Shepherd Center receives $50 million from Arthur Blank Foundation for major expansion

ATLANTA — One of the nation’s top rehabilitation centers here in Atlanta will soon undergo a massive expansion.

Shepherd Center announced Wednesday that it received a $50 million capital grant from The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation to construct a new family housing building.

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The building will add 160 housing units, which doubles the center’s family housing capacity. Construction on the building at 1860 Peachtree Road is expected to begin in the fall.

“Arthur has always believed in the importance of our family-centered approach to rehabilitative care,” said Alana Shepherd, Shepherd Center co-founder and chairman of the board. “With The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation’s generous support of our programs like recreation therapy and the SHARE Military Initiative, he has allowed countless patients to pursue what is possible. With this investment in our family housing program, Shepherd can help restore the lives of even more who seek our care from around the world.”

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The Shepherd Center in Atlanta specializes in treating and rehabilitating patients with brain, spinal cord and other neurological injuries. It is ranked as a top 10 rehabilitation center in the United States.

The center currently provides up to 30 days of housing for families of new patients who live too far away from the center. Officials say most patients stay at the center for 60 days and 50% of patients come from outside the state of Georgia.

The Shepherd Center says the new grant from the Blank Foundation will allow for families in need to stay at the center during their loved one’s entire rehabilitation.

“My family and I are honored to support Shepherd Center and their promise to care for the whole family in times of such difficulty,” Blank said. “I’m filled with deep respect and pride that Alana and her team have remained an organization that is focused on family. Having seen the benefits firsthand of loved ones working alongside patients during recovery, I know it is a clinical imperative. It is my hope this new facility will ease their burdens in some small way so they can focus on helping their loved ones heal.”

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