Shepherd Center - A Catastrophic Care Hospital

Shepherd Center is a private, not-for-profit, hospital located in Atlanta, Ga. It's one of the nation's leading hospitals specializing in medical treatment, research and rehabilitation for people with spinal cord injuries, brain injuries, multiple sclerosis, chronic pain and other neurological conditions.

Staff and Facility

• Shepherd Center employs more than 1,200 people.
• Shepherd Center is a 132-bed rehabilitation facility, which includes a 10-bed Intensive Care Unit.
• Shepherd Center is ranked among the top 10 best rehabilitation hospitals in the nation by U.S. News & World Report.
• More than 950 people serve each year as volunteers for Shepherd Center.

Patient Data

• 947 people were admitted to Shepherd Center's inpatient programs in 2009.
• 538 people were admitted to Shepherd Center’s day patient programs in 2009.
• 6,008 people were seen on an outpatient basis in 2009.

Medical and Rehabilitation Programs

Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation Program

Each year Shepherd Center treats hundreds of people who have recently sustained a spinal cord injury. From the time of acute admission through outpatient follow-up, our Spinal Cord Injury program provides a full continuum of care to those who have sustained any level of spinal cord injury - paraplegia, quadriplegia (including those who are ventilator dependent) or dual diagnosis (spinal cord and brain injury).

Brain Injury Rehabilitation Program

Shepherd Center treats people who have experienced the most complex brain injuries. Our early-recovery unit allows us to begin treating patients immediately after their injury. We also have a coma-stimulation program and a program for ventilator-dependent patients. We have treated thousands of people with brain injuries and 95 percent of our patients return to the community at a higher level of mental functioning than when they started rehab.

Treatment for Pain and Neuromuscular Disorders

We extend our treatment expertise to individuals with acute pain resulting from back surgery, fractures, whiplash or cancer. Other paralyzing neurological diseases can affect the body like a spinal cord injury, so we also treat patients with transverse myelitis, Guillain-Barré syndrome, spinal tumors, spina bifida, post-polio syndrome, scoliosis and spinal cord cysts.

Andrew C. Carlos Multiple Sclerosis Institute at Shepherd

The MS Institute at Shepherd is the region's most comprehensive treatment and rehabilitation center for people with multiple sclerosis. We focus on an accurate diagnosis of the disease, aggressive treatment of symptoms and exacerbations, education, rehabilitation, counseling and clinical research. We are an official treatment facility designated by the National MS Society-Georgia Chapter, and a research partner with Harvard Medical School and MIT.

Shepherd Pain Institute

The Shepherd Pain Institute offers pain management for individuals experiencing chronic pain problems. The Institute takes a multi-disciplinary approach to the practice of medicine and specializes in the evaluation, diagnosis and application of interventional treatment for the management of pain and related disorders.

Inpatient Services

• Intensive care
• Medical/surgical care
• Inpatient rehabilitation
  • Spinal cord injury
  • Brain injury
  • Other neuromuscular disorders

Outpatient Services

• Day program
  • Spinal cord injury
  • Brain injury
• Outpatient rehabilitation
  • Spinal cord injury
  • Brain injury
  • Multiple Sclerosis
  • Chronic Pain
  • Upper Extremity
• Outpatient clinics
  • Multiple Sclerosis
  • Chronic Pain
  • Multi Specialty
  • Upper Extremity
  • Urology
  • Wound
  • Assistive technology
    • Seating Clinic
    • Driving Clinic
  • Fitness center with an indoor pool, gymnasium, weight room, track and art studio

Our Mission

Shepherd Center’s mission is to help people with a temporary or permanent disability caused by injury or disease rebuild their lives with hope, independence and dignity, advocating for their full inclusion in all aspects of community life while promoting safety and injury prevention.

Our Vision

• To be a center of excellence in patient care, education and research.
• To be financially sound, having the resources to maintain quality services.
• To be a strong advocate for people with disabilities.

Our Values

Accountability
Compassion
Competency
Humor
Innovation
Integrity
Respect
Trust

Our Philosophy

The best healing takes place when the highest ethical standards are followed - where mutual respect, justice, and equality are encouraged.

The appropriate level of care results in the most positive medical outcomes within the limits of available resources.

The most appropriate care is provided by a professional team working with each patient and family.

Rehabilitation is a lifelong process that begins at Shepherd Center.

Sharing research guarantees growth and improvement and benefits everyone.

Primary injury prevention is a high priority at Shepherd Center.

Supporting staff development improves the quality of services Shepherd Center provides.

Code of Ethical Conduct

Read Shepherd Center's Code of Ethical Conduct.