Shepherd Center - A Catastrophic Care Hospital

David F. Apple, Jr., M.D., served as Medical Director of Shepherd Center since the hospital's inception in 1975 until 2005, and now holds the position of Medical Director Emeritus. Dr. Apple earned his B.A. at University of Virginia in 1958 where he was President of the College of Arts and Sciences and Chairman of the Honor Council. He earned his M.D. at University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine in 1962. Certified in orthopedic surgery, Dr. Apple is recognized as an expert in the field of spinal cord injury. He has written numerous articles on caring for spinal cord–injured patients and holds academic appointments at Emory University and Georgia State University. Among his many awards, Dr. Apple was the recipient of the ASIA Lifetime Achievement Award in 1997 as well as the Humanitarian of the Year Award from the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Dr. Apple has served in leadership positions on many national and regional medical societies and associations including the presidency of the American Spinal Injury Association, Georgia Orthopaedic Society, the Society of Physicians of the National Basketball Association and the Orthpaedic Rehabilitation Association, which he founded.