they drove to Shepherd on Saturday to surround him with support, joy, and connection.

Hope is knowing you’re never facing the hard days alone.
Hope is community showing up, sometimes with loud engines.
Hope is family.

A huge thank‑you to the nurses, PCTs, and therapists who helped get Harold outside to see everyone. You made this moment possible.

Spring is here, and summer is near — which can only mean one thing: Derby Day, our largest and longest‑running fundraisi...
04/03/2026

Spring is here, and summer is near — which can only mean one thing: Derby Day, our largest and longest‑running fundraising event since 1983, is around the corner! Think fancy hats, seersucker suits, mint juleps, and plenty of fun.

But Derby Day is more than just an amazing party. Over the years, it has had a direct and lasting impact on our patients and their experiences at Shepherd Center. Since 1983, Derby Day has raised more than $5 million in support of our Recreation Therapy Program, making it the largest program of its kind in the country.

Because of generous donors like you, our patients can live active, independent lives — from cycling for the first time since their accident to waterskiing and reconnecting with the community in meaningful ways.

Join us May 2 for the biggest party this side of the Mississippi and help us continue changing lives by securing your tickets today when you click the link below.

https://bit.ly/4trEJ3t

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2020 Peachtree Road NW
Atlanta, GA
30309

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