Shepherd Center Names New Director for Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation Program

Jennifer Douglas

Jennifer Douglas, MS, CCC/SLP, is the new leader of Shepherd Center’s nationally recognized Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) Rehabilitation Program. As the new program director, Douglas combines her 26 years of clinical experience as a speech therapist with leadership expertise to lead the program as it continues to provide care for patients with the most medically complex injuries and illnesses. 

“The care and expertise our teams provide to our patients and their caregivers is compassionate, innovative, and thoughtful. I am already inspired by them daily and am beyond honored to have the privilege to help support and lead the future of the Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation Program at Shepherd Center,” Douglas said. 

Douglas started her career at Shepherd as a speech therapist and then became the speech therapy manager. Most recently, she was the SCI Inpatient Therapy Program manager for six years. She has also participated in several leadership trainings at Shepherd Center and with the Georgia Hospital Association. Additionally, when Shepherd Center changed its electronic health records system to a new platform, she served as the clinical operational owner for the project, overseeing the planning, implementation, and optimization of the new platform, which affected thousands of patients and staff. 

“Jennifer has proven experience in helping ensure that patients at Shepherd Center achieve outcomes that often exceed national averages, including returning to their communities after rehabilitation,” said the previous SCI Program Director, Shari McDowell, PT, DPT, FASIA, FACHE, who is now the hospital’s chief operating officer. “With her expertise in program development and implementation, as well as clinical experience, she is well-positioned to lead us into the future as we continue to care for hundreds of patients and families who are navigating life with spinal cord injuries.” 

Douglas received her bachelor’s degree from Florida State University, and her master’s degree from the University of Montevallo. She started her career with Baptist Health System before joining the Shepherd team in 2001. Outside of work, she loves to spend time with her family and friends going camping, hiking, or making trips back home to the panhandle of Florida for some relaxing beach time.