Adolescent Patients Hit the Stage for Project Rollway

When Braxton Davis kicked off this year’s Project Rollway, he strutted onto the stage wearing an astronaut helmet. More than a silly prop, the helmet was a nod to this year’s theme, On a Mission, which incorporated space-themed decorations while tying in with the hospital-wide theme for Shepherd Center’s 50th anniversary. 

Another 50th anniversary celebration took place on the runway when model Jackson Drum, a spinal cord injury patient, presented special edition Nike Air Force 1s to hospital cofounder Alana Shepherd and chief executive officer Jamie Shepherd. The customized sneakers, which feature bold Shepherd gold and blue, were designed by the adolescent program to mark the hospital’s 50th anniversary. 

This year’s event also marked the end of an era, with event co-chair Ashley Kim, MPT, ATC, announcing that the evening would be her last time organizing the event after eight years. 

“My favorite part is the fact that it's a huge collaborative effort, especially on the day of,” says Kim, who worked in the Adolescent Spinal Cord Injury Day Program for nearly 18 years. “It's a shared activity between brain injury and spinal cord injury. So it brings the programs together, which means it brings the staff together, it brings the patients together.” 

Kim has moved into an outpatient therapy role, but Project Rollway will still be in good hands as Cathi Dugger, PT, DPT, a therapy manager in the Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation Program, plans to lead the charge next year. Dugger led the first Project Rollway in 2014, and has continued to be an integral part of the Adolescent Committee. 

For information on how to support Project Rollway or other adolescent programs, you can visit foundation.shepherd.org. And save the date for next year’s Project Rollway on June 26, 2026. 

Thank You!

Thank you to our models, their families and friends, Shepherd Center staff, and everyone who made this event possible! And a special thank you to Ashley Kim, for eight years of leading Project Rollway, as well as all our event attendees and sponsors. 

Donors 
Andee’s Army 
Gas South 
Atlanta Sound and Lighting 
Haug Barron Law Group 

Clothing Partners 
Elk Head Clothing 
London Trading Company 
Patagonia 
Onward Reserve 
Megan Huntz 

DJ 
Jewels Beats 

Graphic Designer 
Eight Ball Creative by Austin Jones 

Photographers 
Laura Barnard 
Drew Oswald 

Hair & Makeup Specialists 
Sam Henry 
Morgan Hughes 
Kaitlyn Radler 
Dani Maslaney 
Alyssa Attride 
Tati Hayton 
Christel Irick 
Kristia Stokes 

Written by Erin Kenney