Picking Our Brain with Shepherd Center
73 episodes - English - Latest episode: over 2 years ago - ★★★★★ - 1 ratingThe Official Podcast of Shepherd Center, a private, not-for-profit hospital specializing in medical treatment, research and rehabilitation for people with spinal cord injury and brain injury.
Homepage Apple Podcasts Google Podcasts Overcast Castro Pocket Casts RSS feed
Episodes
Navigating a Relationship After Injury
February 28, 2022 06:00 - 42.3 MBDavid and Brittany Carter met four years after David sustained a T-7 injury in a motorcycle crash in August 2010. He had been looking for someone who could see past his wheelchair for who he really was, and he found that in Brittany. On a new episode of Picking Our Brain with Shepherd Center, David and Brittany join us to discuss navigating a relationship after injury.
Keeping a Healthy Diet After Injury
February 01, 2022 06:00 - 19.3 MBNutrition is an essential part of staying healthy for us all; it also plays a vital role in during and after recovery from injury. In this episode, Jill Newsome, clinical nutrition manager at Shepherd Center, and Allison Motter, dietitian at Shepherd Center, join us to discuss what maintaining a healthy diet means during recovery.
Advice for Caregivers
January 19, 2022 06:00 - 21.6 MBFamily members and caregivers are an important part of the rehabilitation and treatment process. Christine Trotman's daughter Eliana first began experiencing symptoms of neuromyelitis optica in December 2020. As her daughter began treatment at Shepherd Center's Andrew C. Carlos Multiple Sclerosis Institute, Christine found herself adjusting to her role as a caregiver. In this episode, Christine shares her experience, as well as advice for other caregivers.
Services for Injured Workers
November 30, 2021 06:00 - 23.5 MBAre you a workers' compensation case manager, claims manager or life care planner who are seeking options for their injured client? In this podcast, Gloria Fagan, RN, BSN, worker's compensation outreach manager at Shepherd Center, discusses the services provided for injured workers, the admissions process, and going back home or to work after injury.
Supporting Veterans After Injury
November 12, 2021 06:00 - 27.3 MBOn Veterans Day and every day, we are grateful to the brave men and women who serve our country at home and abroad. In this episode of Picking Our Brain with Shepherd Center, we’re joined by Travis Ellis, co-founder of Shepherd’s Men. Comprised of active or retired servicemen and civilian volunteers, Shepherd’s Men enthusiastically raises awareness and funds for the SHARE Military Initiative (SHARE) at Shepherd Center in Atlanta, GA and advocates for veterans experiencing the hidden injuries ...
Preventing and Treating Sports Related Concussions
October 04, 2021 05:00 - 16.7 MBThe return of fall sports brings with it a return of a common sports risk—concussions. In this episode, Russell Gore, M.D., medical director of the Complex Concussion Clinic at Shepherd Center, discusses what causes a concussion, the risk factors for concussion in sports and how concussions are treated.
Life After Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation
September 22, 2021 05:00 - 24.7 MBSeptember is Spinal Cord Injury Awareness Month! In 2006, Ben Trockman sustained a spinal cord injury in a dirt bike accident. Today, he is the diversity and inclusion outreach specialist at Old National Bank, where he focuses on the inclusion of people with disabilities for the workforce and the community the bank serves. He is also a member of his local city council. Ben joins Picking Our Brain with Shepherd Center to discuss his experience with rehabilitation and his work with disability i...
Assisting Patients and Families in the Return to Home
July 23, 2021 08:00 - 39.1 MBThe transition back home following rehabilitation is a major step—for both the patient and their caregivers. At Shepherd Center, the Transition Support Program prevents rehospitalization, improves health and safety outcomes, and promotes patient and family autonomy once the patient is discharged from Shepherd Center. Laura O’Pry, manager for the Transition Support Program, joins the podcast to discuss the role of family caregivers during this process.
Staying Safe on Electric Scooters
July 06, 2021 04:00 - 28 MBElectric scooters can be a convenient and fun way way to get yourself from point A to point B—but it's also important to get yourself to point B safely. The Georgia Governor's Office of Highway safety has teamed up with Shepherd Center to create Scoot Safe, the first federally funded, evidence-based electric scooter injury prevention campaign. Emma Harrington, injury prevention director at Shepherd Center, speaks with us about why this campaign matters, and the best ways to keep yourself—and ...
Life After Stroke Rehabilitation
May 27, 2021 14:00 - 32.1 MBNo one expects stroke to happen, especially in young adults. Seth Dickinson was a freshman at the University of Mississippi when he experienced a ruptured brain aneurysm and AVM rupture in March 2015. In this episode, Seth joins Picking Our Brain with Shepherd Center to speak about his experience with rehabilitation and returning to school.
Exploring the Role of Occupational Therapy in Rehabilitation
April 26, 2021 05:00 - 33.4 MBApril is Occupational Therapy Month! Occupational therapists help patients in rehabilitation improve their independence with daily living activities. In this podcast, two Shepherd Center occupational therapists discuss the individualized therapy they provide on the continuum of care.
Prioritizing Patient Safety
March 16, 2021 05:00 - 10.3 MBPatient safety is everyone's job! From administrators and environmental services to food services and industrial engineers, all aspects of healthcare impact safety. Jacqueline Baron-Lee, PhD, CPHQ, PMP, Director of Quality and Outcome Management at Shepherd Center, joins the podcast to discuss the importance of patient safety.
The Role of Recreation Therapy in Rehabilitation
March 08, 2021 06:00 - 7.29 MBFebruary is Recreation Therapy Month! Jenny DiLaura, MA, CCLS, CTRS, lead therapist for health and wellness in Shepherd Center's recreation therapy program, joins the podcast to discuss the role of recreation therapy in the rehabilitation process. She also discusses how the program has adapted during the COVID-19 pandemic, utilizing both in-person therapy and virtual wellness classes.
Recovery with SHARE Military Initiative
December 24, 2020 06:00 - 10.9 MBJanera Baskerville discusses her experiences with stroke rehabilitation and SHARE Military Initiative at Shepherd Center.
Rights for Voters with Disability on Election Day
October 29, 2020 14:30 - 15.6 MBJohn Smith, Director of Government Relations & Advocacy explains voters' rights for those who have disabilities.
Preparing for Your Telemedicine Appointment
August 07, 2020 05:00 - 29.2 MBDr. Angela Beninga discusses telemedicine visits during COVID-19, what to expect and how to prepare for your appointment.
Common Myths About Multiple Sclerosis
July 02, 2020 05:00 - 13.7 MBDr. Rosenthal discusses Common Myths About Multiple Sclerosis.
Preventative Measures for Coronavirus
March 08, 2020 16:00 - 14.7 MBDr. Michael Yochelson and Dr. Jesse Couk discuss Coronavirus, how it spreads, symptoms and preventative measures you should take.
Developing an Adaptive Fitness Routine
January 29, 2020 06:00 - 17.2 MBAs we enter the new year, many of us are crafting resolutions to focus on our health and fitness in 2020. Shepherd Center embraces a total approach to fitness and wellness that emphasizes physical and mental well-being with facilities that accommodate land-based and aquatic classes, personalized programs, private lessons and personal training. In today's podcast, Lisa Eagen, Lead Exercise Physiologist in Shepherd Center's ProMotion Fitness Center, will discuss how to approach a fitness rout...
Accessibility in Public Spaces and Wheelchair Etiquette
November 18, 2019 14:00 - 13.4 MBIn today's podcast, Pete Anziano, Shepherd Center Peer Support Manager discusses wheelchair accessibility in public spaces, and proper etiquette around wheelchair users.
How to Know When You Should See a Pain Specialist
September 16, 2019 13:00 - 11.5 MBChronic pain is in an extremely complex and poorly understood medical problem that can have profound effects on one’s physical and mental wellbeing. Uncontrolled pain impacts all aspects of daily activities. But how do you when it's time to see a pain specialist? Dr. James Liadis, physiatrist in the Dean Stroud Spine and Pain Institute at Shepherd Center, explains in this podcast.
Preventing Diving Injuries and Staying Safe in the Water
July 01, 2019 13:00 - 8.65 MBDiving is the fourth leading cause of spinal cord injury for men, and the fifth for women, according to the National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center. A single dive can result in a life-altering injury. Diving injuries take place in swimming pools, lakes, rivers, creeks, swimming holes and any water environment. In this podcast, Emma Harrington, Shepherd Center’s Director of Injury Prevention Education, discusses how and where diving injuries occur, and how to prevent them.
Approaching Age-Appropriate Rehabilitation with Adolescents
June 19, 2019 13:00 - 18.3 MBEach year more than 100 adolescents, ages 12 to 21, come to Shepherd Center from all over the country. They or their families choose Shepherd for its specialized treatment teams, age-appropriate therapy and expertise in treating teens and young adults with spinal cord injuries. The adolescent rehabilitation program follows Shepherd Center's philosophy of returning patients to the highest possible level of functioning and independence, while addressing adolescents' needs for autonomy, privacy ...
Taking Control of MS with Comprehensive Rehabilitation and Wellness Programs
March 29, 2019 13:00 - 11.3 MBIan Flannery discusses the MS Wellness program at Shepherd Center. He explains the different approaches of care, and how the program empowers patients to stay active and decrease the effects of deconditioning that can result from MS.
Bridging the Gap Between Rehab and Home with Recreation Therapy
March 04, 2019 14:00 - 13.8 MBCecilia Rider the Associate Manager of the Recreation Therapist Department at Shepherd Center shares why recreation is imperative for someone with a disability, the many benefits associated with recreational activity, and how to find workshops and events in your community.
The Latest in Assistive Technology for Spinal Cord and Brain Injury
September 07, 2018 13:00 - 8.6 MBShepherd Center's Assistive Technology Center works with technologies like smart phones, tablets and voice-activated devices to provide assistance and support to people living with disabilities. Shepherd Center occupational therapists evaluate each user's lifestyle requirements and functional abilities, then provide custom modifications to hardware, software, electronics and other appliances so that users can live safely and function productively. Adina Bradshaw, a speech pathologist at She...
Animal Assisted Therapy Aids in Rehabilitation Process
August 27, 2018 13:00 - 9.77 MBAnimal assisted therapy can play an important part in the rehabilitation process for patients with spinal cord injury or acquired brain injury. Shepherd Center "employs" multiple therapy dogs who bring joy to patients and also help with therapeutic exercises. In addition, they assist with tasks such as opening doors and switching lights on and off. Shepherd Center exercise physiologist Mary Ashlyn Thiede discusses the role of therapy dogs and the benefits of animal assisted therapy.
Identifying and Managing Chronic Back Pain
June 20, 2018 21:29 - 11.4 MBAt Shepherd Spine and Pain Institute, doctors offer a variety of treatments and comprehensive care for chronic back pain, one of the most common types of pain that people experience. In today’s podcast, Dr. Erik Shaw, an interventional pain management specialist at Shepherd Spine and Pain Institute, addresses the causes of back pain and how to know when your pain has become a chronic problem requiring medical attention. Dr. Shaw also explains the variety of treatment options available for c...
Providing Additional Levels of Care with Comprehensive Rehabilitation
May 14, 2018 21:37 - 11.8 MBThe CRU was designed for patients who are admitted with conditions that occurred post-injury or disease and offers treatment to stabilize these conditions and help secure better health. Wes Chay, MD, discusses The Comprehensive Rehabilitation Unit at Shepherd Center, and how it provides additional levels of care to help secure better future health.
Healthy Living with Progressive MS
April 08, 2018 19:26 - 9.58 MBProgressive forms of MS are characterized by a sustained build-up of symptoms with an insidious increase in disability. With Primary Progressive MS (PPMS) in particular, disability accumulates twice as fast as in those with Relapsing MS (RMS). This means that people with PPMS experience more problems with walking, more difficulty remaining in the workforce, and require more assistance with everyday activities. Ben Thrower, MD and the medical director of the MS Institute at Shepherd Center, d...
Treating Sport-Related Concussions
March 25, 2018 12:57 - 20.9 MBConcussions are mild traumatic brain injuries caused by a sudden jolt or blow to the head and typically resolve within a week or two. In typical concussions, headaches and other symptoms subside, and patients feel as capable as they did before their injury. Russell Gore, MD, director of Shepherd Center’s Complex Concussion Clinic, will discuss sports related concussions and the rehabilitation process.
Fitness and Healthy Living After Injury
February 26, 2018 22:11 - 7.47 MBIn today’s podcast Rebecca Washburn, MS, discusses the importance of fitness after injury and the ways Shepherd Center’s facilities and programs promote healthy living for people with disabilities.
The Ongoing Medical Needs of Patients With Catastrophic Injury
November 08, 2017 14:00 - 14.1 MBPatients with catastrophic injury face a higher severity of illness requiring complex medical management. As medical complexity evolves in the course of rehabilitation, Shepherd Center assures access to specialized medical needs. A team of experts including physiatrists, internal medicine/pulmonology intensivists and specialized clinicians collaboratively manage the most medically complex, traumatic patient care needs. In today’s podcast, Shepherd Center chief medical officer Michael Yochel...
Disability Employment and Accessibility in the Workplace
November 02, 2017 13:00 - 7.93 MBShepherd Center provides assistance from vocational rehabilitation case managers after rehabilitation for a spinal cord or brain injury. They assist clients in returning to their previous jobs, pursuing new employment options or preparing them for employment in the future. Case managers make recommendations and help implement workplace accommodations to support the client’s independence and autonomy. Additionally, case managers educate employers and help manage clients’ disability benefits ...
The Role of CBD Products in Managing Multiple Sclerosis
October 23, 2017 13:00 - 12.2 MBCannabidiol (CBD) is a non-psychoactive compound found in the cannabis plant often used by patients as an oil to manage the symptoms of chronic conditions. In today’s podcast, Ben Thrower, M.D., the medical director of the Multiple Sclerosis Institute at Shepherd Center, will discuss the use of CBD products in managing the symptoms of MS.
Participating in Sports Teams after Injury
July 31, 2017 04:00 - 8.4 MBShepherd Center sponsors 11 sports teams that enable individuals with physical disabilities to participate in sports on a recreational or competitive level. Athletes compete in local and regional competitions, as well as at the national and international levels. Regular practice sessions offer expert instruction, as well as camaraderie and peer support. In today’s podcast, sport teams coordinator Matt Edens discusses the program and how it raises awareness about disabilities and increases p...
Promoting Teen Driver Safety with AutoCoach App
June 27, 2017 21:41 - 8.3 MBIn partnership with the Georgia Governor’s Office of Highway Safety, Shepherd Center has created AutoCoach, an app that teaches parents how to effectively and safely teach their teen to drive. AutoCoach aims to improve parental supervisory behaviors and involvement through quizzes, distraction notifications, driving logs and a ten-chapter curriculum based on best practices. In today’s podcast, Shepherd Center director of injury prevention Emma Harrington discusses how the app aims to combat...
The Importance of Caring for Caregivers
June 12, 2017 16:00 - 9.87 MBCaring for a person with a neurodegenerative disease can be extremely challenging. Beyond the potential physical exhaustion caregivers may experience, they also may experience emotional and psychological changes when having to take care of someone else, and it is a potential problem that needs to be addressed. In this podcast, Deborah Backus, director of multiple sclerosis research at Shepherd Center and co-author of the paper “Coping With Caregiver Burnout When Caring for a Person With Neu...
The Value of Peer Support After Injury
March 15, 2017 21:25 - 11.2 MBPeople with spinal cord injuries and their families often feel anxious about returning home after rehabilitation and dealing with the many challenges related to living with such injuries. Patients with SCI who receive more intensive peer mentorship have more active engagement in rehabilitation, greater self-efficacy and lower hospital readmissions. In this segment of Shepherd Center Radio, Minna Hong, the Spinal Cord Injury Peer Support Program supervisor at Shepherd Center, discusses the va...
SCI in the First 72 Hours
March 08, 2017 22:18 - 9.69 MBToday, Shepherd Center access case manager Dorea Fowler discusses treatments for people with spinal cord injury in the first 72 hours after injury. This podcast describes the way spinal cord injury affects the body, including the levels of injury and muscles that coordinate with those injuries, and how people with spinal cord injury differ from other patients in an intensive care unit.
Respiratory Therapy During Rehabilitation
March 06, 2017 23:48 - 9.57 MBWhen a patient has a spinal cord injury, depending on the level of injury, breathing can become the most important issue they and their family are facing. When a patient has limited use of their diaphragm, respiratory therapists assist through ventilator management or coughing assistance. Respiratory therapists keep the patient breathing and get them breathing on their own before physical recovery can begin. Shepherd Center respiratory therapist Kelley Taylor is here today to speak about the...
Stroke: Recognizing Symptoms is Vital to Recovery
January 11, 2017 22:36 - 10.3 MBAbout 700,000 strokes occur in the United States each year. To serve the healthcare needs of these patients, Shepherd Center provides a full continuum of services – from inpatient rehabilitation to outpatient care for stroke rehabilitation. The hospital’s program specializes in rehabilitation for people who may be in college, raising a family or in the prime of their career. In today’s podcast, Dr. Andrew Dennison, a board-certified physical medicine and rehabilitation physician with an a...
Common Complications After Discharge from Rehabilitation for Brain and Spinal Cord Injury
December 22, 2016 00:00 - 9.26 MBSecondary complications are a major health issue for people living with brain and spinal cord injury. Secondary conditions are negative health outcomes that occur as a direct result of a disability. The most common secondary conditions for these patients are pressure sores, respiratory complications, urinary tract infections, spasticity and neuropathic pain. Today, Angela Beninga, D.O., a staff physiatrist in Shepherd Center’s Multispecialty Clinic and the director of Shepherd Center’s Spina...
Neuroimaging Research and Treatment of Multiple Sclerosis
December 20, 2016 01:54 - 9.1 MBThe Andrew C. Carlos MS Institute at Shepherd has extensive experience treating people with multiple sclerosis (MS), suspected MS or related disorders. The MS Institute at Shepherd has treated thousands of people with MS using a wide range of neurological and rehabilitative services. Additionally, Shepherd Center engages in research to improve clinical outcomes and the quality of life for individuals with MS. Today, Dr. Guy Buckle, M.D., MPH, director of neuroimaging research at Shepherd ...
Rehabilitation Admissions Under Workers’ Compensation
December 04, 2016 19:17 - 6.54 MBAre you a workers' compensation case manager, claims manager or life care planner who are seeking options for their injured client? In this podcast, Heddi Silon, the director of workers compensation at Shepherd Center, discusses the admissions process for patients covered under worker’s compensation. In this segment of Shepherd Center Radio, we discuss options for patients who need a “tune up,” those who never participated in rehabilitation, or injured workers who have previously participat...
Family Systems After Brain Injury
September 20, 2016 21:29 - 11.8 MBBrain injury affects the entire family, not just the injured person, and the support of the family system plays a significant role in recovery. In this podcast, Tana Hall, a family counselor for the Acquired Brain Injury Program at Shepherd Center, discusses the grieving process and how brain injury impacts the family system. She offers strategies for families to cope with the long-term effects of brain injury.
Stroke Education for Patients Undergoing Rehabilitation
August 20, 2016 18:32 - 13.7 MBAbout 700,000 strokes occur in the United States each year. A stroke can affect a person physically and emotionally, and can affect the way a person thinks (cognition) and acts (behavior). Living with and returning home following a stroke can be daunting, requiring preparation for a patient’s ongoing safety, accessibility and independence. Listen in as clinical nurse specialist Tiffany LeCroy joins us to discuss stroke education for Shepherd Center patients undergoing rehabilitation in the ...
Rehabilitation Process for Athletes Who Sustain Spinal Cord Injury
June 28, 2016 20:37 - 8.05 MBAthletes have long thrived at Shepherd Center. Over the past 41 years, Shepherd Center has treated countless patient-athletes from across the country who played high school, college or professional sports. In addition to occupational and physical therapy, patients have access to the largest team of recreation therapy specialists in the nation, as well as to an adaptive sports program that includes competitive teams, sports and health clinics, and outdoor recreation workshops. Listen in as D...
Research to Improve Quality of Life for People with Multiple Sclerosis
June 07, 2016 00:54 - 9.16 MBShepherd Center engages in research to improve clinical outcomes and the quality of life for individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS). At the hospital’s MS Rehabilitation and Wellness Research Program, researchers study the effects of rehabilitation and exercise interventions for people with MS, and studies also address vocation and quality of life. Researchers also make a concerted effort to share their findings to people with MS, as well as MS healthcare providers, caregivers and healthcare...
Alternatives to Treating Pain with Opioid Medications
April 11, 2016 13:01 - 12.9 MBThe increasingly widespread use of opioid painkillers for chronic pain has created a public health crisis as many people are abusing these highly addictive medications. Aiming to reduce the number of opioid prescriptions doctors write, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently issued guidelines that recommend doctors try pain relievers like ibuprofen before prescribing the highly addictive pills, and that they give most patients only a few days’ supply. But pain intervention...