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.

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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.”