Our Story

A group of five people, four standing and one seated, are outdoors in a garden setting. They are dressed in semi-formal attire. There is greenery and a wooden structure in the background.

On a mission: 50 years of transforming lives

For 50 years, Shepherd Center has been on a mission to redefine rehabilitation, empower patients, and inspire hope. From a six-bed unit to a world-renowned neurorehabilitation hospital, our journey has been filled with groundbreaking innovations, life-changing care, and a steadfast commitment to our patients and families.

Explore the decades of milestones that have shaped Shepherd Center and continue to propel us forward. Scroll through our history and see how every moment has brought us closer to a future full of possibilities.

A family’s love, a legacy of hope

Every journey at Shepherd Center begins with a story — a story of resilience, determination, and often the unwavering power of family. Our own story started with a mother’s love and a son’s unyielding spirit, leading to a legacy that continues to transform lives today.

A mother’s mission

In 1973, Alana and Harold Shepherd’s world was forever changed when their 22-year-old son, James, suffered a traumatic spinal cord injury while bodysurfing off the coast of Rio de Janeiro. Paralyzed from the neck down, James faced a grim prognosis. But with the unwavering support of his parents, and the help of a rehabilitation center in Denver, James defied the odds and regained his ability to walk using a leg brace and cane.

Returning to Atlanta, the Shepherd family was struck by the lack of specialized spinal cord injury rehabilitation in the United States, much less in the Southeast.

Determined to change that, the Shepherd’s embarked on a mission to ensure no other family would endure the same struggle.

With unwavering determination

Alana, her husband Harold, and James, along with Dr. David Apple and the support of dedicated friends and medical professionals, founded Shepherd Center in 1975. It began as a modest six-bed unit, a beacon of hope in a region where such care was scarce, a center that would offer cutting-edge rehabilitation and a culture of care rooted in family.

Three people are standing outside a building: Harold Shepherd, James Shepherd, and Alana Shepherd. The person in the middle, with a beard, is using crutches. The person on the left is wearing a light suit, and the person on the right is wearing light casual clothes and holding a white bag.
Through personal testimonials, get a glimpse into the journey of recovery, the support provided by the dedicated care teams, and the hope that Shepherd Center instills in both patients and their families.
The 1970s
Where Hope Begins
A graphic with the text "1970s Where Hope Begins" overlays a blurred, grayscale aerial image of a building and parking lot in the background.

Establishing Shepherd Center and its patient-centered mission.

1973
A Life-Changing Injury Sparks a Mission

James Shepherd sustains a spinal cord injury in a bodysurfing accident in Rio de Janeiro. After months of intensive rehabilitation in Denver, CO, he walks out of the hospital with a leg brace and crutch. Inspired by this experience, the Shepherd family envisions a new model of rehabilitation—one that prioritizes patient and family-centered care.

1975
Shepherd Spinal Center Opens

Shepherd Spinal Center opens in Atlanta as a six-bed unit in a local hopital staffed by two doctors and three therapists. Dr. David Apple serves as the first medical director. A waiting list quickly develops, underscoring the need for expanded services.

The 1980s
Expanding Horizons
A logo with "1980s Expanding Horizons" overlays a blurred black-and-white photo of people in suits. A plant icon replaces the "0" in "1980s," symbolizing growth.

Growth, new facilities, and the beginning of clinical research.

1982
Shepherd Center Moves and Expands

Shepherd Center moves to its current location on Peachtree Road in Buckhead, expanding to a 40-bed facility. New programs, including peer support and advocacy, are introduced, as well as an ICU.

1983
Dr. Apple Leads ASIA

Dr. David F. Apple, Jr., Shepherd Center’s founding medical director, becomes president of the American Spinal Injury Association, a professional organization he helped found. Then the youngest member elected to that post, Dr. Apple, led the then 275-physician-member organization.

1985
Clinical Research Program Launches

The Clinical Research Program launches, later evolving into the Virginia C. Crawford Research Institute. This positions Shepherd Center as a leader in groundbreaking rehabilitation research.

The 1990s
Building a Legacy
A graphic with the text "1990s Building a Legacy" in white on a blue background. Behind the text, there are faint images of construction workers and equipment. A yellow circle contains three black recycling arrows.

Major expansion, new specialized programs, and global impact.

It’s different here

From its humble beginnings, Shepherd Center has always been more than just a hospital. It’s a place where compassion, hope, and a family-centered approach to care are woven into every aspect of the patient experience.

Fifty years later, Alana Shepherd, known affectionately as the “mama on fire,” continues to inspire patients and staff with her unwavering dedication and infectious optimism. Her message to every new arrival resonates throughout our halls: “It’s different here. You’re going to get better.”