Who We Are
Shepherd Center, located in Atlanta, Ga., is a private, not-for-profit, hospital specializing in medical treatment, research and rehabilitation for people with spinal cord injury or brain injury. It was founded in 1975.
Shepherd Center is a 120-bed facility, including a 10-bed intensive care unit. Each year Shepherd Center admits more than 630 people to its inpatient programs and 500 people to its day patient programs. In addition, Shepherd sees more than 14,000 people annually on an outpatient basis.
Specialized Treatment
Shepherd's treatment teams are led by experienced and innovative physicians and include nurses, physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech therapists, technology and recreation experts, and nutritional and psychological counselors who all specialize in spinal cord and brain injuries. Our goal is to help you achieve your best possible outcome and reach your fullest level of independence.
Shepherd's specialization has enabled our staff to develop higher levels of expertise and achieve better results for our patients. When it comes to functional improvements, our patients are more independent and have better outcomes than the national average, such as return to home rates and return to work rates.
Full Continuum of Care
Shepherd Center offers a complete continuum of care, from evaluation and medical treatment to rehabilitation and lifelong support programs. Patients also enjoy our "value-added" programs, including therapeutic recreation, community outings, pastoral care, extensive family training, assistive technology, back-to-school programs and peer support.
Shepherd Center has a number of specialty programs, including the Adolescent Program, which groups teens and young adults together in a unique environment that provides for a strong peer support system. A high priority is placed on the involvement of family and friends. Other programs include a Ventilator Weaning Program, Low-Level Brain Injury Program, High-Tetraplegic Program, and a Dual Diagnosis Program for people with spinal cord and brain injury.
Advanced Technology
Patients at Shepherd Center receive customized solutions to help them integrate daily tasks back into their lives. Experts and technology specialists help people customize an appropriate package of technological solutions that maximize independence in accomplishing day-to-day tasks.
Leaders in Research
Clinical studies are conducted in collaboration with leading experts at other hospitals, research centers, medical schools and universities around the world. Whether studying a new device, testing an improved surgical procedure or developing a new treatment method, research at Shepherd Center translates directly into an improved quality of life for our patients.
Accreditation
Shepherd Center is accredited by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) and the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF). Shepherd Center is also designated as a Model Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) Systems of Care by the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR).
Patient and Family Training
Patients and families participate in training sessions to learn as much as possible about the injury or illness in order to manage ongoing medical care after returning home. Having a thorough understanding helps patients take full advantage of the rehabilitation process and can help prevent being rehospitalized.
Family Housing
Shepherd Center provides temporary housing for up to 30 days at no cost for families of newly-injured rehabilitation patients who live more than 50 miles from Atlanta.
Services and Special Capabilities
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Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation
Shepherd Center offers a full continuum of care from acute admission through outpatient follow-up for people with any level of injury, including those who are ventilator-dependent or have a dual diagnosis of spinal cord and brain injury. -
Brain Injury Rehabilitation
Shepherd Center provides a full continuum of care, from ICU-level care and rehabilitation and family training to post-acute services, such as our Day Program or Outpatient Services. Shepherd Center’s programs are focused on community re-entry.
Awards and Recognition
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2008 Nursing Quality Award
Shepherd Center's nursing staff received the Outstanding Nursing Quality™ in the category for Rehabilitation Hospitals - National Database for Nursing Quality Indicators (American Nurses Association) - 2008. -
Model SCI Systems of Care
Shepherd Center is one of the 14 rehabilitation hospitals in the nation designated by the federal government as a “Model System” for care of people with spinal cord injury. Hospitals with this designation serve as a model for other providers. -
JCAHO Accredited
Shepherd Center is accredited by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO). -
CARF Accedited
Shepherd Center is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF).