Mobility Spotlight: The Shepherd Center
Founded in 1975 as a modest six-bed rehabilitation hospital, the Shepherd Center has grown into one of the nation’s leading nonprofit hospitals dedicated to brain and spinal cord injury rehabilitation, serving patients with spinal cord injury, brain injury, stroke, multiple sclerosis, spine and chronic pain, and other neuromuscular conditions. Today, its mission revolves around restoring lives through care, research, and rehabilitation that prioritize independence, healing, and community reintegration.
The Shepherd Center’s mission closely aligns with Livable Buckhead’s goals: both organizations are rooted in improving quality of life—for patients and residents alike—and expanding access to services that foster wellness, equity, and resilience in Buckhead.
Moreover, the Shepherd Center’s current $360 million expansion—including the Arthur M. Blank Family Residences (160 new units to extend housing capacity for families) and the Marcus Center for Advanced Rehabilitation with its 30,000 sq ft Innovation Institute demonstrates a shared commitment to accessibility, community support, and integrated development.
Live, Work, Buckhead: Employer-Assisted Housing (EAH) Collaboration:
Shepherd Center has taken an instrumental role in our Employer-Assisted Housing (EAH) Program. Several Shepherd Center employees are participating in the EAH pilot enabling them to relocate within or near Buckhead, reducing commute times and easing housing cost burdens. This alignment showcases the center’s forward-thinking approach to workforce retention and sustainable living.
Embracing Alternative Commutes: Switch Your Trip & Georgia Commute Options:
Shepherd Center staff have actively engaged in Livable Buckhead’s mobility initiatives, including our Switch Your Trip program, which encourages employees to try new commute modes, and the Georgia Commute Options platform, offering trip tracking and rewards.
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Multiple Shepherd Center employees have tested alternative commute options such as carpooling, MARTA bus/train, biking, or mixing modes—as part of Switch Your Trip.
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A significant number of staff have registered for Georgia Commute Options, opting to reduce solo drives, ease congestion, and reap trip-tracking benefits.
These efforts reflect Shepherd Center’s commitment to sustainability, employee well-being, and reducing Buckhead’s environmental footprint.
Through our collaboration:
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EAH Participation: Shepherd Center is a leader among employers supporting workforce housing closer to Buckhead.
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Switch Your Trip Engagement: Employees are opting for commute alternatives testing new modes and expanding awareness.
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Georgia Commute Options Sign-ups: Many employees are actively tracking and modifying their commutes, helping decrease congestion and support healthier travel choices.
“I work at Shepherd Center in Buckhead, the world’s premier stand-alone hospital for brain and spinal cord rehabilitation. I’m a huge fan of Livable Buckhead—it’s transformed living here into a practical, enjoyable reality. Before, I faced a grueling 54-mile daily commute to and from work. Now, I’ve ditched that trek and live right in Buckhead. I carpool to work with a fellow Shepherd therapist, and I also take advantage of the MARTA bus and train system—it’s been fantastic. I track my trips on the Georgia Commute Options app, earning rewards for helping ease street congestion. It’s a win-win!”
— Shaanil Jairam, MD, MBA cum laude
By partnering through EAH programs, mobility encouragement, and active commute alternative adoption, The Shepherd Center exemplifies how employer engagement can transform both workforce and neighborhood livability. Their alignment with Livable Buckhead’s mission fostering accessible housing, better commute options, and sustainability—sets a standard for Buckhead’s corporate and nonprofit sectors.
Way to go, Shepherd Center!
