At Shepherd Center, we take immense pride in serving the community in meaningful ways, including free or reduced-cost care, advancing medical research, training healthcare professionals, and participating in community improvement efforts.
In FY24, Shepherd Center invested over $17 million in our communities.
| Focus area | Description | Investment |
|---|---|---|
| Charity care | Financial assistance for patients unable to pay for their medical care. | $4.3 million |
| Community health improvement services | Financial assistance for patients unable to pay for their medical care. | $4.2 million |
| Community benefit operations | Operational costs for programs benefiting the community that do not directly generate revenue. | $2.2 million |
| Education | Programs that provide scholarships or funding for professional education. | $608,000 |
| Subsidized health services | Clinical services that meet a community need and are provided despite a financial loss. | $121,000 |
| Community building activities | Programs that provide opportunities to address the root causes of health problems in our community. | $36,000 |
These are programs that provide opportunities to address the root causes of health problems in our community
Patient/clients served: 800
Provides temporary housing at no cost for families of newly-injured rehabilitation patients who live more than 60 miles from Atlanta.
Patient/clients served: 75
A program that provides home alert labels and education for people with physical and/or cognitive limitations who find themselves in emergency situations.
Patient/clients served: 2,530
Provides materials and expert instruction to school, employers, and local organizations on simple steps to preventing catastrophic injury.
These are programs that provide scholarships or funding for professional education.
Patient/clients served: 17
Trains new nurses in the specialized field of spinal cord and brain injury rehabilitation.
Patient/clients served: 89
Trains medical residents in specialized fields.
Patient/clients served: 375
Trains medical residents in the specialized field of spinal cord and brain injury rehabilitation.
These are services donated to individuals or the community at large.
Patient/clients served: 1
A program partner event that helps raise awareness and educates the public about services available to them.
These are clinical services that meet a community need that are provided despite a financial loss.
Patient/clients served: 788
A community-based rehabilitation program for adolescents and adults recovering from brain injuries, offering therapies that enhance independence and community integration.
Patient/clients served: 450
Donor-restricted funds help offset the cost of therapy and to purchase patient therapy equipment for patients who have sustained a traumatic brain injury.
Patient/clients served: 14
An endowment established by former patient Bob Hagemeyer, provides funding for counseling and specialized equipment for Shepherd’s outpatient program.
Patient/clients sessions: 2,700
Utilizes specifically trained animals to assist patients with physical therapy, motor skills, strength, and endurance.
Patient/clients served: 300
Donor-restricted funds help offset the cost of patient therapy for patients, and to purchase patient therapy equipment for people who have sustained a spinal cord injury.
Patient/clients sessions: 1,232
Trains patients to use adaptive tools for gardening as well as floral arranging and craft use.
Patient/clients served: 130
Provides patients with a “Trav-Pack,” a package of items and tools that aims to help inspire patients and enhance their lives.
Patient/clients served: 1,622
Provides patients with the latests high tech tools and equipment so they can regain independence after a neurological injury or condition.
Patient/clients served: 47
Provides vital equipment such as wheelchairs or home modifications to patients with limited financial resources.
Patient/clients served: 47
Provides financial assistance to children and youth during all phases of inpatient care and rehabilitation, as well as transition from hospital to outpatient rehabilitation and whom-life following a brain or spinal injury.
These are activities carried out to improve community health that are subsidized by the healthcare organization and do not generate inpatient or outpatient bills, although they may involve a nominal patient fee and/or sliding scale fee.
Patient/clients served: 116
Provide operational, travel, and equipment to our adaptive sports teams.
Patient/clients served: 173
Provides evidence-based rehabilitation for veterans, service members, and first responders who have traumatic brain injuries and mental health concerns at no cost to the client.
Patient/clients served: 328
Offers comprehensive and patient-centered rehabilitation services to treat concussions and assists patients in returning to work, school, and play sooner and with fewer long-term complications.
Patient/clients served: 150
Provides accessible gym and wellness programs to former patients and community members focused on improving strength, endurance, and wellness through exercise programs.
Patient/clients served: 38
Provides teen-specific activities such as group activities, games and sports, as well as community outings to familiar venues such as the mall, restaurants and sporting events to keep our teenage patients motivated and help overcome social fears associated with their new disabilities.
Patient/clients served: 1,585
Provides transportation to patients and families who participate in the Shepherd Pathways Day Program, as well as those patients and families who stay in our off-site apartments. In addition, transportation is provided for patient/family outings, and other community outings.
Patient/clients served: 1,802
Offers a wide-array of sports and leisure activities for our patients and others with disabilities. Recreation Therapy encourages teamwork, builds self-confidence, and improves overall quality of life.
Patient/clients served: 505
Provides current and former patients with vocation evaluation, counseling, and job placement services. It also partners with employers and community resources to increase employment for people with disabilities.
Patient/clients served: 8,200
Provides patients with multiple sclerosis (MS), suspected MS or related disorders, assistance with housing, utilities, medical equipment, medical expenses and any other miscellaneous requests that may be needed.
Patient/clients served: 3,217
As a vital part of Shepherd’s interdisciplinary healthcare team concept, speciallytrained chaplains provide counsel, support, and faith materials to patients and families of all faiths and conduct worship services at the hospital.
Patient/clients served: 1,348
Shepherd Center’s library is the South’s only consumer health library devoted to spinal cord and brain injuries and related conditions. Containing a substantial book and audio/visual collection, the library also offers various resources and media including medical books and journals, educational DVDs, literature databases, and computers with internet access for library patrons.
Patient/clients served: 32
Allows patients to access emergency transport services.
Patient/clients served: 222
Provides direct assistance to patients and their families to cover daily living and non-hospital expenses that are not covered by insurance.
Patient/clients served: 329
Provides a clinical environment for studies on multiple sclerosis (MS) diseasemodifying therapies, rehabilitation, symptom management, and patient education.
Patient/clients served: 1,357
Provides outdoor activities such as hunting, fishing, camping, kayaking, boating and ATV riding to patients post injury.
Patient/clients served: 380
Provides education, guidance, and support to patients and their families upon discharge to home in order to improve health and safety outcomes and increase patient and family independence and autonomy.
Worried about paying for your care? We understand how overwhelming medical expenses can be. Our financial assistance options are here to help you, and your family, get the care you need, without the added stress.
Learn more about how we’re enhancing care and support for you and others in our community.
Hospital receives grant to target seatbelt use on rural roads.
Hospital is a top scorer for disability inclusion in the workplace.
From navigating the rehabilitation process to advocating for change, your involvement can help strengthen our community. Explore more of our extensive online resources tailored for patients, families, and clients.