Shepherd Center

Dave Vanderplank seems like the kind of guy who’s never met a stranger. He greets everyone — familiar faces and newcomers alike — as he rolls into the Comprehensive Rehabilitation Unit (CRU) gym for his occupational therapy session. Dave works with his occupational therapist, Kelsey Taylor, MHS, OTR/L, to learn how to dress himself. For today's session, joining him are his mother, Dana, and his girlfriend, Amelia, highlighting the importance of support during his recovery journey. To help him practice getting dressed, Kelsey hands Dave a pair of oversized red shorts to pull over his own. “The goals are to practice coming forward, getting your legs up in order to drag on your pants,” Kelsey explains. “I find people have the most success getting a forearm underneath. We’ll have one arm back behind as a prop, get your forearm underneath, and then lean back until your foot lands in the shorts.” As Dave works, Kelsey also talks with him about how he might use spasms to his advantage—for example, learning to trigger a spasm to help lift his foot into his shorts. When Dave finally wriggles into them, everyone cheers. He smiles, clearly proud, and is ready to take on the next task: putting on a shirt. He’s chosen a Hawaiian shirt so he can practice buttoning it — and when Kelsey reaches for a buttoning tool, Dave protests with a laugh. Reflecting on these milestones, Dave says, “It’s fun seeing all the goals blend together. Putting on the shorts becomes more rolling. I’ve been working on rolling in PT and OT — learning how to move, how to forward balance, how to forward sit. I’m seeing all of those come together. Once I can roll to sit myself up, I could get a slide board and transfer to and from a chair without using the lift. It’s a lot of little goals that all build toward getting dressed, sitting up, getting to a chair.” Dave’s story shows how occupational therapy at Shepherd Center helps patients build independence by breaking big goals into meaningful steps. #OccupationalTherapy #OT #TherapySessions #NeuroRehabilitation #Atlanta #ShepherdCenter

In Richmond, Virginia, our Shepherd Swords fencing team made a statement. Showcasing sharp focus, relentless training, and unshakable teamwork, our athletes delivered their strongest performances in recent history, proving that this program is only getting better with every en garde. Here’s how the Shepherd Swords 🗡️ finished: 🏆 Ellen Geddes • Women’s Foil: 1st • Women’s Sabre: 3rd 🏆 Abe Kaplan • Men’s Foil: 2nd • Men’s Epee: 1st • Men’s Sabre: 1st 🏆 Leslie Irby • Women’s Foil: 8th • Women’s Sabre: 5th 🏆 Tim Birt • Men’s Foil: 6th • Men’s Epee: 6th • Men’s Sabre: 6th 10 total medals — including three of the six gold medals awarded Shout-out to Coach Justin Meehan and to Captain Ellen Geddes. Congratulations, Shepherd Swords! #DisabilityAwareness #ParaAthletes #AdaptiveSports #ShepherdCenter #Virginia

Eliza Reese, CRRN, has advanced from patient care tech to certified rehabilitation registered nurse in our Comprehensive Rehabilitation Unit (CRU), helping her patients stay medically stable so they can focus on rehabilitation. As we celebrate Nurses Week, we’re proud to highlight Eliza’s journey. The following interview showcases the impact she makes every day at Shepherd Center. You started at Shepherd Center while you were still a nursing student. What does it mean to do an externship and senior practicum? “An externship in nursing is a paid internship … eight weeks of work… four weeks… with a PCT, and then four weeks with a registered nurse. I stayed as a PRN PCT for the rest of that school year.” “[In the senior practicum,]you are basically side-by-side with a nurse, helping the nurse with med administration, managing care plans, doing education…” Can you explain your role at Shepherd? “I am an inpatient RN, a primary RN and am responsible for family training and education and speaking on behalf of my patients [during team conferences].” How did you know you wanted to be a nurse? I'm not sure I quite believed that I could be a nurse until I started going through nursing school, and then I was like, “Oh my gosh, this is exactly what I want to do.” “It combined the beauty of science with the progression of following people and watching them gain new skills.” What does a typical day look like for you? “I typically am at work by about 6:15 a.m. We start at 6:30 a.m. Because I work day shift, we're getting updates from the night shift nurse. ‘How did the patient sleep? Are there any new concerns? What does their therapy look like? medications, procedures. It just depends on the day.” What do you like most about your job? “I really enjoy following my patients through the progression of their skills. It’s really satisfying to help my patients go through these tiny little gains that are huge in the grand scheme of things.” Click the link in our bio for the full interview to learn more about Eliza’s journey. #NursesMonth #EmployeeHighlight #RehabilitationNurse #PCT #PatientCare #ShepherdCenter

To our nurses who provide the very best care every day, thank you. Your compassion, skill, and dedication extend far beyond clinical care. You support our patients and their families during some of life’s most challenging moments. We are deeply grateful for all that you do. #NursesWeek #NursesMonth #EmployeeHighlight #ThankYou #ShepherdCenter

Our volunteers are a pillar of Shepherd Center. Without their dedication, we could not provide exceptional care and support to our patients and families. Each year, we hold our Volunteer Appreciation Dinner to thank and recognize those who give so much in service to others. This special evening celebrates volunteers, honors their milestones, and acknowledges their impact across our programs. To our volunteers: your generosity and dedication shape the Shepherd experience and make a lasting difference in the lives of those we serve. We are grateful for you every day. #VolunteerAppreciation #Volunteers #Thankyou #DisabilityAwareness #ShepherdCenter #Atlanta

We honor mothers today. Our company began with a mother’s experience as her son faced a life-changing accident resulting in a spinal cord injury. We understand the emotions you carry when you walk through Shepherd Center’s doors because we know Alana’s journey. Shepherd Center was born from a mother’s love and built on family principles, which make us all one big family — including you and yours. So today, we wish you a Happy Mother’s Day. Thank you for everything you have been through, for showing up every day, and for being a constant source of strength and support. #Mother’sDay #ThankYouMom #ShepherdCenter #Atlanta

This Mother’s Day, we celebrate moms like Avani Patel, whose perseverance and love carried her through one of the most challenging times of her life. After multiple strokes caused her to experience paralysis, Avani turned to Shepherd Center, where she rebuilt her strength, regained her independence, and worked tirelessly to return to the life she loves. Through personalized care and determination, she not only returned to work, but most importantly to her, to being the present, active mother her children know and love. Today, Avani’s story is a powerful reminder that with the right support, healing is possible. This Mother’s Day, we honor her journey and every mother’s journey. Watch Avani Patel share her story by clicking the link in our bio. #Mother'sDay #StrokeAwareness #BrainInjuryAwareness #ShepherdCenter

Join us at the Global Accessibility Awareness Day Resource Fair! In recognition of Global Accessibility Awareness Day, Shepherd Center will host a resource fair on May 20, 2026, from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. in the Callaway Auditorium on the 7th floor. The fair will showcase accessible technology, adaptive equipment, community resources, and innovative tools that promote independence, while also providing education about both digital and physical accessibility. Additionally, we’ll be joined from 12:00 to 12:20 p.m. by Charlie Miller from the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities @gadbhdd , who will share his personal experience advocating for himself and for the disability community. This event is open to all. Spread the word! Share this post and invite others to join us. #GAAD #GlobalAccessibilityAwareness #AccessibilityForAll #DisabilityAwareness #ShepherdCenter #CommunityEvent #Atlanta

Imagine a career where your skills help patients reclaim independence. And where your growth is just as important. At Shepherd Center, that’s our promise. As we expand, we’re creating opportunities for nurses and therapists to thrive in a culture of collaboration and innovation. From mentorship and training to working alongside leaders in rehabilitation medicine, you’ll find a place where excellence isn’t just expected—it’s supported. Your future starts here. Join us in shaping what rehabilitation can be. Click the link in our bio to join our team. #ShepherdCenter #RehabCare #NursingCareers #TherapistLife #HealthcareHeroes #JoinOurTeam #NursesWeek

Twenty-two-year-old Bryson Parker and his occupational therapist, Jasmin Torres OTD, OTR/L, meet for Bryson’s therapy session in Shepherd Center’s Day Program gym. Bryson sustained a C4 spinal cord injury after experiencing a seizure and falling from his dorm room bed last year. He’s now back at Shepherd Center for a second round of the Day Program. Since returning, Bryson says he’s started learning to play the piano in music therapy, attended yoga, spent time at the ProMotion Fitness Center, and practiced what he’s learning in therapy in the apartment he shares with his mom at the Irene and George Woodruff Family Residence Center. Bryson is progressing well. He works on prop sitting — sitting up straight with his arms behind him for support on the mat. “The first time we got into prop sit, it took me at least 20 minutes to get him into that position because he was so tight and in so much pain,” Jasmin says. “It took us a while to progress to this.” Now, the prop position is easier for Bryson. He can feel the stretch but says he’s getting used to it. Jasmin is also helping him refine his movements. As a football player, Bryson tends to put a lot of power into his movements, and he spent time strengthening his biceps at home after the Day Program. But having strong biceps without relatively strong triceps helped contribute to tightness in his biceps and elbows. “In addition to getting more range in his elbows and biceps, he’s working a lot on posture correction,” Jasmin explains. “He holds a lot of tension in his neck and upper back, so a lot of it is coordinating the muscles.” “I used to depend on my headrest a lot,” Bryson says. “I don’t even use that anymore. I just sit up.” After posture and neck‑strengthening exercises, Bryson and Jasmin move on to hand exercises. Bryson is learning to put on a universal cuff (U‑cuff), which can hold items like a marker, toothbrush, or eating utensil. He practices drawing and writing his name and shares that he wants to return to writing, typing, and college for his junior year. #OccupationalTherapy #OccupationalTherapyMonth #SmallSteps #BigProgress #OTMonth #ShepherdCenter #Atlanta

Shepherd Center is teaming up with the City of Chattanooga Department of Parks and Outdoors, @Catalyst_Sports , and the @KellyBrushfdn to host an action-packed climbing clinic in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Discover adaptive climbing through expert instruction, live demonstrations, and hands-on practice. Date: May 19 Time: 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. Location: High Point Climbing Gym | 219 Broad Street, Chattanooga, TN 37402 Cost: FREE thanks to the Kelly Brush Foundation (includes t-shirt, instruction, and equipment) Click the link in our bio to register now. Note: Participants will need to arrange their own transportation. #RecreationTherapy #AdaptiveClimbing #DisabilityAwareness #DisabilityCommunity #ShepherdCenter #Atlanta #Chattanooga

In honor of Earth Day, our staff led seven patients to the Atlanta BeltLine to enjoy fresh air and give back to the community by picking up trash. To ensure everyone was able to participate, staff provided adaptive tools like reachers, creating a truly inclusive experience regardless of injury level. The purpose of this community outing was not only to clean up the environment, but also to give patients an opportunity to get outside their usual therapy routines and engage with the broader community. This real-world therapy experience builds important skills such as balance, core strength, and reaching, while also helping patients rejoin the wider community in a purposeful and empowering way. Thank you to recreation therapist Jacob Carenbauer, physical therapists Hanna Ribner and Maddie Nagy, occupational therapist Lance Adkins, and speech-language pathologist Rebekah Hogan for showing us how powerful it is to get outside in the community. #EarthDay #CommunityOuting #CommunityCleanup #Therapy #ShepherdCenter #AtlantaBeltline #ShepherdDayInTheLife