Shepherd Center

Shepherd Center treats a high volume of spinal cord injury (SCI) patients with any level of injury, including those who are ventilator dependent or have a dual diagnosis of spinal cord and brain injury.

Shepherd Center has specialized treatment teams for patients age 12 - 64, as well as for patients who require medical/surgical care from secondary complications.

Our patients go on to achieve some of the greatest functional improvements from the time they are admitted to the time they are discharged when compared to similar facilities and national statistics.

The Shepherd Continuum of Care

Acute Care / ICU

Beginning a rehabilitation regimen within two weeks of injury can lead to increases in functional improvement and more cost-effective medical care for people with spinal cord injury. Shepherd Center has a ten-bed intensive care unit and accepts patients directly from emergency rooms and aggressively starts rehabilitation from day one.

When patients are admitted to Shepherd Center's ICU, they are evaluated by physicians who have extensive experience in catastrophic care. These physicians determine the appropriate course for rehabilitation and begin working with the treatment team immediately to establish short- and long-term rehabilitation goals.

Inpatient Rehabilitation

Shepherd Center's inpatient rehabilitation program for spinal cord injury begins when the patient is able to participate in three hours of daily therapy. A team of professionals works together with you and your family to coordinate your care, set your goals and keep track of your progress.

Once a patient is stable and able to actively participate, a full-scale inpatient rehabilitation program begins with several hours of therapy each day. Our physical, occupational and recreation therapists teach mobility, activities of daily living and reintegration back into the community.

Your Treatment Team

Our team of psychological counselors and education coordinators monitor the psychological readiness of each patient, and begin family training programs for patients and family members, who will learn about the injury, its consequences, and how to prepare for life after discharge from Shepherd Center.

Day Program

Shepherd Center's Day Program enables patients who no longer need 24-hour nursing care to continue their recovery and rehabilitation while living in nearby apartments provided by the Center.

Services are focused on the functional return of skills necessary for community reintegration. Services you may need include physical or occupational therapy, nursing, respiratory therapy, counseling sessions, therapeutic recreation and educational training sessions.

Depending on your goals, you may need these services for a few days or a few weeks.

The Day Program also helps minimize the chance of further medical complications that are secondary to the neurological injury or illness.

Going home and perhaps back to work or school can be stressful. We offer a wide range of services to help make this transition go smoothly, including:

• Medical care

  Our nursing care continues in the day program and may include care for neurogenic bowel and bladder, spasticity, blood pressure, blood clots, contractures, strength and mobility issues.

• Return-to-work counseling

  You may or may not be able to return to the same type of work you did before your injury. Our counselors will help you find a job or career that's right for you.

• Back-to-school program

  Through our No Obstacles program, you and a Shepherd therapist design a back-to-school plan that can include in-school awareness and sensitivity training for school staff and students, as well as instruction regarding medical issues, which may come up during your school day.

• Life-skills training

  Our therapists help you practice the skills you'll need to get through a normal day. This can include everything from grooming and dressing to managing your schedule and working with others.

• Mobility training

  Outings into the surrounding neighborhood will help you practice skills you'll need in your own community.

• Family/caregiver training

  We offer classes for your family or other caregivers to make sure they understand your injury or illness and your needs.

Housing for patients in the day program is provided for the duration of the rehabilitation program. To qualify for housing, patients must live more than 60 miles from the Center.

For more information about admissions to the Day Program, click here.

Outpatient Services

Outpatient Services at Shepherd Center provides medical treatment, therapies and care for people with disabilities for a wide range of needs on an outpatient basis. Our programs provide individualized, integrative care and include family members when appropriate.

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