Marking 50 Years of Milestones

At Shepherd Center, milestones are a big deal. When patients reach a goal in recovery, it’s celebrated. When they’re preparing to return home after rehabilitation, they gather with their care team, friends, family, and other patients to commemorate how far they’ve come. It only makes sense that Shepherd Center’s enthusiasm for celebrating achievements extends beyond patient floors. 

Shepherd Center’s anniversary has been celebrated since the early days — in fact, what’s now Spinal Column magazine evolved from a newsletter first sent out in August 1976, commemorating Shepherd’s first year of serving patients. Over time, the anniversary, and eventually, “Anniversary Week,” have expanded to celebrate patients, staff, and the community overall. And for this year’s major milestone, celebrations were extra special. 

At the center-wide employee luncheon on Aug. 18, staff members enjoyed a barbecue lunch and received some 50th anniversary swag. Lunches at Peachtree Park, home of the SHARE Military Initiative and the Complex Concussion Clinic, as well as at Shepherd Pathways, ensured all employees got to celebrate the anniversary. 

Additionally, anniversary week is a time to celebrate employee tenure — the average length of service at Shepherd is 8.4 years, and each August, those celebrating anniversaries in increments of five are invited to the milestone luncheon. This year, 237 employees celebrated a major anniversary, with 14 celebrating 35 years of service or more. 

“I didn’t plan to be at Shepherd for 25 years. It’s like a good friendship or marriage — you just stay in it,” says attendee, Dawn Pennington, a data quality analyst on the patient financial services team. “I was very happy to have that opportunity to see colleagues [celebrating] their 5-year anniversary and those [celebrating] their 25-year anniversary like me.” 

This year’s anniversary week also brought some extra festivities, including burying Shepherd Center’s 50th anniversary time capsule. At a short ceremony, hospital co-founder Alana Shepherd spoke about the hospital’s history and invited attendees to imagine what the next 50 years will bring. Jamie Shepherd, MBA, MHA, FACHE, Shepherd Center’s president and chief executive officer, also spoke about objects included in the capsule and how future Shepherd patients and employees may react to them. 

Another standout event from anniversary week was the 50th anniversary party at the Atlanta History Center. With special guests like Georgia Governor and First Lady Brian and Marty Kemp, as well as other state leaders, former patients, Shepherd staff who’ve worked at the hospital for over 35 years, and board members, the party showcased Shepherd’s widespread impact and influence on the state of Georgia and the city of Atlanta. 

The city and state, along with Fulton County, also acknowledged Shepherd Center on formal recognition days throughout the year. Other influential Georgia healthcare facilities, businesses, and organizations joined in on the celebration, sharing anniversary well-wishes on social media. Dignitaries, including Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens and Georgia Sen. Raphael Warnock, also sent messages of congratulations. 

Even as Shepherd Center closes the chapter on its 50th year, celebrating milestones will continue — cheering on patients at events like Project Rollway, gathering in therapy gyms for patient graduations, sharing a slice of cake for employee “workiversaries,” and busting out dance moves at The Legendary Party. With resilient patients, unwavering staff, and a steadfast community, there’s never a shortage of milestones to celebrate.

Written by Erin Kenney