Jackie Breitenstein
Program Manager, SHARE Military Initiative and Complex Concussion Clinic, Shepherd Center
Jackie Breitenstein is the Program Program Manager for the SHARE Military Initiative and Complex Concussion Clinic at Shepherd Center. The SHARE Military Initiative provides comprehensive rehabilitation for post-9/11 active duty and separated service members with diagnoses and/or symptoms of mild Traumatic Brain Injuries and co-occurring mental health issues (such as PTSD, anxiety, depression, etc). Services at SHARE are provided at no cost to the service member. Each client receives an average of 12 weeks of comprehensive treatment followed by one year of transition support from a Life Coach who will travel to the homes and communities of clients once they return home from SHARE. In her role, Jackie oversees the daily operations, clinicians, and clients with the SHARE program. Jackie has been employed at the Shepherd Center since 2009, and provided case management and transition support services to patients after discharging to their home communities until her position with SHARE in 2014. In addition to her role at SHARE, Jackie serves on the Board of the Atlanta VA Mental Health Advocacy Council and as a co-leader of Vetlanta’s Healthcare Pillar.
Prior to working at Shepherd, Jackie worked with adolescents in residential psychiatric and residential settings for 7 years. Her roles included Recreation Therapy/Activities Supervisor at the United Methodist Children’s Home in Decatur, and a Recreation Therapist at Inner Harbour/Youth Villages in Douglasville. Her career path was inspired by her work as a Ropes Course Facilitator/ Supervisor at Texas Lions Camp.
Jackie has a Bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology from the University of Texas at Austin, and a Master’s Degree in Recreation Therapy from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.