Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation Program
Specialized SCI Rehabilitation and Spine Treatment Center
As a national leader in spinal cord injury care and research, Shepherd Center examines ways to improve the quality of life for people who have experienced a spinal cord injury (SCI). Our comprehensive spinal cord injury program is tailored to meet individual needs to optimize recovery and improve independence in patients.
Leading Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation Specialists
Shepherd Center’s spinal cord injury rehabilitation specialists work together as a team to design a personalized plan for recovery to help prevent complications and help patients recover as much function as possible. At our spinal cord injury treatment center, we strive to ensure patients and families are an integral part of their recovery team.
Our clinicians specialize in spinal cord injury and treat a high volume of inpatients – about 400 each year. As a result, we have more experience dealing with all levels of spinal cord injuries, including those in people who are ventilator-dependent or have a dual diagnosis of spinal cord and brain injury.
Spinal Cord Injury Programs at Shepherd Center
We are committed to caring for patients with spinal cord injuries and helping them return to doing what they love to do. U.S. News & World Report ranks Shepherd Center among the top 10 rehabilitation hospitals in the country, and we are one of only 14 facilities in the United States designated as a Spinal Cord Injury Model System by the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR).
Our approach to spinal cord injury (SCI) rehabilitation and recovery is customized by patient and level of injury. We provide an inpatient spinal cord injury rehabilitation program, as well as outpatient rehabilitation services, and a spinal cord injury program tailored to adolescents. Learn more about our spinal cord injury treatment center below.

SCI Inpatient Rehabilitation
Shepherd Center's team of specialists work with our SCI patients to optimize their recovery, focusing on different goals at a pace that is right for them.

Adolescent Spine Program
At Shepherd Center’s spinal cord injury rehabilitation program for adolescents, medical treatment focuses on returning patients to the highest possible level of functioning and independence.

SCI Day Program
Our Day Program provides outpatient rehabilitation services to increase the level of independent functioning at home, work/school and in the community.
Learn About Spinal Cord Injury Condition, Treatment and Care
- Learn About Spinal Cord Injuries – Get answers to frequently asked questions about spinal cord injury and rehabilitation.
- Understanding Spinal Cord Injury – Watch this video series of real people who have sustained a spinal cord injury, as well as medical experts and advocates.
- How to Choose a Rehabilitation Program – Discover the questions you should consider when selecting a spinal cord injury treatment center.
- MyShepherdConnection.org – Review spinal cord injury-related educational information for patients, families and caregivers.
Download our brochure and learn why our highly specialized staff leads the nation in providing spinal cord injury treatment, rehabilitation and research.
Stories of Hope highlight the experiences of people with spinal cord injury and their families. Our patients share how their lives changed after a spinal cord injury and offer words of hope and support for others.
Our patient outcomes reflect greater than average gains in functional improvements from the time a patient is admitted to the time they are discharged when compared to similar facilities and national statistics.
Spinal Cord Injury Program Contacts:
Interested in learning more about Shepherd Center’s spinal cord injury programs for inpatients or outpatients? Contact us today. We are happy to help answer your questions.
Spinal Cord Injury – Inpatient
- General: 404-350-7463
- Admissions: 404-350-7345
Spinal Cord Injury – Outpatient
- General: 404-350-7523
- Admissions: 404-350-7502
Meet our Specialists in this Area
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Angela Beninga D.O.Chief Medical Informatics Officer
Staff Physiatrist
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Gerald S. Bilsky M.D.Staff Physiatrist
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Brock K. Bowman M.D.Associate Medical Director
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Wes Chay M.D.Program Director, Graduate Medical Education
Staff Physiatrist -
Anna Choo Elmers M.D.Staff Physiatrist
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John Lin M.D.Medical Director, Spinal Cord Injury Program