Quick Facts

Shepherd Center is a private, not-for-profit, hospital located in Atlanta, Ga. It's one of the nation's leading hospitals specializing in medical treatment, research, and rehabilitation for people with spinal cord injuries, brain injuries, multiple sclerosis, chronic pain, and other neurological conditions.

Staff and Facility

• Shepherd Center employs more than 1,735 people.
• Shepherd Center is a 152-bed rehabilitation facility, which includes a 10-bed Intensive Care Unit.
• Shepherd Center is ranked among the nation's best rehabilitation hospitals by U.S. News.
• More than 750 people serve each year as volunteers for Shepherd Center.

Patient Data

• 876 admissions to Shepherd Center's inpatient programs in 2022
• 280 admissions to Shepherd Center’s day patient programs in 2022
• More than 7,100 people were seen on an outpatient basis in 2022 in more than 46,000 visits

Medical and Rehabilitation Programs

Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation Program

Each year Shepherd Center treats hundreds of people who have recently sustained a spinal cord injury. From the time of acute admission through outpatient follow-up, our Spinal Cord Injury program provides a full continuum of care to those who have sustained any level of spinal cord injury - paraplegia, tetraplegia, also known as quadriplegia (including those who are ventilator dependent), or dual diagnosis (spinal cord and brain injury). Shepherd Center is one of 14 facilities in the U.S. that is designated as a Spinal Cord Injury Model System by the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR).

Brain Injury Rehabilitation Program

Shepherd Center treats people who have experienced the most complex brain injuries. Our early-recovery unit allows us to begin treating patients immediately after their injury. We also have a Disorders of Consciousness Program and a program for ventilator-dependent patients. We have treated thousands of people with brain injuries and 90 percent of our patients return to the community at a higher level of functioning than when they started rehab. Shepherd Center is one of 16 facilities in the U.S. that is designated as a Traumatic Brain Injury Model System by NIDILRR.

Comprehensive Rehabilitation Unit (CRU)

Designed for patients who are admitted with conditions that occurred post-injury or disease, this program offers treatment to stabilize these conditions and help secure better future health. CRU also admits patients who have sustained a catastrophic injury resulting in an amputation, multiple trauma, spinal cord injury, and acquired brain injury. 

Treatment for Neuromuscular Disorders

We extend our treatment expertise to individuals with acute pain resulting from back surgery, fractures, whiplash, or cancer. Other paralyzing neurological diseases can affect the body like a spinal cord injury, so we also treat patients with transverse myelitis, Guillain-Barré syndrome, spinal tumors, scoliosis, and spinal cord cysts.

Andrew C. Carlos Multiple Sclerosis Institute at Shepherd

The MS Institute at Shepherd is the region's most comprehensive treatment and rehabilitation center for people with multiple sclerosis. We focus on an accurate diagnosis of the disease, aggressive treatment of symptoms and exacerbations, education, rehabilitation, counseling, and clinical research. We are an official treatment facility designated by the National MS Society-Georgia Chapter, and a research partner with Harvard Medical School and MIT.

Shepherd Spine and Pain Institute

The Shepherd Spine and Pain Institute offers pain management for individuals experiencing chronic pain problems. The Institute takes a multi-disciplinary approach to the practice of medicine and specializes in the evaluation, diagnosis, and application of interventional treatment for the management of pain and related disorders.

Inpatient Services

• Intensive care
• Medical/surgical care
• Inpatient rehabilitation
  • Spinal cord injury
  • Brain injury
  • Stroke rehabilitation
  • Other neuromuscular disorders

Outpatient Services

• Day program
  • Spinal cord injury
  • Brain injury
• Outpatient rehabilitation
  • Spinal cord injury
  • Brain injury
  • Multiple Sclerosis
  • Chronic Pain
  • Upper Extremity
• Outpatient clinics
  • Multiple Sclerosis
  • Spine and Chronic Pain
  • Multi Specialty
  • Upper Extremity
  • Urology
  • Wound
  • Assistive technology
    • Seating Clinic
    • Driving Clinic
  • Fitness center with an indoor pool, gymnasium, weight room, track, and art studio

Our Mission

Shepherd Center’s mission is to help people with a temporary or permanent disability caused by injury or disease rebuild their lives with hope, independence, and dignity, advocating for their full inclusion in all aspects of community life while promoting safety and injury prevention.

Our Vision

• To be a center of excellence in patient care, education, and research.
• To be financially sound, having the resources to maintain quality services.
• To be a strong advocate for people with disabilities.

Our Values

• Accountability
• Compassion
• Competency
• Humor
• Innovation
• Integrity
• Respect
• Trust

Our Philosophy

• The best healing takes place when the highest ethical standards are followed - where mutual respect, justice, and equality are encouraged.
• The appropriate level of care results in the most positive medical outcomes within the limits of available resources.
• The most appropriate care is provided by a professional team working with each patient and family.
• Rehabilitation is a lifelong process that begins at Shepherd Center.
• Sharing research guarantees growth and improvement and benefits everyone.
• Primary injury prevention is a high priority at Shepherd Center.
• Supporting staff development improves the quality of services Shepherd Center provides.

Code of Ethical Conduct

Read Shepherd Center's Code of Ethical Conduct.