Dr. Michael Yochelson

03/26/2025

The special 50th anniversary edition of Spinal Column is almost here! Be sure to grab your copy on campus or download the digital version when it goes live. It’s packed with unforgettable moments that celebrate Shepherd Center’s legacy and our 50-year mission of rehabilitation through hope, humor, and heart.

03/02/2025

Meet Dr. Michael Yochelson, Chief Medical Officer at Shepherd Center and a leader in neurology and rehabilitation medicine! 🏥 With a military background and extensive leadership in brain injury care, he has transformed rehabilitation practices to improve patient outcomes. Join us at the Disorders of Consciousness Conference to hear his expert perspective on neurological rehabilitation and brain injury treatment. 🧠

02/23/2025

50 years of great work!

01/30/2025

01/29/2025

We are thrilled to welcome Abana Azariah, M.D., to the Shepherd Center Medical Staff! 🎉 Dr. Azariah joins our inpatient Brain Injury Rehabilitation Program as the medical director of our Disorders of Consciousness (DoC) Program.

Dr. Azariah comes to us with an impressive background with an undergraduate degree in physiology and neuroscience. She completed her Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation (PM&R) training at Baylor College and a brain injury fellowship at MossRehab in Elkins Park, Pennsylvania.

Dr. Azariah is a leader in brain injury care, with numerous publications and presentations, including authoring a chapter in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Clinics, Disorders of Consciousness.

She’s excited to join the Shepherd family.

Please join us in giving her a warm welcome! 💙

10/10/2024

I’m very proud to work beside Dr. Rusty Gore!

10/05/2024

Join Shepherd Center’s Chief Operating Officer, Shari McDowell, as she speaks on a panel at the National Disability Employment

Awareness Month (NDEAM): Embracing Abilities in the Workplace event! Shari will discuss successful disability employment practices, peer networking, and art appreciation alongside representatives from various companies dedicated to inclusion.

The event will also feature an innovative art-based project to raise awareness and support for individuals with autism. It is sponsored by Disability:IN Greater Atlanta. This is a fantastic opportunity to learn about best practices in disability employment inclusion.

The event is free and offers an online option. Click the link below to register!

https://bit.ly/4dysvxm

09/05/2024

I’m excited to be working along side Shari. She brings a wealth of institutional knowledge and clinical experience to the role.

We're thrilled to announce that Shari McDowell, PT, DPT, FASIA, FACHE, a dedicated member of the Shepherd Center family for over 31 years, will take on the role of Chief Operating Officer (COO) this September! 🎉

As COO, Shari will bring her extensive clinical expertise and leadership to the senior management team, helping us continue to drive Shepherd’s strategic vision forward. “I am honored to have the privilege to help advance care at Shepherd Center,” Shari shared. “The needs of our patients and families will be front and center as we continue to drive toward excellence.”

Since joining Shepherd in 1992 as a physical therapist in the Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) Rehabilitation Program, Shari has held numerous leadership roles and made incredible contributions to our mission. In 2024, she was named a Fellow of the American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA), highlighting her distinguished accomplishments in SCI research, clinical practice, education, and advocacy.

We’re excited about the future under her leadership, and we know she’ll continue to elevate the care and support we provide to our patients and families.

Please join us in congratulating Shari on this incredible achievement!

08/31/2024

I’m thrilled that we will be opening the doors to our new housing tower for patients and families while they are receiving care at Shepherd Center.

06/11/2024

Big news! Today is the launch of Ventures, the first venture philanthropy fund focused on accelerating the development of innovative therapies for people living with paralysis – and Shepherd Center is part of it!

As a co-founder of SCI Ventures, we’re on a mission to spark innovation and bridge the gap between lab research and making discoveries available to help restore functions for those with spinal cord injury and ultimately cure paralysis.

At Shepherd Center, we’re honored to come together with Wings for Life, Spinal Research, Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation, and the Promobilia Foundation to support this single, first-of-its-kind, and truly game-changing investment vehicle. Through our combined network and knowledge, we plan to attract more capital to the SCI space by lowering the risk for additional investors from across the VC and healthcare industries.

Through our combined network and knowledge, we hope to attract more capital, investment, and awareness to develop therapies that will help people begin again after spinal cord injury.

Read more about the launch: https://bit.ly/3VxEsxE

06/01/2024

Enjoy a podcast with an interview by Dr Ravi Kasi about his great work in medical student mentoring.

04/15/2024

Dr. Michael Yochelson & Dr. Chris Giza presenting a poster at AAN on the revised definition of mTBI (ACRM) and new CARF guidelines for concussion program accreditation.