Atlanta’s Shepherd Center: A Practical Guide for Patients, Families, and Caregivers

If you live in Atlanta, Georgia or are coming here for medical care, the Shepherd Center is one of the city’s most recognized specialty hospitals. It focuses on spinal cord injury, brain injury, multiple sclerosis, complex neuromuscular conditions, chronic pain, and rehabilitation.

This guide explains what Shepherd Center is, how it typically serves Atlanta-area patients and visitors, what to expect if you’re coming from inside or outside the city, and how to navigate logistics like parking, lodging, and nearby resources.

What Is Shepherd Center?

Shepherd Center is a specialty rehabilitation hospital in Atlanta that focuses on:

• Spinal cord injury (SCI) rehabilitation
• Traumatic and non-traumatic brain injury (TBI) rehabilitation
• Stroke and other neurological conditions
• Multiple sclerosis (MS) and neuromuscular disorders
• Chronic pain and complex rehabilitation needs

It is not a general emergency hospital. Many people arrive here after they’ve been stabilized at another hospital (for example, Grady Memorial Hospital, Wellstar, Emory, or a hospital in another state).

Location & Contact Information

Shepherd Center
2020 Peachtree Road NW
Atlanta, GA 30309
Main phone (commonly listed): (404) 352-2020

This Peachtree Road campus is in the Buckhead/Midtown corridor, close to Piedmont Atlanta Hospital and several medical office buildings.

Who Typically Goes to Shepherd Center?

People in Atlanta may be referred to Shepherd Center if they have:

• Spinal cord injuries (from accidents, falls, sports injuries, or illness)
• Traumatic brain injuries (from crashes, falls, assaults, etc.)
• Stroke or other brain events that affect mobility, speech, or thinking
• Neuromuscular conditions such as ALS or muscular dystrophy
• Multiple sclerosis and related complications
• Chronic pain or complex rehabilitation needs where intensive therapy is helpful

Referrals often come from:

• Local hospitals (e.g., Grady, Emory, Piedmont, Northside)
• Out-of-state hospitals that specialize in trauma or acute care
• Community neurologists, physiatrists, or rehabilitation physicians
• Primary care providers

If you’re in the Atlanta area and think Shepherd Center might be appropriate, the first step is typically to talk with the physician or hospital care team already managing your case. They can help determine whether a referral is appropriate and handle the medical side of the process.

Types of Care and Programs at Shepherd Center

Shepherd Center focuses on rehabilitation and long-term neurological care, not routine outpatient primary care. Here are the kinds of services Atlanta residents and visitors often ask about.

Inpatient Rehabilitation

This is for people who need intensive, daily therapy after a significant injury or event. A typical inpatient program may involve:

• Physical therapy (PT) to regain movement, strength, and coordination
• Occupational therapy (OT) to relearn daily activities (bathing, dressing, household tasks)
• Speech-language therapy for communication, cognitive skills, and swallowing
• Psychology and counseling support for adjustment, coping, and family education
• Nursing and medical care focused on rehabilitation and long-term function

Patients stay on campus in a hospital setting and follow a structured therapy schedule.

Day Program / Outpatient Rehabilitation

Some people who live in the Atlanta metro area or are staying nearby may be able to use:

• Day programs: You come in for several hours of therapy multiple days a week but go home or to lodging each night.
• Traditional outpatient therapy: Shorter, scheduled visits for PT, OT, speech therapy, or follow-up consults.

These options can be important for Atlanta residents who want to continue rehabilitation while living at home or for out-of-town families who are staying in short-term housing nearby.

Specialized Neurology & MS Care

Shepherd Center also offers neurology-focused services, often used by local patients who:

• Have multiple sclerosis (MS) and need evaluation or symptom management
• Live with ALS or other neuromuscular conditions
• Need spasticity management or mobility-related support

These services often involve a combination of medical appointments, rehabilitation, and assistive technology assessments.

Assistive Technology, Wheelchairs, and Adaptive Equipment

For Atlanta-area patients with mobility challenges, Shepherd Center can be a resource for:

• Wheelchair evaluations and fitting
• Adaptive equipment recommendations for home, work, and driving
• Home and vehicle modification suggestions to improve safety and independence

Many locals use Shepherd Center for these specialized evaluations even if they had their initial injury care somewhere else.

How to Get Referred or Admitted

The process to reach Shepherd Center can feel overwhelming, especially for families new to Atlanta. In general, here’s how it commonly works.

1. Start With Your Current Hospital or Doctor

If you are currently:

• In an Atlanta hospital (for example, Grady, Emory, Piedmont, Northside, Wellstar)
• In a hospital outside of Georgia
• Or under the care of a local specialist

You typically:

1. Ask the treating physician whether Shepherd Center is appropriate for your condition.
2. Request that they send a referral or medical records to Shepherd Center’s admissions/intake team.
3. Work with the hospital’s case manager or social worker to coordinate insurance and logistics.

2. Contact Shepherd Center’s Admissions Office

Families often want to speak directly with Shepherd Center’s admissions or intake department to understand:

• Whether the center is a good fit for the person’s diagnosis
• What kind of program might be available (inpatient vs. outpatient)
• How insurance might work

The main hospital number can typically connect you to admissions or patient intake. When you call, be prepared with:

• Patient’s full name and date of birth
• Current hospital/location
• Insurance information
• Brief description of the injury or condition

3. Insurance, Costs, and Authorization

Shepherd Center generally works with a range of private insurers and public programs, but:

• Coverage varies widely by plan and diagnosis.
• Pre-authorization is often required before admission.
• Some services may be out-of-network depending on your plan.

It’s important to:

• Call the member services number on your insurance card.
• Ask whether Shepherd Center is in-network, what your rehab benefits are, and whether a referral is needed.
• Work closely with the Shepherd Center admissions team and your hospital case manager to line up authorizations.

Visiting Shepherd Center: Getting Around Atlanta

If you’re coming from another part of Atlanta—or another state—understanding local logistics can reduce stress.

Getting to Shepherd Center

Address:
2020 Peachtree Road NW, Atlanta, GA 30309

By car:

• Close to I-75/I-85 and GA-400, just north of Midtown Atlanta.
• Many families drive in from Cobb, DeKalb, Gwinnett, Fulton, and neighboring counties.
• Expect typical Atlanta traffic, especially weekday mornings (7–9 a.m.) and late afternoons (4–7 p.m.).

Parking:

• The campus typically has visitor parking in garages or lots near the main entrance.
• Ask staff or security about accessible parking, loading/unloading areas, and directions to specific buildings.

By MARTA:

• The closest rail stops are generally Arts Center or Lenox stations, but the hospital is not directly on the rail line.
• Many visitors use MARTA bus routes or rideshare (Uber/Lyft) from nearby stations.
• If relying on MARTA, it can be helpful to plan your route in advance, especially if mobility is limited.

Nearby Neighborhoods

Shepherd Center is in a busy medical corridor close to:

• Buckhead
• Midtown
• Brookwood
• West Midtown

These neighborhoods have:

• Hotels and extended-stay options
• Grocery stores, pharmacies, and restaurants
• Sidewalks and some walkable areas, though hills and traffic can be challenging for wheelchairs or mobility devices in certain spots

Lodging and Long-Term Stays for Families

Many people come to Shepherd Center from outside metro Atlanta and need somewhere to stay for weeks or months.

Common options include:

• Nearby hotels and extended-stay hotels along Peachtree Road, in Midtown, Buckhead, and along I-85.
• Short-term apartment rentals for families planning longer stays.
• In some cases, hospital-affiliated lodging resources or partnership properties may be available, especially for families in financial hardship or traveling long distances. These can change over time, so it’s important to ask the case management or social work team at Shepherd Center what is currently in place.

When planning a long stay:

• Ask about discounted medical rates at nearby hotels.
• Factor in parking fees and transportation to and from the hospital.
• Think about kitchen access for special diets and budget savings.

Support Services for Atlanta Families and Caregivers

Families often need more than just medical information. The process of adjusting to a serious injury or neurological condition can be emotionally and financially intense.

Here are supports Atlanta families often explore:

Hospital-Based Support

At Shepherd Center, you can typically expect:

• Case managers to help with discharge planning, equipment needs, and insurance coordination.
• Social workers or counseling staff who can connect you to community resources and emotional support.
• Family education programs on topics like caregiving skills, home safety, mobility, and communication.

You can ask the care team about:

• Caregiver training sessions
• Support groups available in person or virtually
• Help with planning for returning home, school, or work

Local Atlanta Resources

Families sometimes also connect with:

• Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency (GVRA) – for potential support related to employment and training for people with disabilities.
• Disability services offices at Atlanta-area colleges and universities for students returning to school.
• Local non-profit organizations focused on spinal cord injury, brain injury, MS, or ALS that host support groups, peer mentoring, and adaptive recreation events.

These local resources can be important for long-term adjustment once an inpatient stay at Shepherd Center is over.

Planning for Life After Shepherd Center

For Atlanta residents, Shepherd Center is often one phase in a longer journey, not the end of care.

When discharge approaches, common questions include:

• Where will outpatient therapy happen?
  • Some continue at Shepherd Center outpatient clinics.
  • Others transition to local rehab clinics closer to home in the metro area.
• What equipment is needed at home?
  • Wheelchairs, ramps, bathroom modifications, lifts, and home safety changes.
• How will transportation work?
  • Some rely on family vehicles, wheelchair-accessible vans, or local paratransit services like MARTA Mobility if eligible.
• Can I return to work or school?
  • This may involve gradual return plans, workplace or school accommodations, and coordination through employers, human resources, or campus disability services.

Be sure to ask Shepherd Center’s care team for a clear, written discharge plan, including:

• Recommended follow-up appointments
• Therapy schedule (if needed)
• Medication management instructions (from your prescribing providers)
• Names and contact information of community providers you’ll be seeing next

Tips for Atlanta Residents and Visitors Using Shepherd Center

Here are some practical, locally focused tips:

1. Plan for traffic and travel time.
Atlanta traffic is unpredictable. Build extra time into your schedule for appointments, especially during rush hours.

2. Use case managers and social workers.
They know local rehab options, community services, and possible financial assistance programs better than most families do.

3. Ask early about equipment and home changes.
If you live in an Atlanta-area home or apartment, you may need:

• Ramps or lifts
• Bathroom modifications
• Wider doorways or rearranged furniture

Starting the planning early can reduce stress at discharge.

4. Coordinate with local schools and employers.
If you or your family member attends school or works in metro Atlanta, ask about:

• Accommodations for mobility, fatigue, or cognitive changes
• Flexible schedules or a gradual return
• Remote work options when possible

5. Keep important numbers handy.
In addition to Shepherd Center’s main number, keep:

• Your local primary care doctor’s office
• Any specialist offices (neurologist, physiatrist)
• Your insurance member services number
• Contact information for your Shepherd Center case manager

Quick Overview: Shepherd Center at a Glance

Understanding how Shepherd Center fits into Atlanta’s healthcare landscape can help you make clearer decisions, ask better questions, and plan for both the medical and practical sides of care—whether you live in the city, elsewhere in Georgia, or are traveling from out of state.