The changes were part of the larger renovation of the hospital's first floor. For the MS Institute, the first phase concluded in December 2025 with the opening of 26 new MS clinic rooms. Then, this year, at the end of July, the Eula C. and Andrew C. Carlos Multiple Sclerosis Rehabilitation and Wellness Program moved from the plaza level of the Woodruff Family Residence Center to the first floor of the main hospital, right behind centralized check-in. And finally, in August, 16 more clinic rooms opened on the opposite side of the hallway from the initial 26. 

If that sounds like a lot of changes in a short period of time, it is. The bottom line is that the entire MS Clinic is now housed in one centralized space.

Rich LaFramboise has been a patient at the clinic for just three months. He appreciates that all the services are close together, demanding less time and energy to access.

“It makes it so convenient and less stressful,” he says.

And for staff, creating a smoother experience for patients is a huge payoff. Case manager Whitney Seegars, MBA, CCM, notes that the patient experience includes getting to and from the clinic.

“The majority of our population rides Marta mobility, or they take Uber or Lyft. So, it's convenient that we're right at the front door,” she explains. “We're kind of centralized to everything else. Our patients also spend a lot of time in radiology, a lot of time in urology. And then of course, they spend a lot of time in our clinic with our physicians. So, it's great that we're all right here together now.”

Seegars also appreciates being close to all her teammates.

“I'm right here with the providers. If something needs to be signed right away, needs to be faxed over right away, I'm right here with them now, she says. “I've been able to collaborate a little bit more with my colleagues. I see more case managers on a day-to-day basis.”

That collaboration is something Rebecca Duguid, PT, DPT, program manager for the MS Institute, is especially excited about.

“For me, a huge part of this is that the team is all together. The rehab team, the wellness team, all the nurses, the medical providers, the managers, the case managers, we're all together and can just have a more collaborative, organic relationship.”

With the new, private exam rooms, patients coming for infusions can get comfortable, staying in one room for their pre-infusion appointments and infusions.

“That has made a tremendous difference in patient care,” says clinic nurse Rosa Borja Martinez, ADN, RN. “They're like, ‘Yay, I just get to stay in one spot for the few hours that I'm here.’ … I feel like it gives them a better experience that way.”

MS Rehab and Wellness physical therapist Ally Brainard, PT, DPT, says strong communication throughout the process was key to a smooth transition and brought the team closer.

“Pretty much every other week, we'd have a staff meeting talking about what to expect. And so we were all on the same page. I also feel like it was a bonding experience for all of us as coworkers. Doing it together was really fun.”

And she sees many benefits to being in the new space for both patients and staff.

“For [MS Rehabilitation and Wellness] patients, just being on the first floor has … really streamlined the process for them of getting here, checking in, it's the same as they do for their doctor's appointments,” she says. “Being in the main building in the hospital … we feel more part of Shepherd Center as a whole, which is really nice. And then also having the nurses and the doctors and all the APPs (advanced practice providers) nearby has been awesome. I feel like we've all gotten to know each other more. We can reach out to each other for questions … so it can be even more collaborative than it already was. And then we have a nice and shiny space … [with] all the best equipment, which makes serving our patients really great.”

Rich, who recently completed the MS Institute’s Integrated Therapy Program, can vouch for the results.

“The rehab/therapy area is so clean, bright, and welcoming. It’s such a pleasure to go there for therapy. The entire team is very professional and friendly.  They make you feel like each appointment is a visit with an old friend.”

Written by Ruth Underwood

Neurologist Meena R. Kannan, M.D., MPH, recently joined the Andrew C. Carlos Multiple Sclerosis Institute at Shepherd Center.

Dr. Kannan earned her medical degree and her Master of Public Health from the University of Alabama at Birmingham, followed by a residency in neurology at Emory University School of Medicine, and a fellowship in multiple sclerosis and neuroimmunology at Oregon Health & Science University. She is board-certified in neurology by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology.

“My approach to patient-centered care is grounded in the belief that the best outcomes come from combining early diagnosis, evidence-based treatment, and patient empowerment,” said Dr. Kannan. “During residency, I had the opportunity to rotate through the MS Institute, and it left a lasting impression on me. What I remember most was the truly interdisciplinary approach to patient care. I saw neurologists, rehabilitation physicians, therapists, psychologists, nurses, and social workers working seamlessly together toward common goals for each patient rather than functioning in separate silos. Shepherd Center offers a unique opportunity to practice medicine in a setting that aligns closely with my values.”

Jacqueline Rosenthal, M.D., medical director of the Andrew C. Carlos Multiple Sclerosis Institute at Shepherd Center, echoed Dr. Kannan’s sentiments on collaboration and patient-centered care.

“Dr. Kannan brings a remarkable breadth of experience in the care of individuals living with multiple sclerosis, along with a deeply collaborative, patient-centered approach,” she says. “Her commitment to partnering with patients and working across disciplines aligns seamlessly with the values of our program. We are excited to welcome Dr. Kannan to the team and are confident she will make a meaningful impact on our patients and our community.”

Dr. Kannan is originally from Mobile, Alabama. When she’s not at work, she enjoys spending time with friends and family, including her dogs, Baron and Charlie, backpacking, volunteering with the Appalachian Trail Conservancy to help maintain trails, and attending concerts.

Neurologist Cole Crowson, M.D., recently joined the staff of the Andrew C. Carlos Multiple Sclerosis Institute at Shepherd Center.

A graduate of Wake Forest University, Dr. Crowson earned his medical degree from the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine, followed by a residency in neurology at the University of Virginia Medical Center, and a fellowship in multiple sclerosis and neuroimmunology at Oregon Health Science University. He is board-certified in neurology by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology.

“Shepherd Center has a long-standing commitment to excellence in providing comprehensive, compassionate care with state-of-the-art technology for our patients' benefit,” said Dr. Crowson. “I am honored to have the opportunity to work with the incredible teams here who use compassion, humor, and plenty of elbow grease to improve lives.”

“We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Crowson to our team,” said Jacqueline Rosenthal, M.D., medical director of the Andrew C. Carlos Multiple Sclerosis Institute at Shepherd Center. “His compassionate approach and collaborative personality make him a valuable addition. He is dedicated to truly hearing patients’ experiences and staying at the forefront of advances in treatment, which reflects the high standard of care we strive to provide.”

When he’s not at work, Dr. Crowson enjoys dragging friends to concerts, attempting Gordon Ramsay recipes, being a proud uncle to his niece and nephews, entertaining his Greyhound, and getting as much mountain air as possible.

March is Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Awareness Month, a time to promote understanding of the chronic neurological condition that impacts one million diagnosed Americans and their families, friends, and care partners. Thanks to the efforts of researchers at Shepherd Center and around the globe, outcomes for people with MS have never been better, and the prognosis for someone diagnosed with MS today looks completely different than it would have 20, 15, or even 10 years ago.

To learn more about the research driving improvements in MS care, we caught up with Brad Willingham, Ph.D., director of the Multiple Sclerosis Research Program at Shepherd Center.

First, can you tell me about MS research at Shepherd? How are we different from other institutions conducting MS research?

That's exactly why I'm here at Shepherd: because we are very different. And it’s why I'm so honored to be a part of this organization and working to advance our mission through research.

Although I started my career here as a clinician at Shepherd Center, my scientific training is in neuromuscular physiology . So, a lot of my work has been focused in basic science. I spent almost five years at NIH [National Institutes of Health] doing deeply cellular-level work. It was fun. The questions were interesting. The technology was cool, but I wanted to be focusing more on work that has an immediate impact on patients.

At Shepherd, our work must be immediately relevant to those we serve and the clinicians who provide their care. Meaningful research is a mandate. Every experiment, every outcome is someone's life. And we get to see the impact we are making through our research in real time.

Additionally, Shepherd just has a different culture. Our clinicians are curious, they're motivated, they're looking to push the status quo, they're open-minded, and they're always questioning how to advance things. This creates an environment where researchers are welcome in the clinical spaces. They consider us part of the team. They're excited to share their needs and problems and questions with us.

How do you ensure research is addressing patient needs?

We actually start with the patients and with the clinicians, and we meet with them. We meet with them on a quarterly basis, sometimes more frequently, in what we call knowledge translation meetings. And we ask, ‘What are your needs? What are your questions? What are your barriers?’ And then from that, we work backwards.

We design scientific research studies to address a knowledge gap, or create and innovate a tool or solution, or create a way to overcome barriers to access and care. It's wonderful because we do get research that's directly relevant to the real world. It's immediately tailored and catered towards the needs of the patients and clinicians.

Because we start with the clinicians and patients, we do end up with quite a wide range of studies. We have studies in employment, studies in fatigue management, and studies on technology development, developing tools to make care more accessible.

We also have studies that are directly integrated into care, and so we're empowering clinicians to use the data they collect as part of their routine job to extract meaning from that, extract insights from that, to help refine their care, and explore what care may be most effective for different folks living with MS.

Does your team conduct any research looking at potential cures for MS?

Yes. We are very active in research that moves the field toward better treatments and, ultimately, a cure for MS. 

We have a fantastic clinical trials team here, led by Issi Clesson, RN, MSCN, CCRP, Director of Clinical Trials. We partner with pharmaceutical industry collaborators to evaluate the most cutting-edge disease-modifying therapies aimed at slowing or preventing MS progression as early as possible.

In the wider medical community, we've come a long way with disease-modifying therapies for MS. We have made tremendous advancements in preventing relapses and preventing disease progression with pharmacologic treatments, but that's just part of the story.

When someone has MS, the initial damage from the disease cascades throughout the body. It causes mobility impairments and fatigue and cognitive disruptions, bowel and bladder dysfunction, all of these things that impact your daily life. It's important that we not solely focus on a cure, but also help those who have already been impacted by MS to sustain their function, get back to doing the things they love, and mitigate the severity of disability progression.

You mentioned how far MS research has progressed in terms of pharmacology. What are some other advancements we’re seeing now? 

The research we’re working on now — which is really paradigm-shifting — is addressing one of the most long-standing and pressing challenges in MS care: the heterogeneity, or variability, we see in our patients. No two folks living with MS are living the same experience. 

People with MS most commonly report impairments in mobility and fatigue as their most common and most impactful, debilitating symptoms. But the reason why someone may have challenges with mobility or walking, or the reason someone may feel fatigued, is different from person to person. So, what we’re doing now is leveraging our new infrastructure in the Human Performance Lab, that allows us to systematically evaluate different physiological systems at the same time. This allows us to determine what is causing mobility impairment or fatigue from patient to patient. Because if we know that, we can apply a very targeted treatment. A one-size-fits-all approach is not going to work. By treating the symptom, you may not be addressing its underlying cause.

One of our current studies is the PRISM study (Precision Rehabilitation through Integrated System Modeling). We use the Human Performance Lab to systematically evaluate the body, from brain activity, to biomechanical movement, to muscle activation, to metabolism and cardiopulmonary function. We can evaluate all of these systems at the same time, during the exact same conditions, to tease out the underlying cause of what a patient is experiencing. Modern pharmacology achieves precision by targeting specific biological pathways in the body. Our goal is to bring that same level of precision to rehabilitation by identifying the underlying physiological processes that cause symptoms and designing therapies that address them directly.

A lot of things are coming together to make this possible. Almost daily, we hear of some new technology being invented. But it’s not just for convenience, it’s not just for entertainment anymore. With advancements in computing, imaging, sensors, neurophysiologic measurement systems, and AI, we can now see further than ever before. And we now have technology to make all these precise measurements, and it’s fast enough, affordable enough, and mobile enough to use in a clinical research lab .

And so, on the clinical side, this precision rehab approach, this PRISM approach, is going to allow more targeted therapies, with the goal of improving outcomes for patients in a more personalized, efficient, and cost-effective way. On the research side, it's also going to accelerate scientific discovery because we can capture more meaningful data that are more sensitive to changes in health and function. This can make clinical studies more efficient and help promising therapies move more quickly from research into real-world care for the people who need them most.

Responses have been edited for length and clarity.

Interview by Erin Kenney

Incredibly, the MS Clinic team moved to the new space without missing a beat.

“We didn't close,” says Rebecca Duguid, PT, DPT, program manager for the MS Institute. “We treated patients the whole time.”

That meant getting used to new processes and systems while keeping the clinic running.

Wanda Bagley, RN, BSN, MSCN, MS infusion coordinator, says the transition was smooth.

“Everybody just jumped on board and started moving and setting up things and just trying to get stuff as organized as possible. And the next day we had our grand opening, so to speak, and just hit the ground running.”

The function of the new space is just as appealing as the aesthetic form. Here are some of the highlights:

Universal-design rooms

There are 26 universal-design rooms for exams or infusions, each outfitted with a lie-flat chair and a flat-screen TV for patients, as well as a point-of-service computer for the care team. The lighting can also be adjusted based on patient preference.

“I think the privacy of the rooms is a big win,” says Duguid. “And the universal infusion chairs that we have now, which patients can sit in, sleep in — they're very comfortable.”

Before the move, infusions, which can take anywhere from two to six hours, took place in an open space. The new individual rooms offer more space, comfort, and privacy. While some patients miss the camaraderie of a community space, now, they can bring visitors to sit with them during their infusion appointments, something that has rarely been possible since the COVID pandemic.

And the new reclining chairs have been a big hit with patients.

“We've had the recliners before, but these are chef's kiss,” says Bagley. “It's all electronic, so it can go completely flat like a bed … There's a zero-gravity function on the chair, which is just phenomenal because it takes all the pressure off of your lower back. There's a little fold-over table so patients can eat, or if they want to work, they have a space, and we also have a separate table that we can work on.”

Centralized nursing station and call light system

The rooms surround a central nursing station. Before, infusion nurses were in a separate area; now, all the nurses work in one large space, fostering communication and collaboration.

“With all of us sharing a nurses station space, there's always somebody around to be able to lend a hand, so that's helpful,” says Bagley.

Plus, a new call-light system allows patients and staff to alert one another if they need assistance. “We make heavy use of the call light system — whenever a patient or a staff member needs help. Before, I would have to run out to find somebody,” Bagley explains. “Now, we have this option, and I can have somebody come to me.”

Integrated equipment

New Hoyer lifts can charge at any point along the ceiling track, allowing staff to safely move patients anywhere in the clinic and from their wheelchairs to the new infusion chairs.

A 25-foot flooring inlay allows staff to assess patients’ gait as part of the standardized Multiple Sclerosis Functional Composite, an aesthetically pleasing combination of form and function.

Streamlined appointments with patient status updates

A digital status board by the nurses’ station provides real-time updates on scheduled appointments as they progress, and nurses can alert providers electronically when a patient is ready to see them.

Creature comforts

In addition to the reclining chairs and adjustable lighting, the team paid attention to other details that increase patient comfort.

There’s a space equipped with a coffee maker, refrigerator, and microwave, so patients who have long infusion appointments can chill or warm up a meal.

“We kept all of our amenities like our heated blankets and the snacks that we offer to the patients,” says Bagley.

Cabinets stocked with necessary supplies are in each room, so patient care supplies are at the team’s fingertips.

Robin Harris, who has been a patient at the MS Clinic for several years, says she likes the new space and the care she receives there.

“I really like the way that is set up because you're in your own little private room. And it's nice … It's more spacious, which is perfect. And as far as the care, the care is still there. I mean, the nurses come around and they're checking on you. And it's like you're never alone — someone is always right there if you need them.”

Written by Ruth Underwood

Her father, an Iowa veterinarian, moved his family to Atlanta when she was 13. She was in high school when she met Atlanta native Harold Shepherd. They married in 1949. 

The same year, Harold, the youngest of six children, opened Shepherd Construction Co. with two brothers. They built thousands of miles of highways and streets, and at one time managed 15 asphalt plants across Georgia and the Carolinas. James and his twin sister, Dana, were born to Alana and Harold in 1951; their brother, Tommy, five years later. 

The telephone call that changed everything came on Oct. 21, 1973, a Sunday morning. James was traveling the world with friends after graduating from the University of Georgia. That morning, his friends called to tell the Shepherds that a wave had slammed James into the ocean floor while he was body surfing in Brazil. He was in critical condition, with a broken neck and pneumonia. 

Harold and Alana rushed to Brazil, where they stayed for five weeks. Once they got James back to Atlanta, he spent three months at Piedmont Hospital. They kept him alive, but no institution in the Southeast could provide the medical care and rehabilitative therapy he needed for recovery. And so, still on a ventilator, his parents took him to Craig Hospital in Denver for five months. As a result of the specialized care James received, his hard work, and his family’s support, James walked out with only a leg brace and a crutch. 

Family discussions about the need to provide treatment closer to home began with, “Why doesn’t somebody . . . ?” but soon turned to, “How can we . . . ?” The family started to raise money and build a team. Harold’s family and business connections were vital to the effort. “Without those connections and his relationships, Shepherd Center might not be here,” Jamie Shepherd says. 

First on the to-do list was finding a medical director. The Shepherds immediately approached David Apple, M.D., a West Virginia native who was raised in Kentucky. While in medical school at the University of Pennsylvania, he had an internship at Grady Hospital in Atlanta. In the region’s foremost trauma center, he saw the results of devastating falls, car crashes, gunshot wounds, pedestrian accidents, and other serious incidents. 

“It was a very hands-on learning experience,” he says. 

Dr. Apple completed his residency in orthopedic surgery. “You could see a problem, diagnose it, and do something about it,” he says. “I was bewitched by instant gratification.” But he also did a fellowship in rehabilitation orthopedics—a not-so-immediate form of treatment. 

In 1973, he was affiliated with Piedmont Hospital but was involved only peripherally with James Shepherd’s care. Nonetheless, he formed a bond with the family. When the Shepherds approached him about joining their effort, a colleague warned him that pursuing the Shepherd Center dream would ruin his career. Dr. Apple was willing to help make that dream a reality. 

With a co-founding physician on board, the next order of business was finding a home for the hospital. Dr. Apple proved his worth by connecting the Shepherds with West Paces Ferry Hospital, a for-profit facility on the north side of Atlanta that was planning to add a nursing home. Officials agreed to lease the space to Shepherd instead. 

On August 19, 1975—667 days after James’s accident—the first incarnation of Shepherd Center, then called Shepherd Spinal Center, was ready to accept patients. A few days later, Tammy King, MSN, ET, CRRN, CCM, started work there while still in nursing school at Georgia State University. 

“You walked in the door and stepped over people on the floor, because they were doing therapy on a mat in the lobby area,” Tammy recalls. “But, even in the earliest days, the culture and the caring, it was always there. So, when I graduated, I naturally stayed on as a nurse.” She stayed for 47 years, becoming the chief nursing officer in 2008 before retiring in 2023, starting many of Shepherd’s hallmark programs, and earning local and national recognition for nursing leadership.

Within two weeks of opening, the hospital had a waiting list. A second physician, Herndon Murray, M.D., came on quickly. Like his friend Dr. Apple, he had held a fellowship for spinal care in California at Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center. Although the Shepherd family wanted Dr. Murray on staff, the hospital had no money in the budget to hire him. 

“I got over there and Dr. Apple said, ‘We’ll be glad to have you here as the second doctor, but they’re not going to pay you anything,’” Dr. Murray says. “Sometimes we got paid and sometimes we didn’t, but that was secondary at that point.” 

Dr. Murray has interacted with hundreds of patients, many of them adolescents. He treated Woody Morgan after a diving accident in 2008. “The big thing at Shepherd when I was a patient was you don’t say, ‘I can’t,’” Woody says. “It was always, ‘I can’t yet.’” 

Dr. Murray was there to make the “can’t yet” become “can.” 

In 2023, Woody Morgan, M.D., returned to Shepherd as a physician, one of dozens of former patients and family members of patients so inspired that they wanted careers at Shepherd. 

Also in 2023, Dr. Murray, still at Shepherd after 48 years, was recognized by the Georgia Hospital Association as a “physician hero” for tirelessly giving time, talent, and expertise to improve the hospital and the world.

Tapping Connections

As Shepherd Center got up and running, Harold Shepherd continued to run the family construction company with his brothers, but he began using his vast connections to garner support for the hospital. James, who was president of one of the divisions of the construction company, also served as chairman of the hospital’s board. For Alana, the hospital became a full-time mission. 

Both the demand for, and the extent of, Shepherd’s services grew like kudzu. Dr. Apple himself funded the first recreational therapist in 1979. “I felt that if I could get patients back to being involved in what they enjoyed before, we were going to have better outcomes,” he says. “We went swimming. We went boating. I have a farm up in North Georgia and I had them come up there and spend time outdoors. They could see what was possible.” 

By its fourth anniversary, the hospital employed 60 full-time staff members. As Shepherd’s patient population grew, it leased more space. But there was a philosophical gulf between Shepherd and its landlord, Dr. Apple says. “They were interested in profit. We were interested in service,” he says. “That got to be a problem.” 

Shepherd Center had enough patients to justify building a hospital, but raising the money was not easy, Dr. Apple says. “Who is going to donate to a concept? We relied on friends and board members to back the initial fund.” 

Finding affordable land in a good location was another challenge. Shepherd officials discovered the ideal solution in a 4.5-acre parking lot next to Piedmont Hospital. By serendipity or providence, the land was owned by real estate developer Scott Hudgens, who had leaned on Harold for advice when his granddaughter was injured not long after James’s accident. Hudgens agreed to sell it at a deeply discounted price. 

In October 1980, the founders broke ground at 2020 Peachtree Road; and, on May 13, 1982, a handful of patients boarded a van to move to the new building. One person was transported by ambulance. Greg Delay, the first patient to cross the threshold, popped the cork on a bottle of champagne. 

Just seven years after its humble start, Shepherd Center was in a brand-new 93,000-square-foot building with 40 beds and a therapy gym roughly the size of the entire previous space. Soon afterward, an intensive care unit opened, providing highly sought-after care in weaning people from ventilators and starting the rehabilitation process as soon as possible. About the same time, the hospital was designated one of a handful of Spinal Cord Injury Model Systems by the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research, then a program through the U.S. Department of Education. The recognition came with a $246,000 grant. 

Shepherd Center officially added research to its mission in 1985. Expansion of staff and space also allowed the development of some of the programs that differentiate Shepherd, such as peer support, vocational services, and advocacy.

As the reputation of the hospital grew, so did the realization throughout the country of the role it played in filling a gap in the healthcare spectrum. Less than two years after the move, Shepherd was granted approval to build out the shell of the third floor, making space for an additional 40 beds. The expansion made Shepherd Center the country’s largest hospital for the comprehensive treatment of spinal cord injuries in both patient capacity and overall size. 

Five years into the new facility, Shepherd reported that it served patients from 20 states and three countries beyond the United States. Another five years and the hospital doubled in size again with the Billi Marcus Building, named by her husband, the late The Home Depot co-founder Bernie Marcus, in honor of her birthday. Funding for the building was one of many generous donations from the Marcus family and foundation. 

By then, a third generation of Shepherds was on the scene. James’s children, Jamie and Julie, would sometimes come with their father to the hospital. They confess to playing with wheelchairs and even getting caught racing them in the tunnel that connects Shepherd Center to Piedmont Hospital. “There were security cameras,” Jamie says, “and the security guards came and got us.” 

Shepherd Center was no longer only serving people with spinal cord injuries. The Andrew C. Carlos Multiple Sclerosis Institute opened in 1991; a third specialty, acquired brain injury, came on board in 1995. Shepherd was already treating brain injuries in patients who had damage to their spinal cords. Now, the hospital would treat those who had only brain injuries, including strokes. The expansion in services led to a name change, and the Shepherd Spinal Center became Shepherd Center: A Catastrophic Care Hospital. 

In 2008, Shepherd expanded again with the opening of the Jane Woodruff Pavilion and the expanded Billi Marcus Building, providing space for more beds and outpatient and day programs. The Virginia C. Crawford Nutrition Center added a full cafeteria for the first time. 

That same year, Shepherd reinforced its commitment to patients and families when it opened the Irene and George Woodruff Family Residence Center with 84 wheelchair-accessible apartments and community space, which it offered to families at no cost during their loved one's time at Shepherd. This facility and ongoing support from donors helped address three major concerns for families—ensuring their ability to support their loved one emotionally during the rehabilitation process, learning alongside them so they could assist when they return home, and relieving the financial burden of being far from home.

Written by Gayle White

This story is an excerpt from “Mission Moments: 50 Years of Rebuilding Lives One Moment at a Time,” a book celebrating Shepherd’s 50th anniversary in 2025. You can explore the full eBook or purchase a hardcover copy here. 

“My highlight of the week is I get to go to Shepherd on Mondays, and then I do at least two Zoom calls a week with the Wellness Center, so I can exercise from home,” she says.  

Carla is a mom of five and now a grandma. She was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) in 2015, and her husband passed away in 2022. She says the loss of her husband and the way MS has affected her ability to be the grandma she wanted to have been “a lot to work through.” But the MS Rehabilitation and Wellness Program has given her a mental boost.

“The mental has just been like a light switch — night and day,” Carla says. “They're very positive, so they're putting good thoughts in my head, encouraging me. I guess I needed a cheerleader, you know? But it's just been a good mental thing, and of course, a good physical thing too, because I'm moving and doing stuff. And I want to say maybe I have prevented a couple of falls by remembering things they told me.”

And Carla feels the influence of the exercise classes throughout the week.

“My whole week is different, not just those three hours — because I think about things differently now. Of course, it's very hard. I often think, ‘I can't do it. I can't do it.’ But I guess because I've been working with them, it's like, ‘I can do this. So let me try it this way.’ They've given me a nudge in the right direction of — ‘You can. Keep trying. Or, if you can't do it the way you used to, there's another way to do it,” she explains. “And they're letting me know that it's okay to be different. You know, do it in a way that works for my body. And even in the class, we're all different. We all have MS, but it's affected us all differently, so we're all supporting each other.”

Addressing Many Components of Health

Depending on the day of the week, MS Rehabilitation and Wellness Program participants might be at Shepherd Center or online — exercising, socializing, learning something new, or all of the above. Like Carla, their calendars are full of opportunities to focus on wellness with a supportive community of people with MS, neuromyelitis optica (NMO), myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody-associated disease (MOGAD), and transverse myelitis, all conditions that can cause inflammation in the nervous system.

Exercise physiologists Meghan Santander and Sheree Love are intentional about including classes and gatherings that fill a broad cross-section of needs.

That includes exercise classes — both in-person and virtual — that focus on cardio, strength training, and balance and are tailored to different levels of function, including seated classes for people using manual or power wheelchairs. There are aquatic exercise classes in Shepherd’s pool and get-togethers for anything from playing board games to decorating cookies to gathering at a local mall to walk. The gatherings always offer an opportunity to socialize. At the mall, Love shows participants how to navigate, including where to park for easy access to the building, where elevators are located, and good spots to stop and take a break.

The program also includes educational sessions led by experts from Shepherd’s staff on topics that appeal to the MS community, like MS and menopause or MS and travel accessibility.

“Our therapists will partner with us and teach educational classes, and we also partner with the clinic. It's been really cool to see how much everyone gets behind the program and offers resources to the participants,” Santander says.

A recent speaker shared information on MS and Intimacy.

“We’ve tried to offer up information that a lot of people have questions about but sometimes feel weird or embarrassed asking,” Santander explains. “So rather than you feeling like you need to ask, we'll give you a bunch of information and the space to bring it up if you feel comfortable.”

Responding to the Needs of the MS Community

Program offerings are often based on what Love and Santander hear from members.

Case in point: Shades of MS, a group Love started for the Black MS community.

“That came about from our members saying, ‘Hey, I love that you look like me — I don't always see myself in the clinicians that I deal with, and so it would be nice to connect with others,’” Love explains.  “I just gleaned from them. ‘What do you need? Tell me what will be fun for you. Tell me, what are the things that you used to do that maybe you can't do so much? And how do we bring that to your doorstep so that you don't have to go searching for it?’”

The name Shades of MS refers both to the varying hues of participants’ skin and the idea of shade as a kind of protection.

“I wanted to provide a safe space for them to come in and feel like they were protected and covered, and we can talk about the things that are interesting to them. And I can also bring in resources and clinicians to attack those subjects. So, I'm only one component, but if I can tie you into someone else who knows your disease or tie you into someone who can provide resources for you, let's do that,” Love explains.

Although the idea for Shades of MS came from Love’s interaction with MS Rehabilitation and Wellness Program Members, the monthly meetings are open to anyone in the community.

Creating community — and a safe, comfortable, and supportive space is another aspect of the MS Rehabilitation and Wellness Program that Carla fully embraces. On top of the exercise classes she attends, Carla participates in the MS Book Club and a new group called “Winning Wednesdays.”

“We just kind of talk,” Carla explains. “It's a group of other people with MS, and we talk about a specific issue or something we're struggling with — tricks and tips that have helped people. Nothing is formal like a doctor saying what to do. This is just what has worked for other people who are going through the same thing, and we're here to support each other.”

The small group meets virtually on Wednesday mornings, with many members having coffee in hand. Love provides a structure for the discussions. She often coaches participants on breathing techniques and hopes it helps them set their intent for the day. Sometimes, there’s homework — one week, Love asked participants to share their superpowers. Another, she asked them to think about what they’d like to work on for the next seven days. “Not your six-month plan,” Love explained, “But for the next seven days. What would you like to accomplish?”  The meetings are another way the MS Rehabilitation and Wellness Program helps members connect with a supportive community.

“It’s very open,” Love says. “We get to dig a little deeper with the members and find out more like, ‘I didn't know that you used to paint’ or ‘I didn't know…’ and it's another way to build camaraderie. This is a chance to meet other faces and say, ‘Oh, wow, I didn't know our stories were the same.”

That camaraderie is an essential part of the MS Rehabilitation and Wellness Program.

“When it comes to wellness, I think a lot of people focus on just the fitness or just the physical activity of it,” Love explains. “And wellness has so many different components — exercise has always been a passion of mine, but as a mother and woman, I understand that there are days when that's just not it. And maybe I don't need exercise; maybe I need a positive word. Or maybe I need some camaraderie and socializing. Or maybe I just need a mental break. And so, I wanted to make it a well-rounded, robust program where you can get whatever you need for that week.”

For Carla, the MS Rehabilitation and Wellness Program and the care she receives at the Andrew C. Carlos Multiple Sclerosis Institute make for a winning combination.

“I'm not moving. I'll be here. But I've often thought I can't leave Shepherd Center. I can't go anywhere else. I would never want to get treatment at any other facility,” she says.

Getting with the Program

The MS Rehabilitation and Wellness Program is open to the community. Prospective participants just need clearance from their doctor. Potential members get four complimentary sessions with the wellness team, during which exercise physiologists talk through what the program might look like for the individual. Membership is paid in six- or 12-month increments, and scholarships are available. According to Santander, once people join the program, they often stick with it for more than exercise.

“It's giving you that community of people who are going through a journey similar to yours,” Santander explains. “The group is exercising, but also, they are friends and are talking about how their kids or grandkids are or opening up about a struggle they're having, and people offer advice. So, it has a nice family feel to it, which is really sweet because MS can be very isolating. People often feel like their family doesn't truly know what it feels like to deal with it. Sometimes, we (the instructors) don't step in at all — someone will voice something they're struggling with, and the rest of the group immediately meets them with support and advice — it's really cool to watch.”

For more information about the Eula C. and Andrew C. Carlos Multiple Sclerosis Rehabilitation and Wellness Program, email mswellness@shepherd.org.

Written by Ruth Underwood

Kristine began experiencing symptoms at the age of 17 when she was on the tennis team at Berry College. 

“I would do one or two sprints and then start dry heaving. I’d lose my footing doing drills on the stairs,” Kristine says. “It was all chalked up to being dehydrated or needing to be in better shape.” 

The issues progressed during her twenties. 

“I started noticing severe fatigue, tingling in my lip, my left leg was numb, and I was losing my voice, which we later discovered is due to a paralyzed vocal cord,” she recalls. “When I started forgetting things, it prompted me to see a neurologist.” 

While several of Kristine’s clinical tests came back abnormal, there was no definitive proof that pointed to MS at the time. In 2012, she decided to visit Ben Thrower, M.D., at the Andrew C. Carlos Multiple Sclerosis Institute at Shepherd Center. 

“I’ll never forget my first appointment with Dr. Thrower,” Kristine says. “I cried, not because I was told I had MS, but because it was a relief that someone believed me and I finally had a diagnosis. I’ve been going to Shepherd ever since.” 

Unfortunately, Kristine’s symptoms forced her to end her dream career in communications. 

“[My career] was gone. And so was my identity. My relevance. I had to stop work for the reasons most people living with MS do: fatigue and cognitive issues,” Kristine explains. “MS is a disease that constantly takes, but it also gives in a way that is sometimes hard to explain and identify in the moment.” 

Since her diagnosis, Kristine has found renewed purpose in activism on behalf of the MS community. 

Kristine’s technical and healthcare communications background prepared her to understand complicated research journals about MS. In the beginning, this helped her research and understand her own disease, but now she’s using her skills to shape MS research. 

“More and more, organizations are seeing the value in having patients have some sort of input in helping in the research process,” she says. “Shepherd's great because they have lots of opportunities for different studies.” 

For more than a year, Kristine has volunteered at RealTalk MS, the most listened-to podcast in the world for people affected by MS. The podcast discusses everything from the latest research to daily life with the disease. It is hosted by Jon Strum, whose wife passed away in 2020 after her battle with MS. 

“Volunteering for the podcast has been a great opportunity,” Kristine says. “Jon has a view from a caregiver perspective, and I have a view of somebody living with MS. We complement each other very well.” 

She has participated in advocacy work with the National MS Society at the state and federal levels, including giving testimony for legislative healthcare issues. Kristine has also come to love helping people with another type of advocacy: self-advocacy. 

“I don’t give medical advice — I leave that to people who work at places like Shepherd Center,” Kristine explains. “I listen to people who are newly diagnosed and offer a plan and options for the next steps. I’m honored that they trust me at such a vulnerable time.” 

While reflecting on helping others during their most vulnerable moments, Kristine remembered what it meant to her when she first met the team at Shepherd. 

“Shepherd saved my life in many ways. It wasn't just my diagnosis,” Kristine says. “It was also helping me see my strength to navigate everything that has happened to me. I wouldn't have morphed into the person I am today if it wasn't for them.” 

She adds, “MS took from me, but I’ve also received so many gifts. Like the people I’ve met and the connections I’ve made that wouldn’t have happened otherwise. I can help people and serve.” 

By Damjana Alverson

The Complexity of MS

MS is notoriously complex, affecting each individual differently. Dr. Rosenthal describes the disease's impact:

"It affects the brain but also the entire central nervous system — the brain, the spinal cord, or the optic nerves. Anywhere along that pathway is where MS can affect you as a patient."

Individual Journeys

Everyone's journey with MS is unique, and Dr. Rosenthal stresses the importance of an individualized approach:

"It affects everyone differently. People are terrified because they assume the worst. They think, ‘I’ll need a wheelchair, or I can't carry out these plans I had, or my life is over.’ I encourage patients to know that life is not over. It may look different moving forward, but it's far from over. Life is still entirely possible. Just because they're diagnosed with MS doesn't mean they have to be fully characterized by the diagnosis."

Activity and Engagement

Physical and community engagement are critical aspects of managing MS. Dr. Rosenthal advises her patients to stay active:

"Remaining physically active is crucial, and while that may look a little different compared to someone who doesn't have MS based on whether there are disabilities or not, staying active is staying healthy. And we want people with MS to stay involved in the community. Being actively engaged with other people is really important."

Mental Health Considerations

An MS diagnosis can have significant mental health implications. Dr. Rosenthal elaborates:

"I encourage my patients to avoid social isolation and pay more attention to their mood and mental health because dealing with certain adjustments of the MS diagnosis can be a lot to deal with.”

Navigating Healthcare

Creating a supportive healthcare environment is critical. Dr. Rosenthal highlights:

"Find a healthcare team that you gel with because it will be a lifelong journey. Make sure you can ask all your questions and express your concerns. You want to feel like you're being listened to and respected and that you can understand how the disease impacts you as a patient."

Recognizing Symptoms

Dr. Rosenthal emphasizes the importance of recognizing early symptoms and seeking medical attention:

"A lot of people are diagnosed late. We want to shorten the window between disease onset and diagnosis as best we can. So, any unexplainable neurologic symptoms need to be thoroughly examined. Vision changes and loss of function in an arm or leg where it's not working well, weak, or not coordinating well, are often the first symptoms."

The Future of MS Treatment

Dr. Rosenthal remains optimistic about advances in the treatment of MS:

“There's no cure for MS at this time. MS is so complicated in terms of what leads to disease manifestation. There are many different things [researchers are looking into] that could lead to new treatment options, and it does look promising.”

Viral Links to MS

Recent research has focused on the Epstein-Barr virus's role in MS. Dr. Rosenthal discusses this emerging field:

“Researchers are looking at the role Epstein-Barr plays in the development of MS and the role it plays in the chronic manifestations of MS. From a prevention standpoint, they are investigating whether preventing people from getting that virus, could help prevent a subset of people from ever developing MS.”

Interview by Dominique McPhearson

Twelve years ago, at 28, when Iliana was living and working in Connecticut, she felt a pain in her neck that wouldn’t go away. Then, she noticed a tingling feeling in her hands. Her doctor suspected a pinched nerve and scheduled an MRI, but while Iliana waited for the results, her left arm began to feel heavy. Her mom, who came for a visit and to check on her, noticed Iliana’s leg was dragging when she walked.

“It happened really fast,” Iliana recalls. “Within a week, I was unable to move the left side of my body.”

Iliana was diagnosed with neuromyelitis optica (NMO), an autoimmune disease that causes inflammation of the spinal cord and optic nerves. She had difficulty walking and started to use a wheelchair. Knowing she would need help and support, she moved back to Atlanta to be closer to family. A neurologist recommended the Andrew C. Carlos Multiple Sclerosis Institute at Shepherd Center. There, she saw Ben Thrower, M.D., the medical director of the MS Institute.

“When it all happened, it was scary because I didn't really know what was going on. But Dr. Thrower was great. He helped me better understand NMO, and he said there was help. It made things easier. I have to say there was a before and after meeting Dr. Thrower. Before, it was a little confusing. Afterward, he made everything clear and calm,” Iliana explains.

Based on Dr. Thrower’s recommendations, Iliana began physical therapy. She also visits the MS Institute every six months to get an intravenous infusion of medication to reduce her NMO symptoms and see a member of the MS Institute team. Even though she only sees them every six months, she says many staff members are like family to her.

Iliana’s career led her to move with her family to Miami. With her symptoms in check, she is walking again and even enjoying spin classes. She has returned to the activities she loves – spending time with family, traveling, and working. Last year, her travel for work included trips to Tokyo, New Zealand, and Qatar, and she won a Sports Emmy® Award, her fourth!

But no matter where she goes, Iliana says she will continue to travel to Shepherd for treatment.

“If I move across the world, I will still come back to Shepherd Center because this place is amazing.”

 Written by Ruth Underwood

 Pursuing Possible with Shepherd Center

To support patient stories like this, please consider contributing to Shepherd Center's Pursuing Possible campaign. Click here to learn more.

“We are what’s called mirror twins,” Terry explains. “So, we are mirror images of each other. I’m a lefty, and she’s a righty, so if we held up our dominant hands, it would be like looking in a mirror. That’s how our symptoms presented, too.” 

It wasn’t until years later that Terry and Tamara would learn the cause of their symptoms – multiple sclerosis (MS). The emotional distress of their mother’s passing took a toll on their bodies, resulting in constant pain, visual changes, worsening fatigue, and body tingling. Still, it wasn’t until years later that Terry was diagnosed at 25, and Tamara was diagnosed at 30.

While the diagnosis was difficult, Terry and Tamara took a page from their mother’s book. Diagnosed at 33 with an aggressive form of cancer, their mother passed along her strength to her daughters.

“We were lucky to still be with her for 11 more years after her diagnosis,” Terry says. “She taught us to be resilient. She woke up every day with a smile on her face, so we woke up every day with a smile on our faces. That resiliency has gotten us a long way.”

When they were diagnosed, the twins were living across the country from one another; Tamara in San Francisco, California, and Terry in Atlanta, Georgia. Her primary care physician referred Terry to Shepherd Center’s Andrew C. Carlos Multiple Sclerosis Institute.

“That was my first experience of an MS center,” she says. “I remember being amazed because the nurse practitioner and doctor really listened. That’s part of what makes Shepherd so special — people really listen. It’s not like anywhere else.”

From there, Terry began taking part in Beyond Therapy®, an activity-based therapy program that aims to help people with a variety of neurological disorders improve their lifelong health and minimize secondary complications.

“I love Beyond Therapy,” Terry says. “I’m paralyzed from the waist down, so I don’t get upright often, but the Lokomat lets me get up and walk on a treadmill. I’m so grateful for that time and for the therapists there. They push you in such a kind way and always pivot based on where you are that day.”

While Terry continues her therapy with Shepherd Center in Atlanta, she stays close to her sister and the MS community through their website at twinscoast2coast.com and their social media channels. There, the twins create a safe space to share the stories, celebrations, and struggles of living with MS and advocate for people with the disease. They both volunteer with the Multiple Sclerosis Association of America, and Terry is a member of the Board of Trustees for the Georgia Multiple Sclerosis Society.

“At Twins Coast to Coast, our motto is to motivate, inspire, and educate,” says Terry. “We’ve lived with MS for so long that we can give back and give our experiences, and it means everything to be able to help someone else.”

 Written by Lindsey Rieben 

Tangie grew up in New Orleans, Louisiana, working hard to help contribute to her family’s expenses beginning at age 15. She always loved art and fashion and graduated in 2002 with a bachelor’s degree in fashion marketing from American InterContinental University. In 2011, she was pursuing her master’s degree in fine art at The Academy of Art University San Francisco when she suddenly lost vision in her left eye.

“I could no longer see or distinguish colors,” she says. “I’ve always been an artist and was getting my master’s so I could not lose my sight.”

Tangie’s ophthalmologist treated her for optic neuritis, a condition where inflammation damages the optic nerve. It can cause temporary vision loss in one eye and is a common symptom of multiple sclerosis (MS). Her ophthalmologist referred her to Emory for an MRI and a visit with a neurologist. There, Tangie was diagnosed with MS.

As a self-proclaimed “nerd,” Tangie began researching to learn as much as she could about MS, but since she and her husband were trying to have a baby, she did not start treatment.

“MS is a crazy thing, and when you’re pregnant, sometimes your body protects itself, and a lot of women feel great during pregnancy,” she explains. “That’s what happened to me. I had a great pregnancy, but after I had my son, my body felt like it was on fire, and my migraines came back.”

Tangie and her neurologist worked together to develop a treatment plan that worked for her. Three years after beginning treatment, Tangie’s neurologist retired, and she found another doctor who changed her treatment plan. At the same time, Tangie started a stressful new job in human resources (HR) and began to experience new symptoms of MS.

“I was doing the work of three people,” Tangie explains. “It was taking a toll on me health-wise, and I started to experience other symptoms. I was 36 and would come home from work with urine on my clothes because I couldn’t hold my bladder. I was dragging my leg. I couldn’t stay up and was no longer productive. That job told me not to come back until I got approval from my doctor.”

That’s when she found the Andrew C. Carlos Multiple Sclerosis Institute at Shepherd Center.

“I was skeptical at first because of my experience with my last neurologist, but from the phone calls to appointments, everyone has been kind and attentive,” she says. “None of the people at Shepherd Center have ever made me feel bad or embarrassed about any questions I ask. All of them have been consistently amazing.”

Now Tangie sees Jacqueline Rosenthal, M.D., at Shepherd. Tangie has a new treatment plan and a renewed focus on taking care of herself. She began finding new creative outlets, namely sewing.

“I knew I could not go back to the workforce, so that’s when I really started taking care of myself, and I learned how to sew,” she says.

She started by taking a class on sewing in zippers and simple skirts. From there, she stumbled on a YouTube channel that taught her how to make a clutch purse. She was immediately hooked, taking inspiration from when she worked as a manager at a Coach store.

“When I took that class, I remembered being in awe of all the details on the Coach bags,” she says. “Everything rushed back to me like, ‘You know how to do this. You love everything about handbags.’ I knew from that point on I had to make handbags, and they had to be leather.”

As driven as ever, Tangie researched until she found a vintage sewing machine that could sew leather and, later, a skiving machine, which removes excess material for two edges of leather that are meant to be joined together. From that point forward, Tangie was on a roll, and she continues to make leather bags by hand. She still receives care at the MS Institute, and the staff she initially met has now become like family.

“I don’t shake when I walk or fall like I used to,” Tangie says. “Shepherd Center has just been so amazing. The nurses there are like my big sisters. I love them from the bottom of my heart. We’ve just been in each other’s lives for so long. They ask about my family, and my family asks about them. You know the saying ‘It takes a village?’ That’s for real.”

You can check out Tangie’s handbag designs on her Instagram at @keane.koi!

Written by Lindsey Rieben

I am a full-time infusion therapy nurse at Shepherd Center’s Andrew C. Carlos Multiple Sclerosis Institute. We see patients on an outpatient basis. Patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) come in regularly for infusions to help them manage their symptoms. Depending on the infusion drug prescribed, this can be every month to every six months. 

Q: How long have you worked at Shepherd Center, and what made you decide you wanted to work here?

I came to Shepherd Center in 2013 from Memphis. I was working at an acute care facility in Memphis, and one of my patients was recovering from a stroke. He went to Shepherd Center for rehabilitation services, and I was really intrigued by the level of care that he received. He had a lot of deficits from his stroke, and when he came back from rehabilitation at Shepherd, he came walking down the hall; he said my name, and his speech was extremely clear. He described his experience at Shepherd. I could see that it really made a difference, so I did my own research about the hospital!

Q: What do you like most about your job?

The patients. Our patients are so magical because they're the ones doing the hard work. They come in, they get their treatments — even when they feel discouraged, or things are not going their way, they still show up. So, I can't help but appreciate them and come to work and do a good job. I make sure I do everything that I can to make patients feel good and special. I also have really good coworkers. They have been so supportive.

Q: How do you think your role impacts patients?

My job as a nurse is often to educate but also to break down barriers — to let patients know they can trust us. MS patients often get misdiagnosed, and they say, ‘I started showing symptoms 10 years ago, and nobody ever gave me a diagnosis.’ I care, and I am a nurturing person. I want them to feel comfortable with me so that they can share details about their health, and I can convey that information to their physician. Sometimes they forget to tell the physician certain things — I spend hours with them, so I find out everything. All these things tie into one common goal, and that's great outcomes for the patient.  

Interesting Facts

Education

University of Memphis

• Bachelor of Science, Nursing

Fun Facts

• Before starting full-time at the Andrew C. Carlos Multiple Sclerosis Institute, Chandra filled many different nursing roles at Shepherd Center, including Shepherd Pathways, the Multi-Specialty Clinic, and the Dean Stroud Spine and Pain Institute. She says she’s never afraid of a challenge.
• Chandra considered a career in journalism before she decided on nursing. She loves to write, and when she’s not at Shepherd or spending time with her husband and daughter, she enjoys writing stories and covering events for ATL Plus magazine.
• Chandra is athletic and loves sports. In high school, she played basketball and volleyball, ran track, and was also a cheerleader! As a teenager, she dreamed of playing basketball for Coach Pat Summitt and the University of Tennessee. She still enjoys playing basketball today.

By the time the career Air Force officer transferred to Shepherd Center in early 2020 for further evaluation, he was as frustrated as he was pessimistic.  

“Then I walk in, and everyone’s smiling, calling me by my name, and I’m thinking, ‘Come on, they can’t really be this happy,’” Angel says. “But whether they are or not, they bring that joy and kindness every time I come in. I can’t tell you how uplifting it is simply to go somewhere you’re valued, you’re welcomed — where you’re listened to.”

After meeting with Ben Thrower, M.D., medical director of the Andrew C. Carlos Multiple Sclerosis Institute at Shepherd Center, Angel got a new course of action to manage his MS and keep adverse side effects at bay. His care team also prescribed physical, occupational, and speech therapy at Shepherd Center. That holistic approach has helped to strengthen his muscles, combat foot drop issues, and address memory fog.

“I’m getting services at Shepherd Center that I literally couldn’t get anywhere else,” Angel says. “And they understand where I’m coming from because they work so extensively with veterans and service members.”

Ultimately, Angel says it’s not just Shepherd Center’s extensive resources and expertise that stand out.

“It’s how much they invest in you. It’s the amount of time you have with doctors. You’re not rushed. Staff members are always talking with each other, too. Everybody I work with at Shepherd Center is constantly collaborating on my case.”

The approach is paying off in the most important ways, starting with Angel’s service to his country. Angel is a C-17 program manager in the Air Force, based in Warner Robins, Georgia. He also serves as the executive officer for his unit, responsible for reviewing all military officer evaluations for his division chief.

“I still have my military career thanks to Shepherd Center,” Angel says. “There are good days and bad days. But with this treatment, I can still put in the hours necessary to meet mission requirements, despite my challenges with MS.”

Equally as important to Angel, he still has the energy and mobility to be a hands-on dad. He plays soccer and football with his children. And loves to cook their favorite family meal — smoked BBQ ribs and homemade macaroni and cheese.

“I want to do as much as I can with my kids and make it fun for them,” Angel says.

As for the future, he’s already considering a second career post-service.

“I’m thinking about being an MS patient navigator,” Angel says, “just to help other folks with MS better deal with it. My interest in that is completely due to what it’s meant for me to have all the amazing people at Shepherd Center on my side. I’d like to pay that back.”

Written by Phillip Jordan

Pursuing Possible with Shepherd Center

To support patient stories like this one, please consider contributing to Shepherd Center's Pursuing Possible campaign. 

Ocrevus is an intravenous infusion given by a healthcare professional. It is expected to be available for administration to patients by early May.

"The FDA approval of Ocrevus brings the number of available treatments for relapsing forms of MS to 17," said Ben Thrower, MD, medical director of the Andrew C. Carlos MS Institute at Shepherd Center. "However, it represents the first FDA-approved therapy for PPMS. This is truly exciting."

Shepherd Center was one of the clinical trial sites for Ocrevus. Clinical researchers saw no significant reactions or side effects in the patients enrolled in the study at Shepherd Center, Dr. Thrower noted.

PPMS is characterized by steadily worsening function from the onset of symptoms, often without early relapses or remissions. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that approximately 15 percent of patients with MS have PPMS.

The efficacy of Ocrevus for the treatment of relapsing forms of MS was shown in two clinical trials in 1,656 participants treated for 96 weeks. Both studies compared Ocrevus to another MS drug, Rebif (interferon beta-1a). In both studies, the patients receiving Ocrevus had reduced relapse rates and reduced worsening of disability compared to Rebif.

The FDA noted in its announcement that Ocrevus should not be used in patients with hepatitis B infection or a history of life-threatening infusion-related reactions to Ocrevus. Ocrevus can cause infusion-related reactions, which can be serious. These reactions include, but are not limited to, itchy skin, rash, hives, skin redness, flushing, low blood pressure, fever, tiredness, dizziness, headache, throat irritation, shortness of breath, swelling of the throat, nausea and fast heartbeat, the FDA said. Additionally, Ocrevus may increase the risk for malignancies, particularly breast cancer. Physicians should delay Ocrevus treatment for patients with active infections. Vaccination with live or live attenuated vaccines is not recommended in patients receiving Ocrevus.

In addition to the infusion-related reactions, the most common side effect of Ocrevus seen in the clinical trials for relapsing forms of MS was upper-respiratory tract infection, the FDA said. The most common side effects in the study of PPMS were upper-respiratory tract infection, skin infection and lower-respiratory tract infection.

The Andrew C. Carlos MS Institute at Shepherd Center treats more than 2,500 patients annually who have MS, suspected MS or related disorders. The MS Institute provides a wide range of treatment, rehabilitation and wellness services.

Healthcare professionals in the MS Institute believe early and appropriate treatment results in a better quality of life for people with MS and may protect against future illness. Clinicians work aggressively to slow the progression of the disease. To learn more about the MS Institute, visit Shepherd’s website.

For more information on Ocervus, visit the FDA website.

In this 10-minute Shepherd Center Radio podcast, Ben Thrower, M.D., medical director of the Andrew C. Carlos MS Institute at Shepherd Center, discusses a number of clinical trials that are under way at Shepherd Center and elsewhere. This podcast and others are available at shepherd.org/news/radio or can be downloaded as an MP3 file from the link above. A transcript of the interview is also available on the Shepherd Center Radio web page.

In the interview, Dr. Thrower discusses one recent pharmaceutical development -- the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) approval of Plegridy™ (peginterferon beta-1a), a new treatment for people with relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (RMS). Clinical trials show the drug reduces relapses, disability progression and brain lesions.

Dr. Thrower is the medical director of the MS Institute at Shepherd Center. He previously served as the medical director of the Holy Family Multiple Sclerosis Institute in Spokane, Wash. In Spokane, he was the chair of the Inland Northwest Chapter of the NMSS. In 2000, he was awarded the Norm Cohn Hope Chest Award by the National MS Society, recognizing his work with the MS community. In 2005, he was the first physician inductee into the Georgia Chapter of the National MS Society Volunteer Hall of Fame.