Jamie Shepherd, MBA, MHA, FACHE, is Shepherd Center’s new CEO. Shepherd assumes the role on September 23, 2024, succeeding longtime CEO Sarah Morrison, PT, MBA, MHA, who retired after a 40-year career at Shepherd Center. Shepherd has served as president and chief operating officer since 2022.

“I remember as a child watching my father and grandparents, surrounded by an enormous amount of community support and leadership, grow Shepherd Center from a six-bed unit in a rented space to what will be a 200-bed hub for the country’s best neurorehabilitation care and research,” Shepherd said. “My vision is to further build on the strong foundation my father and grandparents established while also maintaining our unique culture.”

As president and COO, Shepherd provided the leadership and strategic vision to ensure Shepherd Center had the proper processes and resources to optimize the hospital's clinical operations. He also oversaw the hospital’s community services and risk management functions. 

Prior to serving as COO, Shepherd served as director of community services and risk management and as a strategic project analyst. Before joining Shepherd Center, he was the executive vice president at Rogers Bridge Company. Shepherd is also a founding member of the Shepherd Center Society and a board member of Shepherd Center. Shepherd received his bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Georgia. He earned master’s degrees in business administration and health administration from Georgia State University. 

"Jamie is a proven leader who intimately understands our operations, and most importantly, he has helped shape and continues to understand our culture,” Morrison said. “He is committed to helping patients and families begin again after complex injuries and illnesses. I look forward to the opportunities ahead for Shepherd Center with his leadership and vision.” 

Shepherd begins his tenure as CEO as Morrison retires, winding down a celebrated 40-year career at Shepherd Center. Morrison began her career at the hospital as a physical therapist in 1984. Since then, she has served in various leadership roles at Shepherd Center, including vice president of clinical services, director of the Spinal Cord Injury Program, and director of the medical/surgical and ICU programs, among others. 

Shepherd Center has flourished since Morrison became CEO in 2017. With her leadership, Shepherd Center’s outcomes have regularly exceeded national averages, and the neurorehabilitation hospital became one in an elite group of hospitals recognized as both Spinal Cord Injury and Traumatic Brain Injury Model Systems. She also has led efforts to increase patient access and improve patient and family experience through Pursuing Possible: The Campaign for Shepherd Center. Well-respected in the healthcare community, Morrison has written many peer-reviewed publications, presented nationally and internationally, and has actively participated in research studies.

Even beyond outcomes and recognition, Morrison’s legacy is a force felt by patients, their families, and staff. 

“Sarah committed to our mission as a staff therapist when she began her career at Shepherd, and she has kept that same commitment all the way through as CEO, not only for our patients and families, but also to our staff,” said Cheryl Linden, LPC, OT, counselor for the Adolescent Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation Program, who has worked with Sarah for 36 years. “She understands what it’s like to work with patients and families as a therapist, and she also has that all-important connection with patients and families, which is at the core of what we do. Part of her legacy will be that she instilled humor and fun into what was often a difficult time. Her leadership has always allowed patients and staff to have moments of levity.” 

And Shepherd patients, families, and staff have also left their mark on Morrison.

“It has been one of the highlights of my life to serve our patients and their families alongside our staff — the best team in the world,” Morrison said. “I am so proud and grateful for what we have accomplished together to help thousands of patients and families begin again after injury or illness."