SpinalColumn - Shepherd Center

Transcription

Educational DVDs
SpinalColumn
Shepherd launches DVDs
for newly injured.
See Page 16
®
The Magazine of Shepherd Center: Providing Medical Treatment, Research and Rehabilitation | spinalcolumn.org
MS Ride
Team Shepherd helps Cox
Atlanta bike ride raise
$1 million for MS.
A Step Forward
Shepherd Center enrolls
first patient in national
spinal cord injury stem cell
clinical trial.
Return to Work
School principal returns
after near-fatal shooting.
Patient Profile
Former brain injury patient
credits both Shepherd
Center and a nature
preserve for his recovery.
New Equipment
Shepherd Center seeks
to add new therapeutic
equipment to advance
patient care.
Winter 2011
The Role
of the Caregiver
Shepherd Center trains and encourages patients’ loved
ones to be good caregivers – the kind with compassionate
hearts, strong wills and true selflessness.
Winter 2011
Photo by Evan Hampton
Letter from James Shepherd
SpinalColumn®
The Magazine of Shepherd Center
Shepherd Center
2020 Peachtree Road, NW
Atlanta, Georgia 30309
404-352-2020
[email protected]
www.spinalcolumn.org
Editor
Jane M. Sanders
Dear Friends,
Thirty years after my parents and I, along
with Dr. David Apple, founded Shepherd
Center, a Tennessee man began a similar
journey to mine. Businessman Scot Ware
experienced a massive stroke in 2005, and
he came to Shepherd Center for more
than three months of intensive rehabilitation. He came to Shepherd because of
our outstanding reputation and outcomes
– and because there was no specialized
rehabilitation facility in his hometown
south of Nashville.
During his rehabilitation at Shepherd
Center, Scot was impressed with the
expertise and technology we provided –
particularly a robotic locomotor training
device called the Lokomat®. So Scot and
his wife Sharon founded the WareCentre
in Franklin, Tenn., to fulfill a mission
similar to Shepherd Center’s outpatient wellness program called Beyond
Therapy®. Its goal is to restore hope and
offer new possibilities for people with
neurological conditions by combining
innovative equipment and expert staff for
optimal recovery.
The WareCentre filled a niche for
many people in the middle Tennessee
area, but the Wares wanted to expand,
and they knew that Shepherd Center’s
expertise could help make that possible. So Scot – who is now walking
and driving again – and Sharon decided
last year to gift the 10,000-square-foot,
state-of-the-art facility and its high-tech
therapeutic equipment to Shepherd. In
September, it became part of Beyond
Therapy® and the hospital’s first satellite
clinic outside Atlanta.
We believe this facility will help reduce
our waiting list for Beyond Therapy® and
meet a growing consumer interest in innovative rehabilitation therapies. Beyond
Therapy® is an intense, activity-based
Design
Soloflight Design
program that promotes improved health
and wellness, as well as neurological recovery, for people with spinal cord injury,
brain injury and other neuromuscular
disorders. We started Beyond Therapy®
in 2005, and it has served more than 150
people from 20 states and four foreign
countries.
The facility in Tennessee is following
the same clinical guidelines and protocol
as our facility on the main campus in
Atlanta. So patients in Tennessee will
experience the same program as they do
in the hospital.
We have received great support in
Tennessee for this expansion – both
from the medical community, as well as
from donors who want to fund Beyond
Therapy® services for people who need
them, but don’t have the means to pay.
This satellite facility represents a great
opportunity for raising awareness of
Shepherd Center’s excellent specialized care, and we look forward to seeing
many successful patient outcomes in this
new location.
Members
Fred V. Alias, Gregory P. Anderson,
David F. Apple, Jr., M.D., C. Duncan
Beard†, Brock Bowman, M.D.*, Wilma
Bunch*, James M. Caswell, Jr., Sara S.
Chapman, Clark Dean, John S. Dryman,
Mitchell J. Fillhaber*, David H. Flint,
Stephen B. Holleman*, Michael L. Jones,
Ph.D.*, Tammy King*, Donald Peck
Leslie, M.D., Douglas Lindauer, Bernie
Marcus, Joseph R. Moderow, Julian B.
Mohr, Charles T. Nunnally III, Sally D.
Nunnally, Clyde Shepherd III, J. Harold
Shepherd, Scott H. Sikes*, James E.
Stephenson, James D. Thompson,
Goodloe H. Yancey III†
Warm regards,
†
James H. Shepherd, Jr.
Chairman of the Board
About the Cover: Jarrett Mason was the
caregiver for his twin brother, Jerold
Mason of Lithonia, Ga., after Jerold
sustained a spinal cord injury in a car
accident in late 2007.
Photo by Gary Meek
Contributing Writers
Lauren Angelo, Sara Baxter, John
Christensen, Rachel Franco, Bonnie
Hardage, Ansley Martin, Dean Melcher,
Anne Pearce, Bill Sanders, Scott Sikes
Contributing Photographers
Amy Smotherman Burgess, Leita
Cowart, Thomas Elliott, Louie Favorite,
Jim Fitts, Erin Gossom, Evan Hampton,
Gary Meek
Board of Directors
James H. Shepherd, Jr., Chairman
Gary Ulicny, Ph.D., President and CEO
Emory A. Schwall, Vice President
William C. Fowler, Treasurer
Stephen B. Goot, Corporate Secretary
Alana Shepherd, Recording Secretary
*
Ex Officio
Emeritus
Spinal Column is published quarterly by
Shepherd Center, a private, not-for-profit
hospital specializing in the treatment
of people with spinal cord injury and
disease, acquired brain injury, multiple
sclerosis and other neuromuscular
disorders, and urological problems.
E-mail change of address information or
request to be removed from our mailing
list to [email protected], or
by mail to Shepherd Center, Attn: Spinal
Column Mailing List, 2020 Peachtree
Road, NW, Atlanta, Georgia, 30309.
Please include mailing label. Spinal
Column accepts no advertising. Spinal
Column is a registered trademark of
Shepherd Center.
w w w. s p i n a l c o l u m n . o r g
Winter2011Contents
SpinalColumn
®
The Magazine of Shepherd Center:
Providing Medical Treatment, Research and Rehabilitation
12
14
Remarkable Return to Work:
School principal returns to work less than
six months after being paralyzed in a
shooting.
Photo by Erin Gossom
Cover
Story
16
Beyond Trauma:
Shepherd Center launches educational
DVD series for newly injured people and
their families.
The Role of
the Caregiver
Shepherd Center trains and
encourages patients’ loved
ones to be good caregivers.
Photo by Louie Favorite
Features
Another Step Forward:
Shepherd Center enrolls first patient in
national spinal cord injury stem cell clinical
trial.
19
17
18
Supporting New Technology:
Shepherd seeks to add new therapeutic
equipment to advance patient care.
Bike MS:
Team Shepherd helps Cox Atlanta bike ride
raise $1 million for MS.
Departments
2 Short Takes
19
Research: ACTION Clinical Trial
20Patient Profile: Charlie Sweat
22Ask the Doc
23Medical Staff Profile: Payal Fadia, M.D.
24Shepherd Alums
26Foundation Features
42Tributes
If you would like to make a gift to support the work
you have read about, please contact Scott H. Sikes
at the Shepherd Center Foundation at 404-350-7305
or visit shepherd.org.
ShortTakes
Photo by Gary Meek
Shepherd Snapshots: A Look at News and Other Notes
Above: John Anschutz, manager of the Shepherd Center Assistive
Technology Center, recently received a prestigious research and
engineering award for driver rehabilitation innovations.
Assistive Technology Manager
Honored with Prestigious Award
John Anschutz, manager of the Shepherd Center Assistive
Technology Center (ATC), recently received the Award for
Research and Applied Engineering from the Association for Driver
Rehabilitation Specialists.
The competitive award is given to an individual, group
or organization that has demonstrated outstanding
accomplishments in research and applied engineering related to
the mobility of a person with a disability. Anschutz, who has managed the ATC since 1995, has helped
create comprehensive services for people with disabilities in
wheeled seating and mobility, adapted driving services, and
electronic aids for daily living and computer accessibility.
“With a lifetime interest in technology and a bachelor of science
in computer and information science from the Georgia Institute
of Technology, John has demonstrated a great ability to review
healthcare consumer needs and then create viable technology
solutions,” says Gary Ulicny, Ph.D., CEO of Shepherd Center.
— Jane M. Sanders
New Book Celebrates Shepherd
Center’s Success
A new book titled “Shepherd Center: A Journey of Hope – Life
Beyond Injury” has just been published to mark the hospital’s
35th anniversary. The book documents the past, present and
future of Shepherd Center through a matrix of patient stories
and color photos.
The 168-page, coffee
table book is largely a
photo essay featuring
91 photographs of
former Shepherd Center
patients from all walks
of life, spanning the
Shepherd continuum
of care from spinal
cord and brain injury
to multiple sclerosis
and chronic pain. The
book also chronicles
the work of various
Shepherd Center departments
and services in sidebar articles.
Atlanta writer John Yow wrote the text for the book, Atlanta
photographer Billy Howard photographed the subjects and
Laurie Shock of Shock Design Books designed the book.
Copies of the new book can be purchased at the Shepherd
Center Apothecary or shepherdstore.org for $39.95.
The book is the culmination of two years of work by a
Shepherd Center committee led by Scott Sikes, executive
director of the Shepherd Center Foundation, and Perry
Ann Williams, director of provider relations. Serving on the
committee were hospital co-founders, Alana, Harold and
James Shepherd, as well as Medical Director Emeritus, David
Apple, M.D., Foundation special advisor Dell Sikes, and
Foundation staff members Betty Gardner and Patty Golub.
— Jane M. Sanders
Shepherd Center Honored as Part of Haitian Amputee Coalition
Donald Peck Leslie, M.D.,
works in a Haitian clinic.
2 Spinal Column
The international organization Physicians
for Peace recently honored the Haitian
Amputee Coalition, of which Shepherd
Center is a member, for its work
in establishing a clinic to fabricate
prosthetics for Haitian amputees and
help them learn to walk again.
Medical Director Donald Peck
Leslie, M.D., and several Shepherd
Center physical therapists made
numerous trips to Haiti following the nation’s devastating
earthquake in January 2010. They traveled there as part
of the Haitian Amputee Coalition, a group that includes
Atlanta businessman Harold Anderson, Ivan Sabel’s Hanger
Orthopedics Group and the Catholic Medical Mission Board.
The Haitian Amputee Coalition started a prosthetics clinic
at Hospital Albert Schweitzer. It has fitted hundreds of injured
Haitians injured for prosthetic limbs, primarily legs. For more
information, see Haitian-amputee-coalition.org.
— Jane M. Sanders
for the second half of 2011 at
several rehabilitation facilities,
including Shepherd Center. At
that time, eligible patients will
have the opportunity to enroll
in a medically supervised
eLEGS gait training program.
“Exoskeletal robotic
orthoses, like ReWalk and
eLEGS, offer a method
for increasing ambulatory
ability in spinal cord-injured
individuals for whom current
rehabilitation methods are
Above: Representatives from
inadequate,” says Keith
Berkeley Bionics demonstrate a
Tansey, M.D., Ph.D., director of bionic exoskeleton called eLEGS for
spinal cord injury research at
Shepherd Center staff and patients.
Shepherd Center. “At present,
they represent ‘substitution’ as a means to greater functional
ability, but may be used in the future to augment ‘restoration’ or
neurological recovery.”
For more information on ReWalk, see www.argomedtec.com. For
more information on eLEGS, see www.berkeleybionics.com.
— Jane M. Sanders
Shepherd Raises Awareness Among First Responders about People
with Impaired Ability to Speak and Understand Words
Photo by Leita Cowart
Shepherd Center
speech-language
pathologist Tracey
Wallace conducted an
Aphasia Awareness
Training Session Nov.
16, 2010 for Atlantaarea police, firefighters
and emergency
management
Above: Former patient Ryan Bloyd
technicians.
assisted speech therapist Tracey
Wallace in a presentation about aphasia.
Aphasia, which often
occurs after a stroke or
brain injury, is an impaired ability to speak and understand words.
About one million people in the United States have aphasia.
The training is important to police and emergency personnel
who may encounter people with aphasia during stressful situations.
“Police can mistakenly think people with aphasia are drunk or
trying not to be helpful,” Wallace says. “And it’s not uncommon for
people with aphasia to become frustrated because they can’t say
what they want to say, and instead unintentionally say something
inappropriate. If the officers are not prepared for that, they might
misunderstand, and it could change the tone of their interaction.
“Also, there have been cases where people with aphasia were
trying to report a crime or medical emergency, and they have
difficulty explaining the problem,” she adds.
Major Susan Miller, director of the Fulton County Public Safety
Training Center, says civilian personnel also attended because they
sometimes interact with people who have aphasia. Included in the
training were tools and tips that will enable emergency personnel to
communicate more easily with people who have the disorder.
Also attending the session were several people with aphasia
who gave participants first-hand experience with the condition.
Among them was Ryan Bloyd, who was treated at Shepherd.
The training was provided under the auspices of the National
Aphasia Association. Funding for the training materials was
provided by the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation.
— John Christensen
Winter 2011 3
Photo by Gary Meek
Shepherd Center staff and patients were recently treated to
live demonstrations of two new technologies that may provide
enhanced mobility to people with spinal cord injuries and other
conditions that affect the ability to walk.
Argo Medical Technologies demonstrated its ReWalk™ system
– an upright walking assistance tool that enables wheelchair users
with lower-limb disabilities to stand, walk and climb stairs. It is
being studied in clinical trials at MossRehab in Elkins Park, Pa., and
may become available to Shepherd patients in the future.
ReWalk is a walking device that consists of a robotic exoskeleton
for the legs, a lightweight brace for the trunk and a rechargeable
power pack. The device is worn around the legs and back and fits
closely to the body on top of clothing. A concurrent use of forearm
crutches stabilizes the upright user, who is able to independently
power the device through an interface worn on the wrist and initiate
movement and control the legs through simple body language.
Also, Berkeley Bionics™ demonstrated the company’s new
exoskeleton called eLEGS. It is a wearable, artificially intelligent,
bionic device that assists users with standing and walking. Five
years in development, the exoskeleton can be adjusted quickly to
fit most people between 5 feet, 2 inches and 6 feet, 4 inches and
weighing up to 220 pounds. Users must be able to self-transfer
from their wheelchair.
Clinical trials of eLEGS will begin early this year at select U.S.
rehabilitation clinics. A limited release of the device is scheduled
Photo by Name Goes Here
ReWalk, eLEGS Technologies Demonstrated
at Shepherd Center
The
Photo by Gary Meek
CoverStory
role of the
caregiver
Shepherd Center trains and
encourages patients’ loved
ones to be good caregivers –
the kind with compassionate
hearts, strong wills and true
selflessness.
By Bill Sanders
f
or some time now, Shepherd Center counselors,
case managers, therapists, nurses and doctors
have understood this essential truth: Taking care
of the patient’s caregiver is a big part of caring for
the patient.
In most cases – certainly in the most serious of
spinal cord and brain injuries – if a patient lacks a
trained and dedicated support system at home,
it hinders them from experiencing a life that’s as
full as a person with the same injury who has that
kind of support in place. It’s why Shepherd Center
devotes so much time to training and encouraging
the families of those injured.
Right: After his twin brother, Jerold Mason of Lithonia, Ga., was paralyzed by a spinal
cord injury in 2007, Jarrett Mason served as his brother’s caregiver for a year.
4 Spinal Column
Winter 2011 5
Photo by Hollie Alderman Long
Photo by Beth Tackett
Left: Nancy Tharp
of Winona, Miss.,
is the caregiver
for her 29-year-old
daughter Jodie,
who sustained a
severe traumatic
brain injury in a car
accident in 2004.
Nancy was recently
named Caregiver
of the Year by the
Brain Injury
Association of
Mississippi.
“The role of a caregiver is essential
for people with spinal cord and
brain injuries, though the needs
are different,” says Kathy Farris,
occupational therapy manager in
Shepherd’s Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) Program and chair of the
And J.D. Frazier, 51 of Marietta, Ga., unable to move from the
ABI/Neurospecialty Unit’s Family Education Committee. “So, family
chest down because of a C-4 SCI he sustained 26 years ago,
training starts from day one.”
has had great professional caregivers through the years and is
Of course, the role of caregiver varies from person to person,
now in the business of seeing to it that others do, as well.
depending on the nature of the injury and needs of the loved one.
Now, these caregivers and former patients share their
But all good caregivers have compassionate hearts, strong wills
experiences and offer insight and encouragement for others.
and true selflessness.
Nancy Tharp of Winona, Miss., cringes a bit when people tell
Once a Mother, Always a Mother
her how amazing she is. It’s more than humility. She just doesn’t
Nancy Tharp has a routine that borders on mundane and,
view her role as caregiver for her 29-year-old, brain-injured
thanks to a full-time job, is somewhat relentless. Almost every
daughter, Jodie, as a sacrifice or something to
working mother can relate, but for Nancy,
be lauded.
the difference is the additional role of
Anne Hall, of Fayetteville, N.C., is the
caregiver for her 29-year-old daughter, Jodie,
primary caregiver for her fiancé, James
who sustained a severe brain injury in an
The role of
Howard, 30, who sustained a C-6 to -7 spinal
automobile accident nearly seven years ago.
caregiver
cord injury (SCI) in early 2008. If you tried to
Jodie was a student at Ole Miss, majoring
varies from
tell her 18 months ago that she shouldn’t be
in
speech
pathology. On her way back
person to
James’ sole caregiver – that someone else
to school from a visit at home, she lost
person,
might be able to do a portion of the caregiving
control of her car, ran off the road and then
depending on
duties as well as she did – she’d have told you
overcorrected. Her car rolled, and she was
the nature of
how wrong you are. Her mind has changed
thrown from the vehicle.
the injury and
now – at least somewhat.
“One of the bystanders called from my
needs of the
Jerold Mason, 26, of Lithonia, Ga., has an
daughter’s phone,” Nancy recalls. “There
loved one.
identical twin brother, Jarrett, who took care of
was a nurse at the scene, by chance, and all I
Jerold for a year after he sustained a C-6 to -7
knew was that she was being airlifted and that
SCI in late 2007. Jarrett cared for his brother
she was breathing. That’s all I knew.” She was
while also working full time and having a young family of his own. flown to the Regional Medical Center.
Jerold can hardly talk about his brother’s love and commitment
After 26 days in Memphis, Jodie was admitted to Shepherd
without choking up. “Words can’t describe it,” he says.
Center. “That was the greatest thing ever,” Nancy says.
6 Spinal Column
At 6:30 a.m., Jodie will yell, “Mama!” The only time she says
“Mama” is when she wants Nancy to come to her. Jodie’s
speech is limited, but “Mama” and “I love you” are music to
Nancy’s ears, she says. Nancy gets Jodie changed and fed and
turns on her daughter’s beloved television.
The caregiver arrives around 7:45 a.m. and three days a
week, takes her to therapy.
Nancy gets home around
5 p.m., and they eat, play
No one at Shepherd painted a falsely rosy picture of what lay
ahead. But they left open the door that things could improve,
Nancy recalls. And they also reminded her that even if Jodie’s
condition never greatly improved, both mom and daughter
could have a good life.
“We knew she had a deep bruise to the brain, but no one
knew what would happen,” she says. “The brain is going to
do what it does. Dr. (Donald Peck) Leslie told us that medically
speaking, she’d never be 100 percent. But then he said, ‘I can’t
tell you that for certain. I’m not the
one doing the healing, I’m doing
the helping.’ I knew that when Dr.
Leslie said that, we were in the
right place. I know God is the one
who performs miracles.”
After about 10 weeks at
Shepherd Center, the Tharps
returned to Mississippi. Today,
Jodie lives with Nancy and has
a caregiver stay with her during
the day while Nancy works. But
Nancy is the primary caregiver
and says she will be as long as it’s
physically possible. In fact, Nancy
was recently named Caregiver
of the Year by the Brain Injury
Association of Mississippi.
“People ask if it’d be easier if
she was in a facility,” Nancy says.
“I’ve never even considered that,
and as long as I can take care of
her, there is no reason for her not
to be at home.”
A nurse in Memphis told Nancy
she was about to embark on the
biggest roller coaster ride of her
life. She was right.
“There are repetitive ups and downs,” she says. “But you
never give up. If you do, you’ve lost. You’ve got to pay attention
to what’s going on, look for things ahead of time that might be a
problem, learn to ask questions and do research.”
On a daily basis, the Tharps life goes like this:
Left: Anne Hall is the
caregiver for her fiancé,
James Howard, of
Fayetteville, N.C. He
sustained a C-6 to -7
spinal cord injury in a
diving accident in 2008.
They have hired someone
to help James with
personal care a few times
a week. Both plan to return
to graduate school soon.
games or paint, watch TV together and communicate in a
manner they have both learned. Then, Nancy gets her ready for
bed. That’s Monday through Friday.
“On weekends, things are different,” Nancy says. “Wherever
I go, Jodie goes. I can push her wheelchair and pull a buggy at
Winter 2011 7
8 Spinal Column
the grocery store at the same time. She likes to get out and see
people. And she likes having her family and friends come over.
She understands everything that’s going on. You can tell that.”
At times, Nancy reflects about how things have been and
looks ahead to how they will be. Mostly, though, she lives in the
moment and wants to let everyone know that she and Jodie are
fine. Though they struggle with the situation sometimes, their faith
brings them peace and confidence. And Nancy is determined to
give Jodie her best.
“I’m realistic,” Nancy says. “If I give up, that’s it. I’m not going
to give up. As a parent and an advocate, I have to fight for her
because no one else can do it for her. Once you walk in these
shoes, you want to help someone else walk a little easier, so
however I can help others in this situation, I will.
“It amazes me when people say how remarkable I am,” Nancy
adds. “No, I’m a mama who’ll take care of her child. It’s not
Below: J.D. Frazier of
Marietta, Ga., sustained a
C-4 spinal cord injury in a
work-related fall 26 years
ago. He has had great
professional caregivers,
including Monique Green
(pictured), through the
years and now has a
business of helping others
find them. Right: Nurse
educators Joycelyn Craig,
left, and Tamara Young,
right, demonstrate a
cough-assist procedure to
caregiver Sharon Sasser.
something special. Nothing is so
monumental that I can’t handle it.
Sometimes, I get scared, but I do the
best I can.
“We’re not like we were before the
injury, but we’re a lot better off than a
lot of people,” Nancy adds. “It has made our life different, but this
is what God has for us to do, and we will do it.”
A Fiancé’s Love
James Howard and Anne Hall might have been married by now
had James not sustained a spinal cord injury in a diving accident
in February 2008. But don’t get the wrong idea. James’ injury has
done nothing to diminish Anne’s love for him. If anything, it’s been
strengthened through the trials and tests that a catastrophic injury
can bring.
James, a sevenyear member of the
U.S. Army’s 82nd
Airborne Division,
was training for
the Special Forces
when he sustained
an incomplete
C-6 to -7 SCI in
an off-duty diving
accident. Today, he
has plans to return
to college and earn
a graduate degree.
Anne, who also
plans to pursue a
graduate degree,
is James’ primary
caregiver, as well
as his fiancé.
She knows now
Photo by Gary Meek
that being the sole caregiver of the one you plan to marry isn’t
necessarily a good idea.
“It affected our intimacy for a while when he became more of a
patient than a partner,” Anne says. “We’ve been honest and open
about both of our desires to keep those two things separate now.
Once he became more independent, we started doing that. A lot
of caregivers, like me, think they can do it better than anyone else.
There was a level of stubbornness from me initially.
“It really is a fine line that is important to walk, and it became
blended in the first year and a half after James’ injury,” Anne
explains. “But we were doing what needed to be done, and I’m
proud of us for not letting it stop any of our routines, such as
seeing family and traveling.”
James has learned to dress himself, transfer into and out of
his wheelchair, and recently, he began driving his adapted truck.
He uses a manual chair away from home and has built up a
tremendous amount of strength in his upper body.
Brotherly Love
“If you saw him, you might not know he is a quad,” Anne says.
Jerold Mason’s first caregiver was his father. His next was his
“He does a lot of things like a para does. Starting to drive again
brother. What those two did for him, Jerold knows, cannot be paid
was a huge step for him in getting some independence back.”
back. Instead, he rests in the knowledge that he would have done
James and Anne have hired someone to come in three times
the same for his family if the situation had been reversed.
a week for some personal care for James, and they look forward
In December 2007, Jerold was in a car crash in California. A
to a future of more independence, as well as time enjoying each
speeding driver hit his car on a winding hill, causing his car to flip
other’s company.
and land on the passenger side.
“We put our wedding on the back burner because, quite frankly,
“The next thing I remember, I was waking up in a hospital with
there were more important things than the ceremony,” Anne says.
someone screwing screws into my halo,” Jerold recalls. “After that,
“The commitment we’ve made already is as big as it gets, so we’ll
the next thing I remember, I was waking up in Desert Regional
probably wait until we move back home to Virginia to get married.
Medical Center in Palm Springs, being told that I had passed away
“After that, he’ll go back to grad school for civil engineering,
twice, and had a pacemaker put in. Then in January 2008, I came
and I’ll go back, too,” she adds. “My caring for him like this is
to Shepherd.”
short term. Within a year or so, we’ll both be
Jerold had sustained a C-6 to -7 SCI. “The
back in school, which will be good for us.
only thing I could do at first was turn my head
I’ll always have a role as caregiver, but he’ll
from right to left,” he explains. “I couldn’t move
“I’m not going
become more independent. That’s a big
my shoulders, hands or anything and couldn’t
to give up. As a
goal for both of us. We want to pursue goals
feel anything. Keeping me limber was my first
parent and an
individually and together, and we’re both very
goal at Shepherd.
advocate, I
supportive in that.”
“Now, I can feel the top part of my shoulders,
have to fight for
In one of Anne’s journal entries, she writes
from the chest up,” Jerold says. “Below that is a
her because no
about why she is committed to taking care of
very dull sensation. I believe in God and think he
one else can
James: In the most simple terms, I believe in
has bigger plans for me.”
do it for her.”
James and his resilience and commitment. And I
For more than a year after the injury, Jerold’s
— Nancy Tharp
do it out of love and respect.
brother, Jarrett, sacrificed all of his free time to
Winter 2011 9
Photo by Gary Meek
Below: Brain injury
occupational therapy
manager Kathy Farris
discusses caregiving
procedures with
Kevin Kelly, father of
patient Patrick Kelly
of Queensbury, N.Y.
take care of his twin. It was the kind of love, friendship and loyalty
that defies words.
“I bought a house in April 2009, and my brother moved his family
into my home and started taking care of me,” Jerold says. “I know it
was taxing on him, taking care of me, watching his kids during the
day and working at night. He was working 16 to 17 hours a day.”
Jarrett’s routine involved getting his brother out of bed, assisting
with bowel care, bathing and dressing him, and taking him to
doctor’s appointments and elsewhere. Meanwhile, Jarrett was an
involved father, helping his children with homework and meeting
their needs. Around 9 p.m., Jarrett went to work as a security guard.
He’d return home at 6 a.m., get his kids ready for school, sleep a
few hours and then start again.
Saying ‘thank you’ to his brother seemed hollow to Jerold, but
what more could he say? “I told him how much I appreciated it, but
he didn’t want me to need for anything,” Jerold says. “He wanted
to do as much as he could for me because he is my brother.”
In 2010, Jerold got engaged, and Jarrett and his wife had another
baby. So Jerold told his brother enough was enough.
“My fiancé moved in, and I have a longtime friend of the family
coming in to help now,” Jerold says. “My brother had to get some
1 0 Spinal Column
time with his family and his new baby. We still see each other a
couple of times a week.
“I look back now and think, ‘How could I repay him? I wouldn’t
know how to start,’” Jerold adds.
A Caregiving Expert
What James, Jodie and Jerold have experienced is caregiving
that worked. It’s rarely that smooth, says J.D. Frazier, a complete
quadriplegic who has employed numerous caregivers over the
past 26 years and owns Para/Quad Services Inc., a business that
provides caregivers to people with disabilities.
J.D. took over Para/Quad several years ago after the retirement of
his father, who started the business following his son’s injury. Now,
he’s the owner and a client who faces the same challenges any
other client faces.
“Some people think that because I own a private home care
provider business that I’ve been able to hand pick caregivers,” J.D.
says. “Nothing could be further from the truth. My motto has always
been to take the caregivers as they come and have them placed
with me just like any other client would.”
One challenge has been limits on the type of caregiver a person
can employ using their disability benefits. But a new law in Georgia
now allows a person to select their own caregiver, regardless of
professional certification, and pay that person using disability
payments.
“It is almost unfathomable how much of a difference that is going
to make in the relationship between a person with a disability, their
family and the caregiver,” J.D. says. “For the first time, people who
receive this type of care will be able to refuse caregivers they don’t
choose to have around and choose the ones they want, including
non-licensed caregivers who can be trained and chosen personally
by the person receiving the care.”
J.D. has had multiple caregivers through the years, including
more than one at a time from more than one agency. Some of them
worked out so well that he employed them for more than 10 years,
with each of them assisting him at home, in his undergraduate and
graduate schoolwork, and at his office.
Caregiver Training
Shepherd Center’s emphasis on educating patients and their
families includes information on finding and training caregivers
Photo Courtesy of J.D. Frazier
– whether they are family members or
professionals.
Training involves classroom and handson sessions to teach family members
about the injury, how to perform daily
care for their loved one, where to find
resources and what to expect as recovery
progresses.
“At the start of rehab we work with
families to involve them with some
small tasks that can help give them
some control over things,” says Kathy
Farris, occupational therapy manager in
Shepherd’s Acquired Brain Injury Program.
“They are contributing to their loved one’s
care and gaining confidence in all the new
things they are learning along they way.”
For families of spinal cord injury
patients, nurse educator Joycelyn Craig
coordinates a lecture series with the goal
of teaching patients and families about
the injury and the care they will need after
discharge from Shepherd.
“The person seeking help needs to
have more knowledge than the one they
are hiring,” Craig says. “Few people have
that kind of patient-specific knowledge,
so we try to teach family members how to
do various tasks so they can become the
caregiver’s teacher.”
The specific assistance a caregiver
provides to a brain- or spinal cord-injured
person can differ significantly, but finding
the right caregiver – the one who fits into
the injured person’s world – is critical,
experts agree. When you find the right
one, you have a gem.
Tips on Finding a
Good Caregiver
J.D. Frazier, who has complete quadriplegia,
has needed caregivers for more than 25
years. He also runs a business that provides
caregivers who are based in a person’s
home, and he’s the governor-appointed
chairman of the Georgia Brain and Spinal
Injury Trust Fund Commission. Here are his
tips on finding and keeping a caregiver:
• The skill set of the caregiver, not the licensing level, determines the
quality of care. A non-licensed, or lower-level licensed, caregiver can cost
less and be more effective than a higher-licensed one who might not fit
into the family’s comfort zone.
• Identify your own role and responsibilities in the caretaking process
and communicate that information to everyone around you. Get
feedback from your family on their privacy needs and boundaries,
and then have the caregiver adjust their role to make the experience
successful.
• It’s like finding a spouse. You have to be careful and thorough, and
then you go through a honeymoon period where both parties have to
make sure it works. You have cultural, religious, political and work ethic
differences, and they all become apparent. If you don’t know what you
want, the caregiver won’t either. You’ve got to be clear on what you want.
The best caregivers, regardless of certification, foster mutual respect
and understand professional boundaries.
• The ways in which you find the right caregiver are as varied as finding
a spouse or a roommate. Word of mouth, bulletin boards and online lists
are some approaches. Just like finding those other people, you have to be
careful, though.
• If you need someone to provide more than medical care, like many
people do, make that clear upfront. Some caregivers will clean house,
cook and run errands.
Additional information is available from the following Websites and national
organizations:
• My Vital Connections (www.myvitalconnections.org)
• National Family Caregivers Association (www.thefamilycaregiver.org)
• Brain Injury Association of America (www.biausa.org)
• National Spinal Cord Injury Association (www.spinalcord.org)
• Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation (www.christopherreeve.org)
+
To read this story and view more photographs online,
visit www.spinalcolumn.org
Winter 2011 1 1
Photo Courtesy of CIRM
StemCellFeature
Shepherd Center enrolls first
patient in national spinal cord
injury stem cell clinical trial.
Photo Courtesy of CIRM
By Jane M. Sanders
Shepherd Center File Photo
Another Step
Forward in
the Quest to
Find a Cure
for Paralysis
In October 2010,
Shepherd Center
enrolled the first patient
in an early-stage clinical
research trial of a
human embryonic stem
cell-based therapy.
The patient, who underwent rehabilitation at Shepherd, will be
monitored closely for one year and then examined periodically for
an additional 14 years.
The Phase I clinical trial, which is the world’s first such study,
will enroll up to 10 newly injured people nationwide who have
sustained a complete, thoracic-level spinal cord injury. Participants,
who will be treated with a therapy called GRNOPC1 at one of up
to seven sites nationwide, must meet the study’s specific eligibility
criteria listed online at www.clinicaltrials.gov. The study is sponsored
by Geron Corporation (www.geron.com) of Menlo Park, Calif.
“We are pleased to have our patients participating in this exciting
research,” says Donald Peck Leslie, M.D., medical director of
1 2 Spinal Column
Shepherd Center. “Our medical staff will evaluate the
patients’ progress as part of this study. We look forward
to participating in clinical trials that may help people with
spinal cord injury.”
David Apple, M.D., Shepherd Center’s medical director
emeritus and principal investigator of this trial, adds: “This
clinical trial represents another step forward in Shepherd
Center’s involvement in an attempt to find a cure for paralysis in
people with spinal cord injury. Shepherd Center is an ideal place to
conduct this study because of our clinical expertise and the volume
of patients referred here for rehabilitation care.”
Geron’s president and CEO, Thomas B. Okarma, Ph.D., M.D.,
commented on the significance of this clinical trial in a news
release in October. “Initiating the GRNOPC1 clinical trial is a
milestone for the field of human embryonic stem cell (hESC)based therapies,” Okarma noted. “When we started working
with hESCs in 1999, many predicted that it would be a number
of decades before a cell therapy would be approved for human
clinical trials. This accomplishment results from extensive research
and development and a succession
“When we started working with human Embryonic Stem
of inventive steps… leading to
Cells in 1999, many predicted that it would be a number
concurrence by the U.S. Food and
of decades before a cell therapy would be approved for
Drug Administration (FDA) to initiate
human clinical trials. This accomplishment results from
the clinical trial.”
extensive research and development and a succession of
People enrolled in the trial will
inventive steps.” — Thomas B. Okarma, Ph.D., M.D.
undergo a surgical procedure to
inject Geron’s stem cell-based
therapy, called GRNOPC1, into the
and nerve-growth stimulating properties leading to restoration of
spinal cord. Shepherd Center participants in the study will then
function in animal models of acute spinal cord injury, according to
receive rehabilitation treatment and study follow-up assessments
research published in the Journal of Neuroscience (Vol. 25) in 2005.
at Shepherd.
“Stem cell transplants could deliver immune modulating
The trial is limited to newly injured adult patients with a complete
or growth factors, eventually deliver therapeutic molecules,
(American Spinal Injury Association, or ASIA, Impairment Scale
potentially replace nerve cells or glial (support) cells, and/or
grade A) thoracic-level (T-3 to T-10) spinal cord injury (SCI).
even perhaps permit reconstitution of neural pathways across a
Because GRNOPC1 must be administered within seven to 14 days
neural injury,” says Keith Tansey, M.D., Ph.D., director of spinal
after the injury, people who already have a spinal cord injury will not
cord injury research at Shepherd Center and an investigator for
be eligible to participate in this trial.
the GRNOPC1 clinical trial at the hospital. “But we are in the very
Researchers are evaluating patients who meet the study’s
early days of this science and therapeutic approach, and we have
detailed eligibility criteria with a set of specially designed patient
a lot to learn. Early limited successes may occur before greater
assessment tests. Then the study’s principal investigator at each
effects are eventually realized.”
site determines which patients are eligible to enroll.
In addition to Shepherd Center, Northwestern Medicine in
The Phase I clinical trial’s primary goal is to assess the
Chicago, Ill., is also open for patient enrollment. As additional trial
safety of GRNOPC1. The secondary goal is to follow the sites come online and are ready to enroll patients, they will be listed
product’s ability to affect sensation or neuromuscular
on the Patient Information pages of Geron’s Website at
control in the trunk and lower extremities. Phase I
www.geron.com/patients/clinicaltrials/hESC.aspx and on the NIH
safety studies are not designed to provide efficacy
clinical trials registry, ClinicalTrials.gov, at
data, and patients may experience little or no benefit from
clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01217008?term=GRNOPC1&rank=1.
participation in this Phase I trial.
GRNPOC1 is composed of oligodendrocyte progenitor cells
(OPCs) derived from a human embryonic stem cell (hESC) line
registered with the National Institutes of Health and obtained from
Opposite Page, Top
to Bottom: Human
a donated in vitro fertilized blastocyst (very early stage embryo),
embryonic stem cells
which otherwise would have been destroyed.
grow in culture. David
OPCs give rise to oligodendrocytes, which make myelin, the
Apple, M.D., is the
insulation around nerve fibers that enables rapid conduction
principal investigator
of the clinical trial at
of nerve signals. These cells have demonstrated remyelinating
Shepherd. A colony of
human embyronic stem
cells (light blue) grow on
fibroblasts (dark blue).
Winter 2011 1 3
Photo by Amy Smotherman Burgess/ Knoxville News Sentinel
ReturntoWorkFeature
Remarkable Return to Work
A school principal paralyzed in a shooting undergoes rehabilitation at Shepherd
Center and returns to work less than six months after sustaining the injury.
By Bill Sanders
Principal Elisa Luna knows nothing will ever be
quite the same at Inskip Elementary School in
Knoxville, Tenn. – not for her, nor for assistant
principal Amy Brace and probably not for any of the
students who were at school on Feb. 10, 2010.
Elisa and Amy were both shot by a teacher whom
Elisa had just fired.
“He didn’t care about hurting Amy, but he wanted
me dead,” Elisa says. “When the paramedics got
there, I knew I was dying. They thought I had died,
and then when they were rushing me to the hospital,
I almost died in the ambulance.”
The shooting became national news. Soon, though,
the focus shifted to whether the popular principal
could ever return to Inskip. And people wondered
whether the students would recover emotionally.
1 4 Spinal Column
Elisa sustained a paralyzing, incomplete T-11 to
-12 spinal cord injury in the shooting. She spent
a week at the University of Tennessee Medical
Center, then two months in rehabilitation at
Shepherd Center.
Then, less than six months after the shooting,
Elisa returned to Inskip, about a month before the
2010-11 school year began.
“I had to get back in the building and see if emotionally I was OK,” she says. “I definitely was not
on my A-game, or like I used to be. I just had to see
that I could drive there and take on a few tasks. My
body and mentality were not ready yet, but getting in
the building was huge.”
Elisa’s rehabilitation at Shepherd, she says, is
largely why she has been able to return to work.
Photo by Amy Smotherman Burgess/ Knoxville News Sentinel
Opposite Page: School principal Elisa Luna of Knoxville, Tenn., returns to work less than six months after a near-fatal shooting that left
her paralyzed. Above: Elisa undergoes rehabilitation at Shepherd before returning to work.
“At Shepherd, I had so much support,” she says. “I’m so glad I
went there because of the experience level of the therapists and
doctors and the array of services they have. They are not going
to let you slip in any manner. It is a community there, and that’s
what I needed.
“I crashed a little when I left that high level of support and
care,” Elisa adds. “It was like missing a parent. They saved my
life and emotionally prepared me to come back to work and to
home. I was well prepared when I left there.”
That is music to the ears of Elisa’s treatment team members at
Shepherd. But Elisa deserves much of the credit, they say.
“From the first day we met Elisa, she was determined to go
back to work,” says Shepherd Center physical therapist Jennifer
Smith. “She wanted to do anything that would allow her to
return as soon as possible. She had a significant amount of pain
when she first came to us, but it didn’t limit her from performing the necessary activities. Not only was she determined
to do everything she could in therapy, but she also took
time during her day to talk with other patients and provided encouragement to those around her.”
The road to recovery has been challenging for Elisa. She had
complications that required surgery. And physicians were uncertain about the amount of function she would eventually recover.
“They gave me no prognosis about whether I’d walk or not,”
Elisa says. “When I left Shepherd, I still had no feeling below
my hips. It wasn’t until after I got home that I started getting
some sporadic feeling below my hips.”
Little by little, she’s physically improved. She works a full day
now from her wheelchair. The outer wounds are there for students and teachers to see. The inner wounds are something she
discusses when she thinks it will help others heal emotionally.
“I’m still not at full capacity like I used to be,” Elisa says. “I
was a perfectionist, and now my body wears out before my brain
does, but I am there everyday. I love the kids, the staff and the
parents. A lot of people questioned how I could come back to
this building. It was important to our staff and students to know
that if they are coming back, that I could come back, too.
“It’s still not normal, but we’re getting back to some sense of
normal for the kids and the staff who have gone through a lot
– particularly the kids who had this guy as a teacher,” Elisa says.
“From time to time, kids will still tell me they missed
me, or ask why did he shoot me, but mostly they just hug
me. People want to help me. Even though I’m strong, and
I’m their principal, they want to push my wheelchair and
carry things for me. They need that.”
Jill Montgomery, instructional coach at Inskip, has worked
with Elisa for eight years. What she sees now in her boss and
friend is inspiring, she says.
“I’ve seen a shift this past year in her relaxation, and her
priority list has changed,” Jill explains. “She is still focused and
effective as a leader, but she stops more often to tell me or others
how much she appreciates us. Her drive now is not only to make
sure the school and students move forward and stay at the top,
but also to make sure that she gets herself back to being the best
leader possible, both with her physical rehabilitation and in the
way she deals with people.”
Elisa says the support she received following the shooting
was nothing less than overwhelming and played an important
role in her recovery. From across Tennessee and throughout the
country, she got 60 to 70 letters and cards daily during her three
months at Shepherd Center. She still gets tremendous support
as her recovery continues, she adds.
+
Winter 2011 1 5
DVDsFeature
Beyond Trauma
The Next Steps
Shepherd Center launches comprehensive video
package to educate patients and families about
their new injury and post-trauma care.
By Sara Baxter
Images by KPKi
Having a loved one with a life-altering brain or spinal cord injury is
not only a terrifying experience, it can also be a bewildering one.
To help those closest to patients find their way forward,
Shepherd Center has developed a series of educational videos
to be distributed to trauma centers around the nation. The videos,
available on DVD and online, explain brain and spinal cord injuries,
present options for care following the trauma center, and establish
expectations for the weeks and months ahead.
The DVD package – perhaps the first of its kind – will be
distributed to trauma-care centers beginning in early 2011. It
includes printed companion guides. The videos also will be
available for viewing online.
“The videos speak directly to recently injured people and their
family members,” says Larry Bowie, Shepherd’s director of public
relations. “The goal is to answer many of the questions they
have about their injury and offer a clearer picture of what the
rehabilitation process might entail.”
The idea for the DVD package emerged from focus groups
conducted with family members and patients, who said they
wanted more information about the road ahead.
“To serve this educational need, we began looking at what
we could do to increase families’ comfort level while they are
still in the trauma center,” says Mitch Fillhaber, Shepherd’s
vice president of marketing and managed care. “We wanted to
ease their anxiety about transitioning from the trauma center to
rehabilitation. In some instances, they are coming from a life-ordeath situation in which they were living in the moment. We get
them more focused on the future.”
1 6 Spinal Column
Information on the DVDs provides a practical overview of spinal
cord injury and brain injury, as well as an explanation of the care
provided in the trauma center. Viewers may search the discs to find
sections relevant to their injury – such as a complete or incomplete
injury or a certain level of injury for spinal cord injuries, or traumatic
or non-traumatic sections for brain injuries, and so on. Basic
concepts are explained by experts from across the nation.
Judy Fortin, a former anchor and medical correspondent for CNN
and other news organizations, narrates the video presentations. Lee
Woodruff, the wife of ABC News reporter Bob Woodruff, who was
injured reporting on the war, also appears in the videos.
To reach those in need of the information, Shepherd partnered
with such organizations as the American Trauma Society, the
Brain Injury Association of America, the National Spinal Cord
Injury Association, and the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation.
“We’re hoping that when people call these organizations
for more information, the organizations will be proud to
distribute the DVDs as means of educating newly injured
people,” Fillhaber says.
In fact, Shepherd plans to customize the DVD package for
trauma care centers based on feedback from neurosurgeons
and trauma care directors who believe it can assist their patients,
Bowie says.
The DVD series, which was created by KPKinteractive, an Atlantabased communications firm, is part of an overall educational
initiative Shepherd has developed for trauma centers. Shepherd
staff members already conduct hands-on clinical demonstrations
in the trauma centers on subjects such as prevention of
complications in spinal cord and brain injury patients. This past
fall, the Center launched The Apex of Trauma Care, a magazine
for trauma center professionals. It provides practical clinical
information and research updates. The next step in the initiative
was to reach out to patients through the educational DVDs.
“We see the DVDs as a means to augment the information
these centers are already providing,” Bowie says. “We want to be
the best partner we can with the trauma centers to ultimately help
patients and their families.”
To view the videos online, visit spinalinjury101.org or
braininjury101.org.
Above: Among those appearing in a new educational DVD series
are, Adam Seidner of Travelers Insurance, brain injury advocate
Lee Woodruff and Rony Najjar, M.D., of Huntsville Hospital.
NewEquipmentFeature
Below, Left to Right: Among the new pieces of therapeutic
equipment Shepherd Center hopes to purchase with donor
funds are Hocoma’s Armeo®Spring, Bioness’ Zero G™ and
Hocoma’s Erigo®.
Initiative to Support New Technology
Shepherd Center seeks to add new therapeutic equipment to advance patient care. | By Sara Baxter
A hallmark of Shepherd Center’s rehabilitation care has been staying abreast of
advances in therapeutic equipment.
But it’s not enough to keep up with
what’s current – Shepherd also makes
every effort to provide patients with new
technologies that support their goals for
recovery and independence.
Three such innovative technologies are
the centerpiece of a $400,000 fundraising initiative that started this past fall.
When complete, the campaign will fund
the purchase of new equipment that has
been tested and evaluated by patients
and staff. It will enable Shepherd patients to:
• use a non-robotic device to participate in upper-limb therapy while
interacting with real-life activities on
a computer;
• strengthen gait, balance and endurance by walking overground along
a defined path while supported by a
harness attached to an overhead rail
system; and
• improve cardiovascular health and
lower-limb muscle strength and
activity while fully supported in
more upright positions earlier in the
recovery process.
Here’s more on each of the three technologies Shepherd hopes to implement.
Photo Courtesy of Hocoma
Therapy meets the computer age.
Hocoma’s Armeo®Spring is an arm exoskeleton that marries a therapy device
to a computer-simulated, virtual reality
environment. After placing an arm in a
support system with a handgrip, the user
ventures beyond repetitive back-andforth motions to practice everyday tasks,
such as putting fruit into a basket or
eggs into a frying pan. The machine also
offers motion-sensor video games, making therapy potentially more engaging to
people of all ages.
“The patient has to generate the
movement, and the arm is controlling
what is going on in the computer,” explains Kathy Farris, therapy manager for
Shepherd’s Acquired Brain Injury Unit.
“It simulates real-life activities and gives
the patient visual feedback and immediate task satisfaction.”
This machine is good for all levels of
function, though patients must have at
least some motor strength.
Exploring Shepherd, literally.
Patients who practice walking at
Shepherd do so inside a single, defined
space – and with the aid of several
therapists or a robotic gait trainer. But
ZeroG™, a new piece of equipment
from Bioness, would allow patients
to navigate a defined path through a
Shepherd therapy gym while supported
by a harness connected to a ceilingmounted trolley system. The system
would provide intensive gait training
and practice using everyday skills associated with walking.
“This device gives therapists a better
look at the patient’s quality of movement and provides practice walking
overground naturally,” Farris says. “With
the systems we have in place now, many
therapists are needed to support the
patient, and they cannot move as freely
to challenge things such as balance or to
react to obstacles in our path.”
An earlier start, a steadier pace.
Hocoma’s Erigo® is an automated,
adjustable “tilt table” that provides a
head start for non-ambulatory patients
who aren’t ready to fully participate in
rehabilitation therapy. These patients,
who may be in lower-level states of
consciousness or face long-term immobilization, would use Erigo® to build
strength and stamina slowly.
The concept is simple: Patients are
strapped to the table and move pedals that simulate stepping, even though
they’re not yet fully upright. Over time,
therapists adjust the tilt of the table to a
level that is safe, but challenges patient
progress.
All three technologies would enable
Shepherd to increase the intensity of its
patient care.
Moreover, the equipment purchase
has been thoroughly researched, explains
Bonnie Hardage, major gifts director
in the Shepherd Center Foundation.
“We’re putting a lot of thought into
this,” she says. “We’ve researched all of
the technology, involved clinicians and
patients, and evaluated potential benefits
from start to finish. All we need is for
the community to respond.”
To make a donation to this initiative,
call 404-367-1238 or visit
shepherd.org/charitable-giving.
Winter 2011 1 7
MSRideFeature
Bike
MS
Team Shepherd helps Cox Atlanta bike
ride raise $1 million for MS.
By Sara Baxter
1 8 Spinal Column
Photo by DaveM Photography
Photo by Sherri Perkerson
Photo by DaveM Photography
On a warm weekend this past
X-ray image that transformed
September, 117 Shepherd
into a cycling kit and were the
Center employees and supporttalk of the ride,” McCrory says.
ers were among 1,300 cyclists
Co-captain Angela Black
who took to the streets in a
helped with group training rides
two-day,150-mile bike ride to
and getting “newbies” comfortraise money and awareness for
able on their bikes. Peachtree
multiple sclerosis (MS).
Bikes, Team Shepherd’s sponsor
This is the largest team
shop, was instrumental in faShepherd has had in the annual
cilitating new riders, providing
event, which helps fund proa meeting place and offering
grams, services and research for
discounts to team members.
the National Multiple Sclerosis
Besides the jerseys, the talk
Society. Shepherd’s team was
of the ride might also have been
the second biggest team in
the second rest stop on day
the ride behind ride sponsor
one of the ride. MS Institute
Cox Communications and
clinical staff members Melinda
among other corporate teams
Hodgson and Tawana Mitchell
from Coca Cola, KPMG/
coordinated the pirate-themed
Home Depot, UPS, Georgia
rest stop complete with a pirate
Power, Turner Broadcasting
ship, music and pirates – inand Lockheed Martin. Team
cluding physicians Ben Thrower,
Shepherd more than $53,000.
M.D., and Sherrill Loring,
Above: More than 1,300 cyclists, including 117 from
“While the current economic
M.D. “Jack Sparrow, wenches
Shepherd Center, participated in Bike MS to help raise
money for programs, research and services provided by
climate continues to threaten
and other pirates were everythe National Multiple Sclerosis Society.
charities like ours, I never cease
where,” McCrory says.
to be amazed at the generosity
Peachtree Tri Club founder
of individuals and organizaMari Fridenmaker and Safe
tions like Shepherd Center that make a difference in the lives
Haven for Pets founder Lucinda Shore recruited several cyclists
of people living with MS,” says Roy Rangel, president of the
to the expanding Shepherd team, helping Shepherd reach its
Georgia chapter. With Shepherd’s support, Bike MS raised $1
goal of more than 100 cyclists.
million.
The team has become famous. McCrory reports
“Team Shepherd has spirit and represents a promise
that many organizations have called Shepherd Center
“Team
of hope for people with MS,” Rangel says. “We are
about having the hospital’s team participate in their
Shepherd
proud to have such a great and inspirational team at
charity rides. “However, the team’s main cycling
has spirit and
our event.”
goal is to support the National MS Society, Georgia
represents
a promise
Led by team captains Colleen McCrory, former
Chapter by raising money and awareness for MS,”
of hope for
director of marketing and managed care, and Angela
McCrory notes.
people
Black, rehabilitation equipment specialist, the team
Team Shepherd will have an opportunity to ride
with MS.”
included Shepherd employees, Shepherd Center
again in March 2011. This time, the ride will help
— roy Rangel
Society members, MS community physicians and MS
Shepherd Center directly. The Dublin, Ga., Rotary
patients, as well as external cycling groups.
Club has made Shepherd Center the charitable ben“We had so much support from both our employees and the
eficiary of its annual Rotary Club Century ride. “It looks like the
community,” McCrory says.
team will suit up again in their ethereal X-ray-inspired kits to
Michael Dresdner, owner of HDS Vans, once again provided
ride again for another great cause,” McCrory says.
the team with cycling jerseys. “This year’s jerseys featured an
Research
ACTION Clinical Trial
Shepherd Center researchers study effects of intensive
exercise on neurological recovery.
By Bill Sanders
The clinical trial stems from research showing that highintensity exercise can provide tremendous benefits for people
with incomplete spinal cord injuries (SCI). Now, Shepherd
researchers want to know whether intensive exercise
promotes neurological recovery.
Shepherd researchers are more than halfway through the
trial, which will enroll 50 people with incomplete SCI classified
by the American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) as a C
or D injury. Sixteen patients have either completed or are
undergoing the 24-week program. Nine are in a control group,
meaning they are being monitored, but are waiting 24 weeks
before they begin. Researchers continue to enroll healthy
adults, ages 18 to 60, who meet the study criteria.
The ACTION Trial is very demanding on patients, says
research co-investigator Candy Tefertiller, DPT, ATP, NCS.
“The dosage and intensity is incredible,” she explains. “It’s an
exhausting combination of locomotor training, developmental
sequencing, and strengthening and resistance training.”
Research has shown recovery in people with incomplete
SCI appears to be directly proportional to the exercise dosage
– maybe even more so than the type of exercise.
“The research suggests that immobility does not lead
to recovery, but that high-dosage intense activity might
facilitate some recovery of function even in chronic
neurological injuries,” Tefertiller says. “Sometimes, the
success has not been specific to the treatment intervention,
but to the amount. Plus, this kind of exercise addresses the
body as a whole. We’re doing core strengthening and building
stable foundations, as well as facilitating an appropriate
walking pattern. This allows restoration of some capabilities
and can give some patients the ability to walk faster.”
ACTION Trial participant Tonya Sheriff, 35, of Eastanollee,
Ga., who sustained a C-3 to -5 incomplete SCI in a 1991
car accident, says the study’s exercise regimen was indeed
difficult, but worthwhile.
“I gave it every effort I had,” Tonya says. “I didn’t realize
I could push my body as far as I did. However, I give credit
to the research team for that because they pushed and
encouraged me the whole way.
“When I first began the ACTION Trial, I couldn’t walk and
control a walker with wheels on my own or stand up on my
own,” Tonya explains. “When I finished, I could stand from
certain heights with assistance. Also, I started the program
on the Lokomat (robotic locomotor training device) and was
able to switch to a manual treadmill. Now that I am home, I
To those who have undergone rehabilitation at Shepherd Center, intensive exercise is an activity they know well. But for
participants in Shepherd Center’s Crawford Research Institute ACTION Clinical Trial, intensive exercise has been ratcheted up to a
new level. For 24 consecutive weeks, participants in this trial are undergoing a rigorous exercise regimen nine hours a week.
Above: ACTION Clinical Trial participant Dave Jones works
out under the guidance of Shepherd Center exercise
specialist Nick Evans.
am continuing to follow the exercise program I was given. It is
a challenge to get in nine hours a week and work and plan a
wedding. But I carve out time out to exercise.”
The kind of exercise regimen under study in the ACTION
Trial differs from Shepherd’s other rehabilitation efforts, notes
Mike Jones, Ph.D., vice president of research and technology.
“While therapeutic activity is a mainstay of rehabilitation,
traditional therapy approaches are directed at compensation
for – rather than restoration of – neurological function,” Jones
says. “Rehabilitation after SCI has traditionally emphasized
the use of the preserved and strongest muscles to achieve
compensatory functioning.
“Time and energy are usually not devoted to facilitating
weaker muscles and promoting neural recovery,” he explains.
“In contrast to conventional physical rehabilitation, activitybased therapies, such as the ones being studied in the
ACTION Trial, are interventions that provide activation of the
neuromuscular system below the level of the lesion with the
goal of retraining the nervous system to recover specific
motor tasks.”
When the ACTION Trial is completed, researchers
hope to know how to better treat patients who might
benefit from such activity-based regimens.
For more information on participating in Shepherd research,
see www.shepherd.org/research and complete the intake form.
+
Winter 2011 1 9
Photo by Jeff Hunt
PatientProfile
Drawn to the
Wilderness
Former brain injury patient credits both Shepherd Center
and a nature preserve for his recovery.
By Bill Sanders
There’s no place Charlie Sweat would rather be than the very
Charlie has spent much of his time – before, during and after
place where he almost lost his life.
his terms as mayor and city council member – advocating for
For Charlie, the former mayor of Walterboro, S.C., a nearthe 842-acre Great Swamp Sanctuary, which is located within the
fatal accident at the Great Swamp Sanctuary in Walterboro,
Ashepoo, Combahee and South Edisto (ACE) Basin, the East
has done nothing to lessen the park’s draw on
Coast’s largest estuarine preserve. The Sanctuary is
Charlie is like a
him. In fact, there’s no place Charlie is more
perhaps the only “braided creek” swamp accessible
preacher
when
in his element than there, where birds chirp,
to the public.
he steps on
deer wander through a thick forest and a
Charlie has spearheaded efforts to raise
the Sanctuary
gentle breeze offers respite from the heat of a
awareness
of the Sanctuary and its beauty. He has
grounds. His arms
Lowcountry day.
also helped raise funds for the preserve, including
start waving, his
voice crescendos money to build a network of boardwalks, hiking,
“This place is very special to me, a place I
and he starts
couldn’t wait to get back to after the accident,”
biking and canoe trails that run through it. Now, he is
talking from the
Charlie says. “It was instrumental in my
working to raise funds to build an interpretive center
heart.
recovery, especially emotionally. Just listen to
at the Sanctuary.
the birds and the sounds. Even if I’m out here doing a tour, I’ll
Charlie is like a preacher when he steps on the Sanctuary
shut up and let the birds and animals take over if they are doing
grounds. His arms start waving, his voice crescendos and he
their thing.”
starts talking from the heart.
2 0 Spinal Column
Photo by Jeff Hunt
“Just look at these trails and bridges
going through this beautiful natural area,”
he says. “It is so restful and peaceful that
we just have to show people what we have
here, that we are the green part of this
community. People need to know about
what we have here. We don’t have industry
here; it has left the area. But we have this,
and it’s great.”
In 2007, Charlie was leading a tour of
the park and had gotten off a golf cart to
remove metal poles that protect a paved
path from car traffic. When he did, the cart
rolled backward. A passenger in the cart
then tried to hit the brake, but instead hit
the accelerator. The cart – with its three
Photo by Jeff Hunt
Left, Below and Right: Former
Shepherd Center brain
injury patient Charlie Sweat
of Walterboro, S.C., credits
Shepherd and the Great Swamp
Sanctuary in Walterboro with
his recovery from an injury he
sustained while providing a tour
of the nature preserve.
passengers still seated – knocked
Charlie to the ground and rolled on top
of him. He sustained a traumatic brain
injury and a broken ankle in the freakish
accident.
“The last thing I remember from that
day, it was 9 a.m. and I was saying hello
to my secretary and was getting ready
to explain to some people the benefits
of the park, the environmental aspects
of it,” Charlie says. “The next thing I
remember, I’m talking to my doctor and
sister at Shepherd Center.”
That was some six weeks after the
accident. Charlie had been transferred
to Shepherd for rehabilitation after
receiving acute care at MUSC Medical
Center and also Kindred Hospital in
Charleston, S.C.
“At Kindred, they had done ankle
surgery on me and had drilled a hole in my
head to relieve some of the swelling of my
brain,” Charlie says.
Charlie’s brain injury was significant,
but then so was his recovery, says
Gerald Bilsky, M.D., Charlie’s physician at
Shepherd Center.
“When he got to us, he was
unresponsive, and it wasn’t clear what all
had happened,” Dr. Bilsky recalls. “We
had to take care of some acute things
right away. But he turned around quickly,
responded to therapy and medications,
and in a lot of ways, exceeded what might
have been expected.”
Charlie’s sister, Betty Prather of
Augusta, Ga., spent a lot of time with him
at Shepherd and then had him move in
with her for a while. Betty says the time
with Charlie at her home was precious
and is missed. The time at Shepherd, she
says, was life-saving.
“Everyone who works there has to be
special,” she says, “because everyone
has such a wonderful attitude. In time,
Charlie began to really like it there and
started trying to counsel others, giving
hope as an elderly statesman there. I knew
how wonderful it was from the beginning,
but with a brain injury, it takes a while to
warm up to new surroundings.”
After living with his sister for a while
and continuing therapy in Augusta, it
was time for Charlie to return to his home
in Walterboro. “It was hard when he left
To support preservation and
educational efforts for the
Great Swamp Sanctuary, send
donations to:
Friends of the Great Swamp
{a 501(c)(3) organization}
P. O. Box 709
Walterboro, SC 29488
because I had really gotten used to having
him around and spending time with him,”
Betty says. She notices subtle differences
in her brother’s personality since the injury,
and doctors told them both that he’d never
be 100 percent back to the old Charlie.
Dr. Bilsky says Charlie made peace with
his new reality fairly early in his recovery.
“He’s not the politically savvy, patient,
small-town mayor that he was before,” Dr.
Bilsky says. “His ability to process a lot
at once and deal with high-level complex
matters is somewhat impaired, which
would have proven to be a bit of an issue
in returning to the work of running a city.
“I think he was initially surprised when
he didn’t function the same in those
settings like he thought he would, but I
think he’s OK with that now,” Dr. Bilsky
adds. “He’s relatively independent and
is a very engaging, likeable guy. I enjoy
talking to him.”
Upon returning home six months after
the injury, one of the first things Charlie did
was return to the Great Swamp Sanctuary.
“I couldn’t drive yet, but I so much
wanted to come back out here,” Charlie
says. “I walked through town, talking to
each merchant on my way to thank them
for their support, and eventually I got
here,” Charlie says. “I was sitting on the
bridge thinking, ‘No one can understand
the peace and tranquility of this place
without being here.’”
+
To read this story and view
more photographs online, visit
www.spinalcolumn.org
Winter 2011 2 1
Q+A
ask the Doc
Shepherd Center physicians answer medical questions from patients and family members.
Q:Are there any supplements that I should take if I have
neuropathic pain?
A: Yes. Neuropathic, or nerve, pain is characterized by painful
burning, tingling or electric shooting sensations, usually with
an increased sensitivity to normal touch. It can arise from
numerous problems, including injury (e.g., spinal cord injury
and multiple sclerosis), malfunction of nerves associated with
illness (e.g., diabetes, low thyroid), infections (e.g., shingles),
pinched nerves and nutritional deficiencies.
seek. To lose weight and keep it off, you need a simple knowledge of
why you eat, what to eat and when to eat. I recommend a practical eating plan (PEP), which includes three
nutritional meals and two snacks. The PEP is low in fat and high
in dietary fiber that limits fatty foods and carbohydrates. Although
predominately based on grains, fruits and vegetables, the diet also
encourages the consumption of healthy fats and lean protein.
Here’s the plan:
➊ lean protein — 25%
• Four to six servings (2-3 ounces per serving) of lean turkey or
ham, fish, poultry and red meat (sparingly)
➋ healthy fat — 25%
• Low in saturated and trans fats and cholesterol
• Two or three servings of nuts and/or seeds, totaling one
ounce daily
• Good oils (olive oil, canola oil, flax oil), 1-3 tablespoons daily All the B vitamins play crucial roles in promoting nerve health. ➌ complex carbohydrates — 50%
Thiamine (B-1) and biotin (B-7) promote healthy nerves.
• Six to eight servings of fruit, vegetables, legumes
Riboflavin (B-2) aids in nerve insulation. Niacin (B-3) assists
• Two or three servings of whole grains (1/2 cup = one serving)
nervous system function, while pyridoxine (B-6) helps the body »B
rown rice, kasha, wild rice, bulgur, couscous, oatmeal,
use and absorb niacin and B-12. A lack of B-6 may cause
whole-grain pasta, whole-grain bread
or worsen nerve pain, but excessive use of B-6 can cause
➍ dietary fiber
neuropathy. Cyanocobalamin (B-12) helps prevent nerve
• 25-35 grams per day
damage and promotes healthy nerve function. Low levels of
• Fruits, vegetables and grains are packed with nutrients, have
both B-12 and folic acid (B-9) can lead to neuropathic pain.
few calories and are an excellent source of fiber.
Other nutrients also keep nerves healthy and lessen nerve
➎ promotes exercise
pain. They include inositol, lipoic acid and omega-3 fatty acid,
• Balances calorie intake with calorie output
which are crucial in repairing and making nerve cells in the
spinal cord, brain and peripheral nerves. Magnesium can help Learning new eating habits, and avoiding old eating pitfalls, takes
daily vigilance – mindful attention that you give to yourself and your
alleviate nerve pain. Jamaica dogwood is a supplement that
activities. Vigilance will come to be a source of pleasure and power
is most beneficial in relieving severe, stabbing nerve pain.
for you.
But it can be toxic when consumed in excessive amounts, so
patients should use it under a doctor’s supervision.
— Arthur Simon, M.D
There are many prescription medications for neuropathic pain,
but these can also cause side effects such as sedation. Opiate
pain medications (e.g., oxycodone/hydrocodone) are typically
not the most appropriate choice for neuropathic pain and may
actually increase nerve pain. Nutritional supplements for nerve
pain can be an effective adjunct or alternative to medications.
Relief from natural therapies can take one to 12 months. It
is reasonable to begin medications, along with nutritional
support, to achieve pain relief as quickly as possible.
Submit your questions for “Ask the Doc”
to [email protected].
— J. Tobias Musser, M.D
Q:What kind of dieting should I do to lose weight so I will
be healthy post-injury?
A:
“Diet” is a good word; it is the verb “dieting” that’s bad. Diet is
the food we eat. Dieting implies negativity, failure and loss of
self-worth. Instead, you need to concentrate on your diet.
Consuming the proper foods in smaller portions with higher
frequencies throughout the day will provide the benefits you
2 2 Spinal Column
J. Tobias Musser, M.D.,
Physiatrist, Shepherd
Pain Institute
Arthur Simon, M.D., Medical Director,
Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery,
Shepherd Center
Q&A
Q+A
with Payal Fadia, M.D., Physiatrist, Shepherd
Center Acquired Brain Injury Program
Interviewed by JANE SANDERS
A: I always wanted to be a doctor. I loved my pediatrician, and he
was my first inspiration. Watching him and other doctors help
people made medicine a more appealing career choice to
me than anything else I could have done with my life.
Q:What drew you to the specialty of physical medicine
and rehabilitation?
A: I developed an interest in neurology initially. Then, during my
residency, I did an elective rotation in physical medicine and
rehabilitation (PM & R) and recognized the ability of PM &
R physicians to take patients with neurological impairments
to the next level of improvement in their recovery in a
rehabilitation setting. Neurologists do wonderful things in
diagnosing and treating conditions, but I like helping patients
improve their quality of life through rehabilitation. PM & R
physicians translate diagnostic information into functional
outcomes to benefit the patient.
Q:What is distinctive about Shepherd Center’s approach
that helps people successfully rehabilitate from brain
and/or spinal cord injuries?
A: S
hepherd Center is the third place in which I’ve practiced
medicine since completing my training. What’s distinctive
about Shepherd is the staff’s universal compassion and
caring for the patient and family. We all have the same goal:
We want what’s best for the patient, and Shepherd Center
staff members have such a high degree of commitment
to this goal. Everybody at Shepherd likes what they do.
They’re happy in their jobs, and thus, they do them well. It’s a
wonderful place to be.
injury. There is also research studying the potential benefits of
medications to assist with arousal, attention and improved cognition
for people with brain injuries. In addition, advances are being made
in robotics and neuromodulation therapies that hold promise.
Shepherd is a great combination of research and clinical practice.
Though it may be years before some research yields results, it does
hold great promise.
Q:What have you learned about yourself and others in the
process of treating people with brain and/or spinal cord
injuries?
A:I’ve learned that the human spirit is resilient. We see people at the
lowest point after their injury and watch them rise to the challenges
and overcome great obstacles. It makes you believe in miracles.
You see an inspiring strength of character in these patients. And
you don’t take anything for granted. You appreciate life.
Particularly in my adolescent patients, I’ve seen some with
devastating injuries, and they are so resilient. You see their inner
strength and determination combine with the healing of their brains
and the benefits of rehabilitation. It is especially rewarding when
we sometimes see our PREP (Pre-Rehabilitation and Education
Program) patients emerge from a Rancho 2 (minimally conscious
state) to a Rancho 5 or 6 at discharge and then continue to
improve in our post-acute Shepherd Pathways program. To watch
these patients begin to communicate and recover is amazing.
INTERESTING FACTs:
Payal Fadia, M.D.
Q:Why did you become a doctor?
Also, there’s such an integrated team approach to treatment
here. We treat not only the patient, but also the family. The
family is drawn into the patient’s goals. The therapists,
along with the nurses, case managers, neuropsychologists
all bring to the treatment team a level of concern and
compassion that ultimately helps patients and families reach
their goals.
Q:What promise does the future hold for improved
treatments for people with brain and/or spinal cord
injuries?
A: T
his is an exciting time to be in a place where clinical trials
are under way that may have significant implications for
improved treatments in the future. Shepherd Center is
involved in clinical trials using stem cells to treat spinal cord
Fellowship: University of
Texas-Houston
Residency: Baylor College of
Medicine, Houston, Texas
Medical School: St. Georges
University School of Medicine,
Grenada, West Indies
Board Certification: Physical
Medicine and Rehabilitation
Experience: 8 years
Random Facts:
• Dr. Fadia and her husband have
a 3-year-old daughter who Dr.
Fadia describes as “amazing.”
• She is an avid Florida Gators
football fan, having earned her
undergraduate degree at the
University of Florida.
• Dr. Fadia is an avid reader and
especially enjoys the “Twilight”
series of books.
Winter 2011 2 3
ShepherdAlums
By Kayla Eubanks
Dan Savage of
Cambridge, Mass.
Jaya Franklin of
Fairburn, Ga.
Heidi Stuart of
Wake Forest, N.C.
Mitchell Cox of
Tupelo, Miss.
Mitchell Cox, CPA, has a smartsounding ring to it. A tax associate in
one of the big-four accounting firms,
Mitchell says he experiences only
minor effects from the traumatic brain
injury he sustained in July 2006. He
has some minor nerve damage in his
right hand, and he says he puts more
thought into some cognitive tasks that
used to come more easily to him.
Mitchell, 24, of Tupelo, Miss.,
finished his degree and became a certified public accountant after recovering from the brain injury and a C-3
vertebrae fracture he sustained when
his SUV tumbled multiple times. He’s
come a long way in the four years
since the accident.
“I lost a lot of muscle weight that
took time to put on,” Mitchell says.
2 4 Spinal Column
FROM NEAR
AND FAR
Former Shepherd Center patients
from across the nation report on their
productive lives post-injury.
“And it was tough getting the brain back
into the habit of being that active. So it
was a tough transition for a year and a
half or so, and I’m not sure I’m totally
back to that point now. I do have to work
harder to get things than I used to. It had
come naturally. But it’s mostly back.”
Mitchell says his rehabilitation at
Shepherd Center was an amazing experience. “Doctors didn’t sugarcoat things,” he
says. “They told me it’d be a tough road,
but that they’d be there for me and with
me, and that I could get through it. It was
a very encouraging atmosphere, and that
was one of the biggest things for me.”
Mitchell now lives and works in
Memphis, Tenn.
“I have family just an hour and half away
and am living with some fraternity brothers
from college,” he says. “I’m in a good place.”
It took a while for doctors to diagnose
Jaya Franklin, 26, of Fairburn, Ga.,
with acute disseminated encephalomyelitis
(ADE) in March 2010. Once they did,
though, Jaya was on her way to recovery.
Jaya experienced a T-4 to -5 paralysis
stemming from the condition that causes
brain and spinal cord inflammation. She
spent three months in rehabilitation at
Shepherd Center and is now almost 80
percent back to where she wants to be.
She’ll be at 100 percent when she finds
the right job and living arrangements,
she says.
“I’ve made it this far because of God,
my immediate family and my motivation
to be back with my son,” Jaya adds.
She was “living a normal life” when she
awoke one day feeling a little bit off. Her
condition deteriorated within several days.
“By the time I checked into Emory
Eastside Medical Center, I couldn’t
walk,” she recalls. “No one knew
what was wrong with me. Finally, an
MRI found fluid and lesions on my
brain and spinal cord. No one knows
why I got it.”
But once ADE was diagnosed,
treatment and rehabilitation got
under way. Jaya was motivated at
Shepherd, both as an inpatient and
in the day program, to walk again
– unassisted.
The Indianapolis native came home
with a walker and soon put it away.
“I would chase my son around and
play with him,” she says. “I put the
walker away because my balance was
good enough to hold on to things,
and I could move around by myself.
I forced myself to learn to balance.
Now, I’m driving and picking him up
from school. I’m so thankful.”
Jaya loves to write, a pastime that
helped her deal with her condition.
She is production director/editor of
Visionary Artistry (www.visionaryartistrymag.com), an online
magazine founded by her brother,
J.Q. Franklin.
Dan Savage, 27, lived right across
from Shepherd Center and yet was
driving two hours to Fort Gordon,
in Augusta, Ga., to get treatment
that wasn’t working for him, he says.
Dan served in the U.S. Army and
was deployed in Iraq from August
2007 to October 2008. While there,
he was close to several explosions
and came home with headaches,
trouble sleeping, sensitivity to light
and difficulty concentrating.
“From the time I got back
from Iraq until I finally got to
Shepherd Center, I went through
the military system trying to get
the right care,” Dan explains.
“Then I started getting therapy at
Shepherd in April 2010 through
the SHARE Initiative (for military
personnel). I had a lot of dizziness
and headaches and neck pain, and
Dr. (Darryl) Kaelin and the physical
and vestibular therapy really helped
with that.”
Dan recalls his frustrations before
coming to Shepherd. “Sometimes I
could barely do my job because my
headaches and dizziness were so bad,”
he says. “I’d come home from work
and just lie on the couch. A lot of
us out there are affected, and in the
military system, there are not enough
services to help us all effectively. Until
I came to Shepherd Center, I never
had a doctor who looked at all the
symptoms as one problem and went
to work figuring out how to deal with
them all.”
Now, Dan has separated from
the Army and is pursuing a public
policy degree at Harvard University’s
Kennedy School of Government in
Cambridge, Mass. The theme for
his studies is built around John F.
Kennedy’s famous quote: “Ask not
what your country can do for you, but
what you can do for your country.”
Dan explains: “There are so many
issues that need our efforts right
now that I haven’t yet chosen a focus.
Whether it’s professionally or just
as a volunteer, I definitely plan to do
work with other veterans, though,
because there are a lot of guys out
there suffering even worse symptoms
than me. When the country asked
for volunteers, they stood up and
said ‘send me,’ so we owe them much
more attention than what they’re currently getting.”
When Heidi Stuart, 33, of Wake
Forest, N.C., was diagnosed three
years ago with a softball-size cancerous tumor – one that had eaten away
at her spine and had attached to several organs – everyone’s first concern
was for her life.
When the tumor was removed, she began a second fight. Heidi was paralyzed
below the T-7 level on her spinal cord.
Today, Heidi is cancer free. And
that’s not all.
“I’ve been doing physical therapy for
a long time now, and I’ve gotten to
the place where I’m now walking with
a cane in public and with nothing at
home,” she says. “We keep hoping to get
a little more improvement, so we keep
pushing. Physical therapy is a daily commitment and probably will be for the
rest of my life, but it’s been worth it.”
Heidi spent two months at Shepherd
Center in 2007 undergoing rehabilitation. She credits Shepherd with helping
give her the life she has now.
“I was so pleased with the place
and experience and was blessed to
be there,” Heidi says. “If not for the
people and the help from Shepherd, I
might not be where I am now.”
Heidi, who spends most of her free
time with her husband and 4-yearold daughter, has a scan every year to
search for any signs that the cancer has
returned. Since the surgery, all scans
have been clear.
“I have no cancer and no limitations,”
Heidi says. “I can do whatever I want,
and I do it with faith, hard work and a
positive attitude.”
Heidi is looking for ways to help
others with spinal cord injuries (SCI). “I
think sharing my experiences, resources,
medical suppliers, doctors, etc. is a great
first step,” she says. “If anyone can be
helped by what I have learned, then I
will be happy.”
What’s New?
We want to stay current on any personal or
professional news in your life. Send us an
update and a photo (we’ll return it to you):
Jane Sanders, Spinal Column Magazine, 2020
Peachtree Rd., N.W., Atlanta, GA, 30309. You can
also e-mail us at [email protected].
Winter 2011 2 5
FoundationFeatures
Photo by Gary Meek
Winter 2011
my schedule. Also, the members I met at the fall coffee function
were so welcoming. I was hooked!”
Marla began volunteering for the Auxiliary in 2006
and became president in 2009. In her role as president,
Marla brainstorms fundraising ideas, selects individuals to
head committees, leads her fellow Auxiliary members in
implementing fundraisers and ensures that the group meets its
fundraising goals.
“Volunteering at Shepherd has not
only made me more aware of the
issues people with spinal cord or
brain injuries face, but has also
enhanced my life tremendously.”
— Marla Bennett
Volunteer Profile
Marla Bennett
Atlanta native discovers her (volunteer)
purpose right in her backyard.
By Rachel Franco
Sometimes the answer to our prayers is right in front of us
without our even knowing it. At least this was the case for Marla
Bennett, president of the Shepherd Center Auxiliary, a volunteer
group whose primary mission is fundraising for the hospital.
After staying home for many years to raise her two children
and to take care of aging parents, Marla, an Atlanta native, found
herself at a crossroads and was praying about what to do in the
next stage of her life, she recalls.
The answer turned out to be right in Marla’s backyard – in
Atlanta – and came to her by way of her daughter, Elizabeth,
who, as a 2006 Phoenix Society of Atlanta debutante, volunteered
at Shepherd.
It was during a tour of the hospital for the debutantes
and their parents that Marla discovered Shepherd and was
tremendously impressed by it. Both the tour and an introduction
letter from the president of the Auxiliary at that time prompted
Marla to volunteer.
“I chose the Auxiliary because of its flexibility,” she says. “I
could work a shift here and there, according to what worked with
2 6 Spinal Column
Pecans on Peachtree® is the Auxiliary’s primary fundraiser.
From November through Christmas Eve each year, the
Auxiliary sells numerous varieties of pecans. This year, Pecans
on Peachtree is expected to raise $60,000 to $70,000, adding to
the $4,521,675 the Auxiliary has raised for the hospital since
1983. The group brings in additional funds through smaller
fundraisers such as sales of baked goods, jewelry, purses and
other items. All funds raised support initiatives that enhance
care for patients and their families. Without the Auxiliary’s
support, many of these initiatives might not be funded.
Volunteering at Shepherd is incredibly fulfilling for Marla.
“In addition to seeing the difference that the hospital makes
in the lives of its patients, I’ve met a lot of great people at
Shepherd,” Marla says. “Volunteering at Shepherd has not only
made me more aware of the issues people with spinal cord or
brain injuries face, but has also enhanced my life tremendously.”
Midge Tracy, director of Volunteer Services at Shepherd, says
Marla has equally enhanced the lives of people at the hospital.
“Marla’s compassion, absolute dedication to the hospital and
her presence – she’s always smiling – make her an invaluable
asset to Shepherd,” Midge says. “Marla loves what she does, and
it shows.”
Marla hopes to encourage others to get involved with the
Auxiliary, which she describes as a great group of people
wanting to make a difference and having fun while doing so.
For information about the Shepherd Center Auxiliary, call
404-350-7315 or visit shepherd.org/volunteer.
Above: Marla Bennett, right, who has volunteered for the Shepherd
Center Auxiliary since 2006, discusses plans with Volunteer
Services director Midge Tracy.
Photos by Donn Jones
Expanded Reach
of Shepherd Center’s Helping Spirit
Shepherd Center’s Beyond Therapy® opens in Tennessee | By Bonnie Hardage
The remarkable Shepherd Center spirit
of helping others – which encompasses
patients helping patients, families helping
families, and staff members and volunteers
going beyond the call of duty – reached
beyond the hospital’s campus recently
with the opening of Beyond Therapy® in
Franklin, Tenn., just south of Nashville.
The facility opened in September 2010
and welcomed community members and
donors in an open house event on Oct. 28.
More than 150 people attended.
Making the facility possible was Scot
Ware, who was a brain injury patient at
Shepherd Center in 2005. He and his wife
Sharon donated the 10,000-square-foot
WareCentre™ to Shepherd in 2010. The
facility includes an outpatient therapy
gym and high-tech therapeutic equipment
worth nearly $1 million.
As a result of this donation, Shepherd
Center opened the first Beyond Therapy®
rehabilitation program outside of Georgia.
Beyond Therapy® is an intense, activitybased Shepherd program that promotes
improved health and wellness, as well as
neurological recovery. It helps people with
spinal cord injury, brain injury, stroke,
cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis and other
neuromuscular disorders.
At the open house, Mayor John Schroer
of Franklin joined Scot and Sharon Ware
and James Shepherd, hospital co-founder
and chairman of the Board of Directors, in
an official ribbon-cutting ceremony.
“Shepherd Center was my family’s only
beacon in a time of limited possibilities
for me,” Scot says. “Without their therapy
and personal care, I doubt that I would be
standing here talking with you today.”
After his discharge from Shepherd
Center, Scot and his family decided to take
what they learned at Shepherd and make
it available to middle Tennessee, imitating
the culture they observed at Shepherd.
“Donating the WareCentre™ to
Shepherd was an easy decision,” Scot says.
“We are so pleased and honored to have
our mission become part of a wonderful,
forward-moving organization.”
Shepherd Center CEO Gary Ulicny,
Ph.D., is grateful for the opportunity, as
well. “Because of Scot’s donation, this
is a natural progression for the Beyond
Therapy® program,” he says. “The program
has a two-year waiting list, and we can
now offer another access point for patients
to consider.”
At the open house event, the Shepherd
Center Foundation announced a $400,000
fundraising campaign to support local
scholarships and equipment needed to
enhance the program.
“we can now offer another
access point for patients to
consider.” — gary ulicny, ph.d.
“We have been blessed with a generous lead gift of $100,000 from Moll and
Charles Anderson,” James Shepherd
says. “I continued to be surprised by the
strength and spirit of each individual and
their family as they move through our
hospital. Because of support from the donor community, we are able to expand our
powerful mission to Tennessee, and we are
honored to be in the Nashville area.”
Above, Clockwise from Top: Shepherd
Center co-founder Alana Shepherd visits
with Sharon and Scot Ware. Shepherd
Center co-founder James Shepherd, center,
cuts the ribbon at the Tennessee facility.
CEO Gary Ulicny greets open house visitors.
Winter 2011 2 7
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Knowing that Shepherd cofounder James Shepherd was a
UGA alumnus, Justin assumed
an organization on campus
already existed to raise funds
for Shepherd. After doing
his research, however, Justin
learned that such an organization
didn’t exist. He decided that
he would be the one to create
something. And in early 2010,
Team Shepherd began.
Justin’s first step was to contact
Scott Sikes, executive director
of Shepherd Center Foundation,
and arrange a tour of the hospital.
Justin’s high opinion of Shepherd
was reaffirmed after meeting several
patients and seeing the care they
received. He spoke with Scott about
his idea to begin an organization that would raise funds for
Shepherd, and Scott supported it.
Justin recruited Elise Cashman, who is very involved at
UGA and who he knew would be able to help build Team
Shepherd from the ground up. Elise had been involved in
other philanthropic organizations on campus, but felt like she
needed a breath of fresh air. “After visiting the Center, I
was immediately sold by the ambience of the facility,
as well as the positive attitudes of the patients and
their families,” Elise says.
Justin and Elise then got to work creating Team
Shepherd. They received a startup fund from
Shepherd and created a name, logo and Website.
They also recruited a faculty advisor, Greg
Daniels, who is one of the senior development
officers at UGA. Now, they are working with
several fraternities and sororities on campus,
hoping those that don’t have a substantial
philanthropic cause will adopt Team Shepherd and
direct proceeds from their fundraising activities to
Shepherd Center.
“My vision is to grow a viral, minimal contribution
effort that adds up,” Justin says. “Shepherd
receives most of its contributions from the Atlanta
area, but small donations outside Atlanta can add
up and help, too.”
Small donations can,
indeed, add up, if Team
Shepherd rises to the
expectations that Scott,
Justin and Elise have for the
organization. “My vision is
to inspire a new generation
of financial support for
Shepherd Center,” Justin
says. “I would like to build a
model that other schools can
use to get involved.”
Scott also believes in the
potential that this group
has to be a model for other
colleges and universities.
“Because Shepherd Center’s patients come from all
over the country, this group at UGA may be creating a
template that could be followed by other student groups
across the nation,” he explains. “Imagine the long-term
positive impact this would have.”
Justin and Elise have many activities planned as they
begin to bring Shepherd and UGA closer together. During
the Shepherd Shoot-Out wheelchair basketball tournament
in November 2010, 14 UGA students traveled to Shepherd to
volunteer and meet patients. They fell in love with Shepherd
just as Justin and Elise did. Team Shepherd also plans to host
a party centered on a UGA sporting event and invite patients
and their families to watch a game on TV with students.
“My goal is to see people on this campus appreciate all
that Shepherd does,” Elise says. “To see these patients as
any less than hopeful, persistent and wonderful beings is
a tragedy. It is for this reason that we value face time – to
allow students to see each patient’s drive and desire to live a
normal, functioning life.”
Team Shepherd accepts gifts ranging from $1 to $249
via their website www.teamshepherd.org, or through Justin
and Elise. Gifts greater than $250 can be sent directly to
the Shepherd Center Foundation, where there is a Team
Shepherd account.
Above: University of Georgia students Justin Leef and Elise
Cashman (inset) have started Team Shepherd to help raise
funds for and awareness of Shepherd Center on campus.
Winter 2011 2 9
FoundationFeatures
Getting Outdoors
Adaptive ski trip and Adventure Skills Workshop
offer recreational opportunities for people with
physical and cognitive disabilities.
By Lauren Angelo
Shepherd Center is known for offering outstanding rehabilitation
care, but it’s also known for providing multiple opportunities to
patients and community members to explore new and exciting
activities, like wheelchair rugby, adaptive scuba trips, and the annual
Wheelchair Division of the Peachtree Road Race.
Two upcoming events offering opportunities to take former
patients and community members outdoors are the annual
snow skiing trip to Colorado in February and the Adventure Skills
Workshop in Jackson Gap, Ala., in May.
The 2011 ski trip, which is already fully booked for this
year, is scheduled for Feb. 11-16. Participants receive lessons
from a private instructor during all four days of the trip. Instructors
help participants learn to use one of two styles of sit skis – the
mono-ski, or the bi-ski. With each ski set-up, an individual sits in
a plastic bucket seat that is attached to the ski with a snowboardstyle binding. The mono-ski is typically used by more advanced
skiers, while the bi-ski is helpful to people who are new to skiing and
struggling with turning and balance.
Katie Murphy, the Shepherd Center therapeutic recreation
therapist who will be leading the ski trip, describes it as a wonderful
experience where people with and without disabilities come
together to do what they love.
“They are experiencing life as anyone else would,” Katie says.
“Through this amazing trip, they are able to see the many
opportunities that lie ahead of them.”
For information about next year’s ski trip,
contact Katie at katie_murphy@shepherd.
org, or 404-350-7465.
The Adventure Skills Workshop
(ASW) is scheduled for May 20-22, 2011
at Camp ASCCA, an accessible facility
located on Lake Martin near Jackson’s
Gap, Ala. ASW is a fun-filled weekend
designed for people with spinal cord injury
or disease, acquired brain injury, multiple
sclerosis, spina bifida, post-polio syndrome,
Guillain-Barré Syndrome, transverse myelitis or
ALS. Participants have the opportunity to enjoy
3 0 Spinal Column
more than 14 adaptive activities, including water skiing, jet skiing, a
climbing wall and rides on all-terrain vehicles.
“This camp is the chance of a lifetime for many people,” says
Kelly Edens, manager of the Therapeutic Recreation Department
at Shepherd. “This past year, half of participants at the Adventure
Skills Workshop were new to the event. Many of them had never
experienced life outside of their wheelchairs. It is so neat to see the
faces of the participants and their families when they feel like they
can live life again and be ‘normal.’”
Registration for the workshop will begin in February and continue
through May, although space is limited. The cost is $165 for
participants and includes meals, lodging, activities, instruction and
a T-shirt. The cost for family members is $150 and also includes
lodging, meals and a T-shirt. Participants will be able to register
online at shepherd.org/asw or by calling 404-350-7375.
Above: Former Shepherd Center patients participate
in adaptive snow skiing on an annual trip to Colorado.
Inset: Shepherd’s annual Adventure Skills Workshop
held in May always attracts a big group of former
patients and their families.
Legendary Patrons and Sponsors Get
Royal Treatment at Patron Party
lous event that featured live music by an
ensemble with strings and harpsichord,
beautiful flowers by Parties 2 Die For and
a spectacular gourmet cocktail buffet fit for
a king.
David Covell of Avenue Catering
Concepts and Bill Hewett of Hewett and
Saxon Catering collaborated on a remarkable menu that included Avenue’s lobster
Newburg, beof bourguignon, paté selections and a tantalizing dessert buffet. Chef
Bill contributed pan-seared scallops over
pureed cauliflower finished with truffled
brown butter and a selection of French
country-style patés. — Dean Melcher
Photos by Jim Fitts
Each September, Legendary Party
Sponsors and Patrons are treated to the
Patron Party, a special recognition event to
both thank them for their support of the
ball and to give them a preview of what’s
in store at the November Gala.
The 2010 Patron Party, held on Sept. 23,
was an elegant and fun event hosted by
Buckhead residents and Legendary Party
Sponsors Connie and Mark Hawn in their
lovely home.
Patron Party Committee members
Brenda Smith and Susan White assisted
ball Chairman Dorothy Mitchell-Leef,
M.D., in planning and arranging a fabu-
patron party co-chairmen
Brenda Smith and Susan White
patron party hosts
Connie and Mark Hawn
Above, Clockwise from Top: Patron Party Co-Chair Brenda Smith and her husband Dick attend the Patron Party. Also
enjoying the gathering are Chairman Dorothy Mitchell-Leef, M.D., left, her husband Forrest Leef and hostess Connie Hawn.
Left to right, Patron Party Co-Chair Susan White and her husband Tony enjoy the Party with their daughter Elizabeth Morris and
her husband Christopher.
Winter 2011 3 1
3 2 Spinal Column
Photo by Jim Fitts
Photo by Thomas Elliot
Photo by Jim Fitts
Photo by Jim Fitts
FoundationFeatures
e
Th
L
Leg
endary Party 2
010
AnEvening Fit forK
a ing
ouis XIV himself couldn’t have imagined
a better party than The Legendary Party
2010. Ball Chair Dorothy Mitchell-Leef,
M.D., promised an event fit for a king, and she certainly
delivered! The evening was a truly beautiful night featuring breath-taking décor, fabulous food and remarkable
entertainment.
“Legend of The Sun King, Reflections of Versailles,”
a French-themed event, was a delight that combined
Versailles’ famed gardens, Louis’ royal elegance and a great
deal of fun for all. Guests entered through 14-foot gilded
gates and strolled among beautiful antique statuary, fountains and mirror works – all graciously provided by Bruce
Cusmano and Metropolitan Artifacts. Beautiful florals
cascaded everywhere, and the Grand Ballroom was filled
with gold and flowers. All eyes were drawn to a fabulous
backdrop featuring a painting of Versaille itself – all the
genius and hard work of Kathy Rainer and Tricky Wolfes of
Parties 2 Die For.
A gloriously costumed Louis XIV welcomed guests with
a proclamation in French. Shepherd Center co-founder
and Chairman of the Board James Shepherd thanked
Dorothy and Chairmen-elect Cindy and Bill Voyles for all
their effort and support. He then recognized and thanked
Honorary Chairman Eula Carlos and the Carlos family for
their years of dedicated support, including establishment of
the Andrew C. Carlos MS Institute at Shepherd and the
Endowed Chair for MS Research at the Center.
Guests dined on a marvelous, classic French meal of
mushroom and foie gras vol au vent and tenderloin and
butter-poached lobster. National Distributing Co. generously provided wine for the night.
The entertainment was non-stop fun as guests were welcomed by a costumed string quartet. During the meal, diners enjoyed conversation as formally attired strings played
beautiful classical music in the background. Once dessert
was served, Simply Irresistible took the stage and provided a
deep catalog of dance music, from Motown to modern day,
that kept the dance floor filled all night.
This year’s Party raised more than $675,000 for patient
programs at Shepherd. Planning is under way for The
Legendary Party 2011. For information or to join the committee, email Cara Puckett at [email protected]
or call her at 404-350-7778. To view more pictures, please
visit www.TheLegendaryParty.com.
— Dean Melcher
Clockwise from Top Left: Chairman Dorothy Mitchell-Leef, M.D., second from left, and her husband Forrest Leef welcome Honorary
Chairman Eula Carlos and Chairmen-elect Cindy and Bill Voyles. Legendary Party honorees, the Carlos Family are, from left,
standing: Drew Carlos with her father, Jimmy Carlos, Helen Carlos and Ron Hilliard, Elaine Carlos; seated: Eula Carlos and
John Carlos. Silver Sponsors Sam and Vivian DuBose and Lynn Caldwell-Shearer and Bill Shearer in the Ballroom. Left to right are
Chairmen-elect Bill and Cindy Voyles, Forest Leef, Chairman Dorothy Mitchell-Leef, M.D., Fundraising Co-Chairmen Steve Lore
(back row) and Cyndae Arrendale (foreground), and Ladies and Gentlemen’s Committee Chairmen Eli and Heather Flint.
Winter 2011 3 3
FoundationFeatures
•
Chairman
he Legendary Party 2010 Committee
Dorothy Mitchell-Leef, M.D.
Honorary Chairman
Eula Carlos
Chairmen-Elect
Cindy and Bill Voyles
Fundraising Co-Chairmen
Cyndae Arrendale and
Steve Lore
Corporate Sponsorship
Co-Chairmen
Jane Bedford and Lisa Boone
Ladies and Gentlemen’s
Committee Chairmen
Heather and Eli Flint
Legendary Party
Committee
Elizabeth Allen
Ruth Anthony
David Apple, M.D.
Shellie Arnold
Evis Babo
Melanie Birchfield
Polly Bowman
Lynn Caldwell-Shearer
Helen Calvert
Elaine and John Carlos
Helen A. Carlos
Helen S. Carlos
Sara Chapman
Denise Cohen
Sherri Crawford
Pam D’Andria
Faye Donaldson
Sally Dorsey
Beverly Douglas, M.D.
Diane Evans
Debbie Goot
Anne Hux
Anne Jones
Valery Voyles Jordan
Tish Lanier
Donald P. Leslie, M.D.
Jayne Lipman
Susan McCaffrey
Leslie McLeod
Elisabeth Merchant
Evelyn Mims
Beverly Mitchell
Elizabeth Morris
Linda and Tom Morris
Juli Owens
Lois Puckett
Jane Puskas, DMD
Kay Quigley
Holly Rhodes
Jack Sawyer
•
Vickie Scaljon
Emory Schwall
Dana Shepherd
Dell Sikes
Jane Skinner
Pam Smart
Rebecca Smith
Brenda Smith
Claire Smith
Karen Spiegel
Gloria Stone
Karen Sturm
Carolyn Tanner
Carol Thompson
Sally Tomlinson
Terry Vawter
Jody Weatherly
Rebecca Webb
June Weitnauer
Susan White
Winston Wiant
omas Elliot
Photo by Th
Photo by Th
omas Elliot
Rendez Vous with Fun
3 4 Spinal Column
Legendary Late Night is always a highenergy, full-blast party, and Rendez
Vous was no exception. Just as The
Legendary Party crowd was enjoying
coffee and dessert in The RitzCarlton’s Grand Ballroom, an entirely
new crowd was checking in to get their
party started.
Shepherd Center Society and Junior
Committee members and their guests
arrived in style fresh from their preparties to enjoy cocktails and karaoke,
as well as dancing to Simply Irrisistible
in the ballroom.
Guests of both parties mixed and
mingled, and many wound up catching
their breath in the Gallery, which
featured Robert Ray on the piano and
a yummy waffle/crepe bar. Legendary
Late Night is always a great time, and
this year was no exception as guests
enjoyed non-stop fun in four rooms and
did their part to make The Legendary
Party 2010 a smashing success.
— Dean Melcher
•
he Legendary Party 2010Sponsors •
Mrs. Helen A. Carlos and
Mr. Ron Hilliard
Mr. and Mrs. James A. Carlos
Cooper-Atlanta Transportation
Services, Inc.
National Distributing
Company, Inc.
Mr. and Mrs. David Ratcliffe
Metropolitan Artifacts, Inc.,
and Bruce Cusmano
Neiman Marcus
Reproductive Biology
Associates
The Ritz-Carlton, Buckhead
Mrs. J. Lucian Smith
Teva Neuroscience
Joe Thomas and Melody
Cappiali
Ms. Sally G. Tomlinson
Rusty and Kimmy Umphenour
Valery Voyles and Robert
Jordan, Jr.
Mr. and Mrs. Louis D. Zakas
Benefactors
Silver Sponsors
The Atlanta Falcons
Avenue Catering Concepts
Ann Cox Foundation, Inc.
Biogen Idec
BNY Mellon
Choate Construction Co.
The Coca-Cola Company
Genuine Parts Company
David and Jennifer Kahn
Kay and Steve Lore
Parties 2 Die For – Kathy
Rainer and Tricky Wolfes
Warren P. and Ava F. Sewell
Foundation, Inc.
Charity and Michael Whitney
Mr. and Mrs. C. Scott Akers, Jr.
Fred Alias
Allergan
Dr. and Mrs. David Apple, Jr.
Mr. and Mrs. Albert Ashkouti
Sandra Anderson Baccus
Susanne Dansby Bollman
Caldwell Foundation
Nancy and Richard Chambers
Mr. and Mrs. Peter Dames
Vivian and Sam DuBose
Fidelity Bank
Heather and Eli Flint
Jere and Angela Garde
Debbie and Stephen Goot
Sally and Frank Hanna
Mr. and Mrs. Billy Hulse
Ann and Michael Kay
Kay and Craig MacKenzie
Dr. and Mrs. Abner Moore
Elizabeth and Chris Morris
Linda and Tom Morris
Mr. and Mrs. McKee Nunnally
Mr. and Mrs. Mark Pirrung
Larry and Sandra Prince
Dr. and Mrs. William Scaljon
Alana and Harold Shepherd
Platinum
Mrs. Eula Carlos
Mr. and Mrs. John A. Carlos
Ruth and Talmage Dobbs, Jr.
Charitable Foundation
Philanthropists
Gold Sponsors
Elizabeth and Carleton Allen
Cyndae Arrendale
BNY Mellon
Crawford & Company
Mr. and Mrs. Jesse Crawford
A Friend of Shepherd Center
Connie and Mark Hawn
Mr. and Mrs. Justin P. Jones
Dr. Dorothy Mitchell-Leef and
Mr. Forrest Leef
Brenda and Dick Smith
Linda and Mike Stephens
Carol and Jim Thompson
Bill and Cindy Voyles
June and John Weitnauer
Tony and Susan White
Mr. and Mrs. Steven F.
Whitmire
Patrons
Gayle and Jimmy Alston
Arnall Golden Gregory LLP
Ruth A. Bartlett
Marla and Tom Bennett
Mr. and Mrs. Matthew James
Calvert
Rives and Kathleen Carter
Dr. and Mrs. G. R. Cary
Janet and John Costello
Jane and Foy Devine
Faye and John Donaldson
Anna Elmers, M.D., JD
Maureen and Tom Escott
Mr. and Mrs. C. Michael
Evert, Jr.
Mr. and Mrs. William Fowler
Joann and Tom Gallagher
General Building
Maintenance, Inc.
Andrew Ghertner
Shannon and Larry Gillespie
Carol L. Goodman
Mr. and Mrs. William Hanger
Deborah and Bill Harrison
N. Cole Harrison III
Mr. and Mrs. Tom Jewell
JSD Holdings, Inc.
Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence P.
Klamon
India and Paul Klein
Tish and Willis Lanier
Meurice and Peggy LeFevre
Lighthouse Financial Partners
John Lin, M.D.
Charles and Hannah
Machemehl
Dr. and Mrs. Randy Martin
Susan and Jim McCaffrey
Cynthia and Jon McCague
Mr. and Mrs. Harmon B.
Miller III
Ben Noble
Mr. and Mrs. James E. Prickett
Kay and Ron Quigley
Pam and Dan Reeves
Holly and Will Rhodes
Clyde Rodbell
Jack Sawyer and Bill
Torres, M.D.
Emory Schwall
Dana Shepherd
Julie Shepherd
Sarah and Jamie Shepherd
Steve and Eloise Shepherd
Tommy Shepherd
Mr. and Mrs. W. Clyde
Shepherd
Valerie and Scott H. Sikes
Mr. and Mrs. William Daniel
Skinner
Dr. and Mrs. Edwin Slappey
Karen and John Spiegel
Anthony and Lottie Stefanis
SunTrust Bank
Timothy Tew and Joseph
Northington
Dr. Judith Tolkan and Dr.
Gerald Bilsky
Dr. and Mrs. Gary R. Ulicny
Rebecca and Den Webb
Facing Page, Top: Legendary
Late Night guests, left to
right, Brianne Clayton, Kristen
Snabes and Danielle Dawson
enjoy the party. Facing Page,
Bottom: Annie Winkler, Trey
Weatherly and Miller Jackson
pause before heading to the
main ballroom to enjoy Simply
Irresistible.
Winter 2011 3 5
Photos by Thomas Elliot
FoundationFeatures
Golf Tournament and Tee-Off Party Raise Funds
for Shepherd Center Patients
October’s Shepherd Center Cup and Tee-Off Party were a great
success and raised more than $230,000 for the Shepherd Center
Foundation’s Annual Fund. This two-day event is a favorite as it
offers a terrific cocktail party and auction, as well as a great tournament for serious and recreational golfers.
The Tee-Off Party was hosted by Buckhead residents Amanda
and Chip Reames in their lovely home. The Oct. 7 party was on
a beautiful and warm fall evening, so guests were able to enjoy
the garden as they dined on Avenue Catering’s delicious crab and
fried green tomato sliders and pulled pork wraps, while bidding
Shepherd
Center
Cup 2010
Tournament
Results
3 6 Spinal Column
on exciting live and silent auction items. Highlights of the auction
included fine wines, a hunting trip to New Zealand and an original
painting of Lady Liberty by Steve Penley.
The tournament was held on Oct. 11 at Cherokee Country Club.
Golfers enjoyed a delicious grilled lunch. The round was highly
competitive, and golfers on the North Course enjoyed the recently
renovated greens. Golfers received a Cleveland Diablo hybrid club
as a tee gift, and all enjoyed a great round of golf for a great cause.
To view more pictures, please visit www.shepherdcentercup.com.
— Dean Melcher
North Course
1st Place
2nd Place
3rd place
South Course
Low Gross 126
Morgan Stanley Smith
Barney (108 net)
REPAY Realtime
Electronic Payments
(108 net)
Tony White (108 net)
Low Gross 126
Dave Apple
Lee Oliver
Steve Wilkes
Steve Macciocchi
State Bank
Hunter Amos
Kris Mikkelson
Chris Mattie
Court Thomas
Brian Frank
Bert Stein
Kelley Day
Chuck Miller
Shaler Alias
Andrew Alias
Edward Haluska
Joe Wilen
Lawson Spence
George Lipton
Jeff Koontz
Don Duckworth
Shepherd Center Cup 2010 Sponsors
Shepherd Center Cup 2010
Tournament Committee
Hunter Amos
Jay Cohen
Kennedy Hicks
Duane Morrow
Bradley Wilson
Dennis McClelland
Street Nalley
Murray Reavis
Kevin Sessions
Frank Spears
John Stewart
Gary Ulicny, Ph.D.
Jeremy Wing
Daniel Yates
Sponsorship Team
Auction Captains
Shaler Alias
Duncan Beard
Charles Beard
Billijack Bell
Jeremy Borak
Andrew Bouton
William Brakebill
Reg Buzzell
Jim Caswell
John Dryman
Brent Dutson
David Flint
Paxton Griffin
Jennifer Hargett
Catie Haynes
Deanna Joffe
Darryl Kaelin, M.D.
Krunch Kloberdanz
Donald P. Leslie, M.D.
Steve Lore
Lois Puckett
Amy Salloum
William Stallworth
Winston Wiant
Chairman
John Rooker
Sponsorship Captains
Auction Team
Hannah Amick
Duvall Brumby
Michelle Crenshaw
Hamilton Dickey
Tammie Dunlap
Paxton Head
John Horgan
Philip Mize
Juli Owens
Shannon Pingley
Courtney Platz
Jamie Reynolds
Dana Shepherd
Jennifer Tommasello
Facing Page, Clockwise from Top Left: Tournament Chairman
John Rooker speaks before the live auction. John lines up his
shot on the course. David Apple, M.D., right, follows through on
his putt. Ian and Michele Lloyd-Jones, left, and Jayne and John
Lipman enjoy the Tee Off Party.
1st Place
2nd Place
3rd Place
Baker Audio
(96 net)
Sir Properties
(101 net; 130 gross)
Sunbelt Glass &
Aluminum, Inc.
(101 net)
Keith Hicks
Jason Hicks
Todd Butler
Darryl Bak
Kevin Connelly
Sean Connelly
Mark Stewart
Tommy Stewart
Hubert Suttles
Rich Pacella
Charlie Bragg
Tommy Beman
Tee-Off Party Presenting
Sponsor
Choate Construction Company
North Course Sponsor
Amerisure Insurance
Tee-Off Party Sponsors
Biogen Idec
Hennessy Automobile
Companies
Medalist Sponsors
United Medical
Michael and Charity Whitney
Team and Hole Sponsors
Atlantic Capital Bank
Batchelor & Kimball
Beard – Shuford Financial Group
REPAY Realtime Electronic
Payments
Piedmont Healthcare
Rooker Co.
Schreeder Wheeler & Flint, LLP
Plant Improvement Co., Inc.
Sewell Printing Service, Inc.
State Bank & Trust
Turner Broadcasting Company
Team Sponsors
Clyde and Summer Anderson Foundation
ATG Rehab
Atlanta Gastroenterology
Associates, LLC
Bank of America
Baker Audio, Inc.
Eugenia L. Battle
John W. Beiser
Bennett Thrasher PC
Chick-fil-A, Inc.
Davis, Matthews & Quigley, P. C.
The Dryman Team and
Transwestern
E. R. Snell Contractor, Inc.
Joe Hamilton
Hardline Homes
Heery International, Inc.
HIMformatics, LLC
Ironwood Insurance
Services, LLC
Mail Sort, Inc.
Milner, Inc.
Momar Incorporated (2)
Morgan Stanley Smith Barney
P. C. Management Company
Pittman Construction Co.
Quantum Rehab
Questcor Pharmaceuticals
Resourse Real Estate Partners
E. R. Snell Contractor, Inc.
Sunbelt Glass & Aluminum, Inc.
SunTrust Bank, Atlanta
SunTrust Bank
Troutman Sanders, LLP
Turner Broadcasting Company
Tony White
UBS Private Wealth
Management
VCC
Yates Insurance Agency, Inc.
Hole Sponsors
Arcapita
BB&T
Coldroom Systems, Inc.
Diversified Investment Advisors
Genuine Parts Company (2)
JSD Holdings, Inc.
LCG Associates, Inc.
Cynthia and Jon McCague
Monterey Wealth
Payscape Advisors
Jason A. Schneider, M.D.,
Resurgens Orthopaedics
Smith & Howard, PC
Sports Art, Inc.
Patrons
John Cleveland
Cole Family Foundation
John and Ann Day
George F. Richardson, Inc.
Valerie and Scott H. Sikes
Winter 2011 3 7
FoundationFeatures
Wes Gordon Fashion Show at Saks Fifth Avenue
Benefits Shepherd Center
host committee
Cyndae Arrendale
Photo by Ben Rose, The Atlantan
chairman
Saks Fifth Avenue recently hosted a fashion
show featuring designs by Atlanta native
Wes Gordon to benefit Shepherd Center.
More than 150 ladies (and a few gents)
attended the Oct. 27 fashion show and
cocktail reception in the Phipps Plaza store.
Shepherd Center volunteers Lois Puckett,
Cyndae Arrendale and Juli Owens, along
with WES GORDON, LLC’s Delis Yanker, put
together a terrific event to raise funds and
awareness for the Center.
The Atlantan Magazine was the official
media sponsor of the event, and Morton’s
Steakhouse graciously provided tasty hors
d’oeuvres for the guests, as they ooo’d and
ahh’d over Wes’ spring collection.
Named “Best Newcomer in
Womenswear” design by Harrods
Magazine, Wes studied at the famously
competitive Central Saint Martins University
of Art and Design in London. He also
interned with Oscar de la Renta and Tom
Ford before creating his own line.
For more information about Wes and his
clothes, please visit his Website at
www.wesgordon.com. — Dean Melcher
Above: A model shows off the crowd’s
favorite gown at the fashion show.
Cathy Allen
Ruth Anthony
Shelli Arnold
Margaret Bankoff
Donna Barwick
Heather Flint
Diane Gordon
Page Harty
Kathy Hunsinger
Kevin Knaus
Caroline Leake
Valerie Love
Rhonda McClelland
Sue McKinley
Dorothy Mitchell-Leef, M.D.
Juli Owens
Ashley Preisinger
Lois Puckett
Danielle Rollins
Diana Sharple
Dana Shepherd
Jane Fickling Skinner
Brenda Smith
Claire Walker
Shepherd Center Society Gets a Makeover for its Third Year
The Shepherd Center Society (SCS) was created to provide 27to 45-year-old supporters a place to socialize and learn more
about the hospital while raising money for Shepherd Center
patients. It is a bridge of sorts between the Junior Committee and
our older groups, Peach Corps and the Shepherd Center Auxiliary.
After a successful first two years, SCS assessed its accomplishments
and plans for the future. Subsequently, SCS leaders decided to
restructure the group’s leadership, broaden membership criteria and
reduce the number of large events from four to two – thus, refocusing
volunteer energy and reducing spending. SCS will also organize
periodic happy hours at local eateries. Membership dues will
continue to be $75 per person, which will allow members to attend
both large events at no charge.
The first major event for SCS will be the Big Game Bash on
Sunday, Feb. 6. Football fans will gather to eat, drink and cheer on
3 8 Spinal Column
their favorite team, all in the name of helping Shepherd Center. For a
small donation, guests can participate in some friendly competition
based on the game. All are welcome; non-members will be asked to
make a $20 donation to enjoy the festivities.
SCS will hold its second event, Summer In The City, in June.
Tickets for non-members will be $80, and sponsorships will start at
$150. A partnership with Republic National Distributing will make this
gathering a marquee event you won’t want to miss. Featuring live
music, chefs from local restaurants serving up delicious eats and
wine experts offering wine tastings, this party will leave you wanting
more. We’ll shake things up with the introduction of a Chinese
auction, a cross between a drawing and an auction.
For more information on joining SCS or sponsoring one of the
events, contact Anne Pearce at [email protected] or
404-350-7302. — Anne Pearce
Junior Committee Plans
29th Annual Derby Day
For the past 28 years, Shepherd Center’s
Junior Committee has come together to plan
Derby Day – one of the most notable events on
Atlanta’s spring calendar.
This year is no different with a couple hundred 22- to 35-year-old
young professionals meeting monthly to plan and implement this
important fundraiser for Shepherd Center. While Junior Committee
members spend the fall focused mostly on securing sponsorships
and other donations, in the spring, they turn their attention to the
logistics of the event while continue to raise funds.
With 2011 being Derby Day’s second year at the Georgia
International Horse Park in Conyers, the committee is more
confident knowing how wonderful the new venue is. The horse
park is easy to find, and the beautiful landscape allowed for a
picturesque backdrop.
The committee has been working on some exciting event upgrades,
including an improved and updated Website and a new magazinesized, color program to be distributed to Derby Day guests.
The Website is more user-friendly and functional for potential
sponsors, Derby Day guests and Junior Committee members.
Members can log on and get a recap of the last meeting held
or check out Millionaire’s Row – a new page created to highlight
breaking news about Derby Day, new developments at Shepherd
Center and exciting news about committee members. Sponsors
can get information about the various levels of support, download
commitment forms or view a list of the current sponsors. Derby
Day guests can get information about the event location, view the
schedule for Derby Day and purchase tickets (on sale beginning
March 7, 2011).
The new program for Derby Day will be a full-sized, color
publication that will include information about the auction, a list of
all sponsors and committee members, and our newest feature –
corporate advertisements and personal messages. A new benefit
added to the Blue Ribbon Sponsor ($2,500) through the Presenting
Sponsor ($20,000) levels is the opportunity to submit their company
logo or advertisement, or for individuals, a personal message of
thanks, congratulations or encouragement. For sponsors whose
gifts are not at a level that includes this benefit, or for those who
aren’t interested in becoming a sponsor, but would like to place an
advertisement, they can be purchased at a reduced rate depending
on the size of the advertisement.
The Junior Committee will be accepting new members until early
March 2011. For more information about joining Junior Committee
or sponsoring Derby Day, log on to www.DerbyDay.com or contact
Anne Pearce at [email protected] or 404-350-7302.
— Anne Pearce
Derby Day Levels of Support
sponsorship levels
Presenting Sponsor
Winner’s Circle Sponsor
Triple Crown Sponsor
Platinum Sponsor
Blue Ribbon Sponsor
Gold Cup Sponsor Silver Cup Sponsor
$20,000
$15,000
$10,000
$5,000
$2,500
$1,000
$500
patron levels
Patron$250
Junior Patron $150
program advertisements
without sponsorship
Full-Page Advertisement
$3,000
Half-Page Advertisement $2,000
One-Third Page Advertisement $1,000
Quarter-Page Advertisement
$500
Above: Guests at Derby Day 2010
watch the Kentucky Derby.
rotary club of brookhaven
“Service Above Self”
Invitational Golf Tournament
Monday, May 23, 2011
Cherokee Country Club
The primary beneficiary will be Shepherd Center’s
SHARE Initiative. For sponsorship or player
information, call 770-395-7887 or send an email to
[email protected].
Winter 2011 3 9
FoundationFeatures
Shepherd Center Foundation Advisory Board
Gathers for Biannual Meeting
Emeriti, national and active members of the Shepherd Center
Foundation Advisory Board enjoyed an evening of socializing,
networking and learning about new Shepherd Center initiatives
at the group’s biannual meeting on Sept. 20.
The guest speaker for the evening was Kathleen Brady, whose
son was admitted to Shepherd Center’s SHARE Initiative in
mid-July. SHARE is a comprehensive brain and spinal cord
injury rehabilitation program for U.S. soldiers injured in Iraq and
Afghanistan. While Kathleen’s son still has a long road to recovery, his family is relieved to know that he is getting the comprehensive care he needs, she said.
In particular, Kathleen commended the program for its continuum of care and services all provided under one roof and under
the supervision of the same doctor. That approach is ideal for her
son’s recovery, she said. She closed by commenting on the uniqueness of the SHARE Initiative. “While it is not the hospital’s duty
to serve this patient population and to fill this gap, I am eternally
grateful that Shepherd Center has,” Kathleen said.
Also at the meeting, Jim Calise, chairman of the Advisory
Board, gave special recognition to three board members who have
gone beyond the call of duty. Those members are:
Lois Puckett | Lois has been on
the board since 2004. Since then,
she has spent countless hours
volunteering her time through
the Shepherd Center Auxiliary,
helping the Foundation staff with
many special event fundraisers and planning special events
for patients. Lois has planned
numerous weddings and wedding anniversaries for Shepherd
patients. She even organized a wedding proposal involving an
airplane flying by Shepherd Center with a “Will you marry me?”
banner. Jim thanked Lois for more than 4,384 hours of dedication
to Shepherd patients.
Bill Saling | Bill began serving
on the Advisory Board in April
2010. He and members from
Vets Helping Vets (a nonprofit
organization he started) recently
completed renovations of the
Shepherd Place Apartments for
SHARE Initiative patients. His
volunteers drove from Big Canoe,
Ga., every week for more than a year to work on the project. They
also raised $50,000 to cover the cost of supplies. Jim thanked Bill
for all the hard work that went into making a second home for
these patients.
4 0 Spinal Column
Robert Hagemeyer | Bob
has supported Shepherd Center
since 2007. Inspired by his own
progress as a spinal cord injury
patient at Shepherd Center, Bob
established an endowment fund
in 2008 to provide funds for outpatient therapy patients who have
exhausted their insurance, but
have shown consistent progress and would benefit from continued
therapy. Through this scholarship, Bob has created a legacy at the
hospital that will allow patients to continue to have access to the
expert care Shepherd provides.
Jim also announced the names of new Shepherd Center
Advisory Board members. They are:
•L
auren Hooks | Director of Sales and Client Services,
Invesco; 2009 Co-Chair, Shepherd Center Society
•T
ycho Howle | Pioneer in the e-business arena; Founder,
Harbinger Computer Services; Founder and Chairman, nuBridges
• Ryan Hoyt | Senior Leasing Associate, Jackson Oats Shaw
Corporate Real Estate; 2009 Co-Chair, Derby Day
• Mark Riley | Partner, Urban Realty; Director, The Sartain
Lanier Family Foundation, Inc.
• Robert Thompson | Managing Partner, Thompson Law, LLC
• Scot Ware | Former Patient of Shepherd Center; recently
gifted Shepherd Center a rehabilitation center in Franklin,
Tenn., (near Nashville)
–— Ansley Martin
Pecans for Your Valentine
Shepherd Center Auxiliary’s Pecans on Peachtree
are available for purchase for those special people in
your life for Valentine’s Day. Back by popular
demand, the Valentine Chocolate Trio has
almonds, cashews and pecan halves
covered in milk chocolate. The trio is
packaged in a red tin with gold Valentine
hearts and tied with a large red ribbon.
Valentine pecans are available for pickup
at the Center while supplies last between Feb.
2 and 14. Order by Feb. 6 for Valentine’s delivery. Visit
pecansonpeachtree.org to place your order, or call 404367-1322 or toll free at 1-877-5-PECANS.
Notes from Scott H.Sikes
Shepherd Center Foundation Executive Director
Shepherd Center’s Culture of Seeing Beyond
Injury Based Upon Five Pillars of Excellence
At Shepherd Center, we have been
“seeing beyond injury” since 1975.
This means that we see the whole
patient, not an injury. We see a
human being who is ready to get
back to a full home, school and/or
E
work life as soon as possible. One
reason we can see beyond
a patient’s injury and help
our patients to do the same
is our unique culture.
Some people have jokingly said that we take our
volunteer and employee
S
culture so seriously that
we are almost a cult.
Our President and Chief
Executive Officer, Gary
Ulicny, Ph.D., often says,
“Culture beats strategy
every time.” We believe our
culture is the key to our
success in producing positive patient outcomes far
five pillars
of excellence
beyond national averages.
Shepherd Center is one
of those few places where
people actually “walk the talk,” not just “talk the talk.”
Everything we do at Shepherd Center revolves around a
culture based upon our “Five Pillars of Excellence.” Each
employee and volunteer is oriented to the five pillars concept when they begin. Employees keep a card listing the
five pillars in a plastic sleeve behind their ID badge. The
five pillars are people, service, quality, finance and growth.
The agenda of every meeting of the senior management team
must coincide with the five pillars. In other words, we start those
meetings with things that fit under the people category, then the
service category and so on.
Who are the people in the first of the five pillars – the people
pillar? The word people represents the patients, patients’ famiPEOP
SERVIC
LE
AN
FIN CE
LIT
UA Y
Q
G
WT
RO H
lies, patients’ friends, vendors of equipment and services to the
hospital, consulting or visiting doctors, and other medical professionals, donors, volunteers and staff. We often say, “Everyone
is the customer.”
Service comes next. Service at Shepherd Center means going
above and beyond what might simply be required by the person
with whom we are dealing at the moment. We ask ourselves:
“How can we completely satisfy
that person? What is it that we
would want if we were in that
person’s shoes?”
In the order of importance,
quality comes next. Quality
means doing it right the first
time. We know that if we take
care of people, service and quality,
then finance and growth will take
care of themselves. By finance, we
mean financial strength necessary to provide superior care for
our patients and go far beyond
that into the realms of research,
patient advocacy and more.
Our hospital Board of
Directors has a quality committee
that works with a full-time staff
member, Sue Bowen, to make
rounds themselves throughout
our campuses to see that we are
following the five pillars – not
simply the quality pillar.
If you would like to learn more
about Shepherd Center’s Five
Pillars of Excellence or make a gift that will help the finance pillar,
please call me at 404-350-7305 or email me at
[email protected].
We believe
our culture
is the key to
our success
in producing
positive
patient
outcomes
far beyond
national
averages.
Winter 2011 4 1
Tributes
Honorariums
Honorees are listed first in bold print followed by the names of
those making gifts in their honor. This list reflects gifts made to
Shepherd Center between Aug. 1, 2010 and Sept. 30, 2010.
Larry Bowie –
Excellent Board Presentation
Dr. David F. Apple, Jr.
Eula C. Carlos
Covenant Foundation, Inc.
Mr. and Mrs. Louis D. Zakas
Nate Causey
Ms. Jane C. Davis
Sara and Donnie Chapman
Ms. Jane Brown
Sam Dowlen’s Recovery
Mr. and Mrs. Alex Whatley
Sam Draluck’s 85th Birthday
Mr. and Mrs. Marvin H. Draluck
Mitchell J. Fillhaber –
Rhalda Friedmen’s Recovery
Mrs. Sam Arogeti
Rosalind Haber’s Recovery
Mrs. Sam Arogeti
Photo by Alex Seblatnigg
Robert H. Antonisse
Mr. and Mrs. Julius Ehrlich
Ms. Laurie Carter
Ms. Donna W. Loupus
Cyndae A. Arrendale’s Birthday
Mr. and Mrs. Steve A. Williams
Cyndae A. Arrendale
Mr. and Mrs. Robert G. Watt
Sally C. Atwell
Ms. Carol R. Catanzaro
Deborah Backus – “Clinical Service Excellence Award”
Marla J. Bennett
Mrs. Robert J. Howard
Mr. and Mrs. David D. Wolf
Michael Bliss
Mr. and Mrs. Earl Repp
Scott R. Boerth
Mr. John R. Simmerman
Caroline Hemingway –
Stephen C. Hester’s Recovery
Stone Creek Baptist Church
Anne Hall and James Howard
Ms. Nancy E. Wellons
Betty and Billy Hulse
Mr. and Mrs. Nicholas Mulcare
Ronald Hurst’s Recovery and Anniversary of his Accident
Mr. and Mrs. Ronald Hurst
Elizabeth Iski – “Congratulations on becoming an American citizen!”
Tony, Marta and Gabe Kirchman
Mr. Dan Callahan
Elaine and Alan Kolodkin’s
50th Anniversary
Mrs. Sam Arogeti
Anne Kratochvil’s Recovery
Mrs. Judy L. Cashman
Judge Phyllis Kravitch’s Birthday
Mrs. Bernice K. Mazo
Letitia E. “Tish” Lanier
Mrs. Sam C. Inman
Mr. and Mrs. Roland L’Heureux’s Anniversary
Mr. and Mrs. Marc Brunelle
Chase Mann’s Recovery
Mr. and Mrs. Paul McCain
Robert L. “Bobby” Mays
Mr. Claiborne Jones
Mary Anna McClendon
Anonymous
Patty and Neal McEwen –
Congratulations on the birth of Emma McEwen!
Mr. and Mrs. James H. Shepherd III
Erica Morchower’s Bat Mitzvah
Dr. Amy Schwartz
Duane M. Morrow
Ms. Lisa Vacante
Julie and David Mucher’s Anniversary
Mr. and Mrs. Gil C. Mucher
Heidi and David Nagel –
Congratulations on the birth of Mason Nagel!
Cherry S. Peurifoy
Mrs. Jack U. Greenlees
Craig L. Powell’s Birthday
Mrs. Janet Powell
Susanna Rains and Collin Moriarity’s Wedding
Reverend Alan Roof
Chris Riley’s Recovery
Miss Julie Bane
John W. Rooker
Mrs. Spalding Ashley
Jane M. Sanders –
Faye Shemper’s Recovery
Mrs. Sam Arogeti
Shepherd Center Chaplains and Sunday Service
Mrs. Judy L. Cashman
Stephen B. Shepherd’s Birthday
Ms. Mary B. Bickers
Natalie Shinn’s Recovery
Gregg Shinn, DVM
Wes Varda
Marty Mercer, Inc.
Mr. Tom O’Dea
Mr. and Mrs. James Quaid
Graham Welsh
The Atlanta Forum
It was a perfect fall day for the annual Peach Corps Fall Cookout on Sunday, Oct. 4, in the Shepherd
Garden. Seventeen volunteers served hamburgers, hot dogs and ice cream to more than 250 patients
and family members. Face painters were on hand for the younger guests, and Birds of Prey offered
an exciting show of hawks, vultures and other predatory birds. Here, Buck Rogers, left, and sons Alex,
second from left, and Max get up close with one of the birds and his handler.
4 2 Spinal Column
Deceased friends of Shepherd Center are listed first in bold
print followed by the names of those making gifts in their
memory. This list reflects gifts made to Shepherd Center
between Aug. 1, 2010 and Sept. 30, 2010.
Kassandra Butler
Mr. and Mrs. Charles P. Gross
Jackie Lefler
Dr. John R. Castle
Mrs. Kay Beard
Bobby and Anne Castle
Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Horne
Neville B. Coltman
Mr. and Mrs. Henry Absher
BioScience Communications
Mr. and Mrs. Philip Box
Mr. and Mrs. Joel K. Brooks
Mr. Bruce Copilevitz and
Ms. Kay Copilevitz
Ms. Rachel Jorgensen
Ms. Joan F. Lee
Mr. and Mrs. Christopher Lewis
Dr. Jennifer McKenzie and
Mr. Ken McKenzie
Ms. Mollie Peddar
Mr. and Mrs. Robert G. Roper
Ms. Stephanie Sarokin
Diane Ison Coursey
Mr. Robert H. Hogg III
Dr. Robert Carr Denny
Dana Coyle
Mrs. Sonja Decker
Mr. and Mrs. Bill Fenstermacher
Mr. and Mrs. David J. Klinke
Mr. and Mrs. Raymond G. Rouleau
Mr. Charles A. Zabriskie
Sam Dinerman
Marcia H. Duggan
Mr. W. R. McCollum, Jr.
Mr. and Mrs. J. Harold Shepherd
Mr. and Mrs. John E. Singleton
Dr. and Mrs. Carter W. Smith, Jr.
Emma Jean Dye
Mr. and Mrs. Joel K. Isenberg
Linwood S. “Woody” Evans
Terri and Mike Bamonte
Mr. and Mrs. William P. Betchman
Ms. Melissa Dutton
Mr. and Mrs. Steve Lowder
Mr. and Mrs. Henry A. McFaddin
Lee A. McLeod
Mrs. Sandra Parnell
Mr. and Mrs. William C. Thorne
Mr. and Mrs. Robert W. Wilder
Aunt Eleanor Galanti
Mr. and Mrs. Victor L. Cohen
Morris R. Galanti
Mr. and Mrs. Victor L. Cohen
Inez Gordon
Mr. and Mrs. James M. Caswell, Jr.
Sidney I. Gottler
Ms. Betty Schaffer
William Chenault Hailey
Nick Hardage
Mrs. Margie Hardage
Ms. Mina Harrouff
Ivelisse Mendez
Jerry M. Hux
Mr. and Mrs. Bill Bingham
Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin G. Bowen
Mr. and Mrs. James A. Breedlove
Mr. and Mrs. William Buist
Bob and Jay Drennan, Rob and Sarah Drennan and Nicole and Mike Luna
Mr. and Mrs. David H. Gambrell
Mr. and Mrs. William H. Harrison
Mr. and Mrs. Charles H. Howell
Ms. Candace Klein
Mr. and Mrs. Eric Main
Mark Sunderland Mark Sunderland Interiors
Ms. Reagan Michaelis
Ms. Lauren Murrieta
Mr. and Mrs. Abner F. Patton
Mrs. John Peurifoy
Atlanta Falcons, left to right, Michael Turner, John Parker
Wilson and Ovie Mughelli and cheerleaders visit with patient
Drake Damesworth, 14, of Gleason, Tenn.
Photo by Darlene Johnson
Robert Adams
Mr. and Mrs. Donald C. Chapman, Jr.
Karl M. Anschutz
Mrs. Holly C. Drake
Laura A. Anschutz
Mrs. Holly C. Drake
McCary Ballard
Mrs. Gloria Dobbs Cowart
Mrs. Charles H. Peterson
Farrah Johnson Castle Berry
Mr. J. Hampton Stevens
Claude Blair
Mrs. Joan Woodall
Joseph E. Bullen
Mr. Jonathan E. Bullen
Dr. John Bussey
Ms. Dana Shepherd
Maria Shepherd
Photo by Caroline Hemingway
Memorials
Marcus Community Bridge Program staff lead a weekend
therapeutic recreation outing at Brasstown Valley Resort in the
north Georgia mountains. Among the activities offered to former
patients is wheelchair tennis.
Winter 2011 4 3
Tributes
Frances F. Leake
Mrs. Joan Woodall
John W. Lundeen
Mrs. Patricia C. Williams
Dr. James H. Milsap, Jr.
George Mims
Ms. Dana Shepherd
Maria Shepherd
Voyde W. Moody
Mr. and Mrs. John G. Alston, Sr.
Katharine S. Moski
Mrs. R. B. Lippincott, Jr.
Jean Hunt Newton
Mr. Emory A. Schwall
Regina Northrop
Mrs. Sally C. Atwell
Wiley S. Obenshain
Mr. and Mrs. John G. Alston, Sr.
Kevin Patrick O’Brien
Ms. Sally Baer
Mr. and Mrs. Gary Baumgartner
Mr. and Mrs. Michael Diluigi
Mr. and Mrs. James E. Kirby
Ms. Julie A. Moore
Ms. Carlene A. Tamburo
Mr. and Mrs. Thomas J. Thompson
Brandon Pentz
Julie B. Poole
Mr. and Mrs. Milton Kassel
Wilma Redfearn
Mrs. Gloria Landreth
Sherri Rudd
Ms. Anne L. Davis
Mr. Edward Flinn
Mary Elizabeth Schroder
William Clyde Shepherd, Jr.
Mrs. Barbara S. Malkove
Mrs. Charles H. Peterson
Ms. Dana Shepherd
Maria Shepherd
Mr. and Mrs. P. Daniel Yates
Barbara Sleeper
Candice R. Smith
Mrs. Eva Heimann
Photo by Gary Meek
Photo by Gary Meek
Sam C. Inman
Mrs. Robert J. Howard
Mr. John Barton Marks, Jr.
The Shepherd Center Auxiliary
Mr. and Mrs. Terrence M. Tracy
Mrs. Joan Woodall
Anne P. Jackson –
“A favorite patient”
Mavis Oglesby Johnson
Dr. and Mrs. Carter W. Smith, Jr.
Paula F. Johnson
Teresa “Sissy” Johnson
Mr. and Mrs. David M. Lacy
Paul Kostuik
Mr. and Mrs. A. Gerry Borud
Photo by Midge Tracy
Mr. and Mrs. Dell B. Sikes
Mr. Vincent L. Slagel
Mrs. Wendy Sprintz Neinken
Mr. and Mrs. James D. Thompson
Mr. and Mrs. Edward Vaught
Ms. Anna N. Watkins
Workers make final updates to the renovation of the 22,500 square
feet of the second floor of the Shepherd Building. It is expected to
reopen in January 2011. The reopening of the second floor will allow
contiguous space for the Acquired Brain Injury and Neurospecialty
units between the second floors of the Shepherd and MarcusWoodruff buildings. The renovation was made possible by the gifts
of generous donors.
4 4 Spinal Column
Elvis (a.k.a. Darryl Kaelin, M.D.) rocks at the kickoff party for
ShepherdCares 2011 Employee Giving Campaign.
David H. Vroon
Lanette W. White
Mr. Samuel L. Boroughs
Mr. and Mrs. Larry Dodd
Mr. and Mrs. Clifford Ewing
Mr. and Mrs. David R. Glew
Holland Medical Equipment, Inc.
Mr. Todd Lane
Mrs. Katia S. Moore
Mr. and Ms. Jeffrey E. Morrison
Mrs. Joann Oswalt
Mr. and Mrs. Malcolm W. Quick
Ms. Betty A. Shackleford
Mr. and Mrs. Mike Shaw
Mrs. Cynthia O. Stanford
Mr. and Mrs. Alton G. Wiggers
Ms. Melinda Williams
Mr. Jeremy Woodson
Mr. and Mrs. Mark Woodworth
Billy D. Williams
Mr. and Mrs. Larry Dodd
A. D. Willis
Erwin Zaban
Mr. and Mrs. Charles M. Shaffer, Jr.
“The Journey Back to
Life Spinal Cord Injury
Symposium” in Dalton
featured several speakers
from Shepherd Center. Left
to right are: Cheryl Linden,
OT, LPC, Shepherd Center;
Kathy Adams, Director of
Clinical Services, Accord
Services; Dan Miears,
Director of Marketing,
Accord Services; Cathy
Gragg, Director of Nursing,
Accord Services; David
Apple, M.D., Medical
Director Emeritus,
Shepherd Center.
Photo by Gary Meek
Shepherd Center spinal cord injury patient Jose Mendez of Fayetteville, N.C., tries out the new
Lokomat® Nanos. The device was designed to make robotic locomotor training more affordable for a
broader group of rehabilitation centers. Shepherd Center is the first facility in the United States to get
the device and is working with Hocoma on its implementation in clinical practice.
Photo Courtesy of Accord Services
Jonathan Spanier
Ms. Betty Schaffer
Jack V. Thomas
Mr. and Mrs. Harry McGinn, Jr.
Marjorie Thompson
Mrs. Meredith M. Durrett
Robert Titsworth
Mrs. Sarah B. Schloss
Ruth Cox Turner
Mr. Patrick M. Farley
Billy Jack Voyles
Ms. Dana Shepherd
Maria Shepherd
Winter 2011 4 5
Non-Proﬁt Org.
U.S. Postage
PAID
Atlanta, GA
Permit No. 1703
Address Service Requested
magazine
Read the e at:
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mn
spinalcolu
Photo by Donn Jones
Shepherd Center’s Beyond Therapy® Opens in Tennessee
To meet growing consumer interest in
innovative rehabilitation therapies, Shepherd
Center has expanded Beyond Therapy® to a
new satellite location in Franklin, Tenn., just
south of Nashville.
The facility, formerly the WareCentre,
opened in September 2010 and celebrated
with an open house event on Oct. 28 (see
story on page 27). The 10,000-square-foot
facility was donated to Shepherd Center by
former patient Scot Ware and his wife Sharon
in 2010. It is the first satellite clinic to be
launched by Shepherd.
Beyond Therapy is an intense, activitybased program that promotes improved
health and wellness, as well as neurological
recovery, for people with spinal cord injury,
brain injury and other neuromuscular
disorders. Shepherd Center started Beyond
Therapy in Atlanta in 2005. It has served more
than 150 people from 20 states and four
foreign countries. Beyond Therapy has been
so successful that it now has a one-year
waiting list.
The Beyond Therapy facility in Tennessee,
which serves both adult and pediatric patients:
• Offers a state-of-the-art program –
complete with an extensive suite of high-tech
therapeutic equipment – that focuses on
neuromuscular recovery, as well as health
and wellness across the lifespan;
• Promotes continuous rehabilitation benefits
that extend beyond the scope of traditional
healthcare initiatives;
• Extends beyond the range of acute care
and predetermined functional goals and
continues the rehabilitation agenda by
administering aggressive treatment through
clinical research and experimental protocols
to achieve a higher level of individual
functionality.
For more information on Beyond Therapy®,
visit www.beyond-therapy.org.
— Jane M. Sanders
Jessie Poucher of Arrington, Tenn., participates in locomotor training on the robotic Lokomat®
device at Beyond Therapy in Franklin, Tenn. Therapy manager Scott Hawes oversees his therapy.

SpinalColumn - Shepherd Center

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