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.

For five decades, Shepherd Center has continued to grow, innovate, and redefine rehabilitation. Explore the milestones that brought us to where we are today, then journey back to where it all began.

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.

A woman in a blue blazer speaks to a young man lying down during a physical therapy session, while a man in a suit looks on.
Our story continues: what began with one family’s determination has grown into a community committed to redefining what’s possible after neurological injury and illness. Hear from the people carrying Shepherd Center’s mission forward and see how our past continues to shape where we’re going next.
The 2020s
Building the Future
A graphic with the text "2020s Building the Future" in blue, featuring a sun rising above the letters. The background shows a blurred black and white image of a building and trees.

Leadership transitions, new facilities, and a commitment to innovation.

2026
ABI-6 Unit Opens

Located on the sixth floor of the Marcus-Woodruff Building, the ABI-6 Unit expands the Rollins Acquired Brain Injury Program by adding 18 additional beds, enabling us to serve more patients with brain injuries and support more families, while providing private rooms.

2025
50 Years On a Mission

Shepherd Center marks its 50th anniversary to celebrate the work done to redefine possibilities, restore hope, and transform lives. An anniversary theme, ‘On a Mission,’ honors the dedication of our patients, families, staff, and supporters and reaffirms their commitment to innovation, compassion, and empowering people with disabilities to live life to the fullest.

2025
Marcus Center for Advanced Rehab Opens

Shepherd Center opens the new Marcus Center for Advanced Rehabilitation on the main Shepherd Center campus, increasing patient access and improving the patient and family experience by growing outpatient services and creating a dedicated space for innovation to drive advancements in rehabilitation research.

2024
Breaking Ground on Family Residences

Shepherd Center breaks ground on the Arthur M. Blank Family Residences, more than doubling its housing capacity for patients and families who live more than 50 miles away from Shepherd Center.

2024
Jamie Shepherd Becomes CEO

Jamie Shepherd, grandson of founders Alana and Harold Shepherd, is appointed CEO, continuing the family’s legacy of transformative care. One month later, the Arthur M. Blank Family Residences open, providing 165 apartments for families.

The 2010s
Advancing Possibilities
A blurred background with an overlay of a blue rectangle featuring the text "2010s Advancing Possibilities" in white and yellow. There is an icon of a lightbulb with a gear inside, symbolizing innovation.

Technological innovations and infrastructure improvements.

2019
James Shepherd’s Legacy Lives On

James Shepherd, co-founder and visionary leader, passes away, leaving behind a legacy of hope, resilience, and life-changing rehabilitation.

Where it all began

Behind every milestone is the story of a family who believed there had to be a better way. Go back to the beginning and hear the story of how the Shepherd family’s experience inspired the creation of Shepherd Center.

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.
The Shepherd Center’s origin story: 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.

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.”