Shepherd Center Welcomes Russell Gore, M.D., to Medical Staff

For Russell Gore, M.D., becoming part of the clinical team at Shepherd Center represents the convergence of many parts of his life – a military career, experience as a neurologist and a love of technology.

Dr. Gore received a bachelor’s degree in biomedical engineering from Vanderbilt University, after which he earned his medical degree from Emory University School of Medicine. After an internship at Emory, Dr. Gore served as a flight surgeon in the United States Air Force for eight years. It was in this role that he developed his interest in neurotrauma.

“During my time as a flight surgeon, I cared for many patients who had experienced some kind of neurotrauma, such as brain injury or spinal cord injury,” Dr. Gore says. “I know those experiences will help shape my work with patients at Shepherd Center. “

As director of vestibular neurology at Shepherd Center, Dr. Gore will care for patients who have dizziness and balance challenges resulting from spinal cord or brain injury.

“Dr. Gore is a tremendous addition to our clinical medical staff,” says Donald Peck Leslie, M.D., medical director at Shepherd Center. “He brings new skills and a level of interest and enthusiasm that will be extremely beneficial to Shepherd patients.”

Dr. Gore’s experience in vestibular neurology began while he was caring for pilots in the Air Force. Like pilots, people who have sustained a spinal cord or brain injury often have challenges with dizziness and balance, which is controlled by the vestibular system.

“The vestibular system controls how we orient ourselves in space,” Dr. Gore says. “In patients who have sustained a brain or spinal cord injury, it is particularly important to assess issues with dizziness and balance because they can affect patients as they learn and relearn certain skills, such as making transfers, sitting up or walking.”

In addition to his responsibilities as director of vestibular neurology, Dr. Gore also will treat patients in Shepherd Center’s SHARE Military Initiative, a comprehensive rehabilitation program that focuses on assessment and treatment for service men and women who have sustained a mild to moderate traumatic brain injury and PTSD from combat in post-9/11 conflicts.

“I am honored to be working with the SHARE Military Initiative,” Dr. Gore says. “It’s really an ideal match for my experience. I look forward to working with patients who have mild, yet complex, brain injuries so we can help them best transition back to active duty or civilian life.”

With his background in engineering, Dr. Gore also is interested in the use of assistive technologies that help improve the lives of patients at Shepherd Center.

“I love to study how humans interface with technology and how to best use technology to enhance human performance,” Dr. Gore says. “Many of the same methods and technologies that are useful in the rehabilitation of neurotrauma patients, such as eye-tracking and exoskeletons, are developed first by the military and then adapted in healthcare.”

Dr. Gore is an adjunct associate professor at the Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering at Georgia Tech and Emory University, as well as a widely published researcher. While his new position at Shepherd Center will truly allow him to leverage his interests and skills in neurotrauma and technology, there’s one other thing about Shepherd Center that motivates Dr. Gore – the culture.

“When I was in the military, there was a sense that everyone was working really hard and that we’re all part of something bigger,” Dr. Gore says. “I feel that at Shepherd Center, too. “

Written by Kerry Ludlam