Jerry A. Shields

Jerry A. Shields
Born	(1937-06-09)June 9, 1937
Died	June 22, 2025(2025-06-22) (aged 88)
Nationality	American
Alma mater	Murray State University (B.S., 1960) University of Michigan Medical School, (M.D., 1964)
Occupation	Ophthalmologist
Known for	Ocular oncology
Spouse	Carol Shields[1]
Children	7 [1]

Jerry A. Shields (June 9, 1937 – June 22, 2025)was an American ophthalmologist, ocular oncologist, researcher, and educator. He founded and directed the Ocular Oncology Service at Wills Eye Hospital in Philadelphia, one of the first of its kind in the world. He authored over 1,300 peer-reviewed articles, 600 book chapters, and 13 textbooks in ophthalmology. He trained over 300 fellows from around the globe and was recognized as a pioneer in the diagnosis and treatment of intraocular tumors.

After completing medical school, Shields served as a battalion surgeon in the United States Marine Corps during the Vietnam War. He later served in the United States Navy in Europe before returning to the U.S. to pursue further medical training.

• Wills Eye Hospital, Vitreoretinal Surgery, 1972, 1970
• Armed Forces Institute of Pathology, Ophthalmic Pathology, 1971

• Wills Eye Hospital, 1970

• University of Michigan, 1964

After completing medical school, Shields served as a battalion surgeon in the United States Marine Corps during the Vietnam War. He later served in the United States Navy in Europe before returning to the U.S. to pursue further medical training.

• Murray State University, 1960 - He received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Biology and was a member of Sigma Chi fraternity, Beta Beta Beta honorary society, and Who's Who.^[2]

In 1974, Shields founded the Ocular Oncology Service at Wills Eye Hospital, which would become one of the most prominent centers for eye cancer treatment worldwide. His innovations included early tumor detection using ultrasonography, angiography, and radioactive phosphorus uptake, as well as the development of plaque radiotherapy for ocular melanoma.

Throughout his career, Shields published over 1,360 scientific articles and gave more than 1,500 invited lectures, including more than 80 named lectures. His textbooks, including *Intraocular Tumors: An Atlas and Textbook*, are widely used in ophthalmology training programs.

Shields served on editorial boards of major medical journals and held leadership roles in professional organizations. He was a founding president of the International Society of Ocular Oncology and also served as president of the Macula Society.

Shields received numerous honors throughout his career, including:

• Castle Connolly National Physician of the Year Award for Clinical Excellence (2013)
• American Academy of Ophthalmology Laureate Recognition Award (2014)
• Marshall M. Parks Medal from the American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus (2012)
• Inaugural Jerry A. Shields Lecture, established by the Asia-Pacific Academy of Ophthalmology

He was consistently ranked among America's Top Doctors and was known for his mentorship and training of physicians worldwide.

Shields was married to Dr. Carol Lally Shields, his longtime collaborator and co-director of the Ocular Oncology Service. Together, they raised seven children and built a legacy of clinical excellence and education. Outside of medicine, he was known for his humility, sense of humor, and love of family.

Dr. Jerry A. Shields died peacefully at home on June 22, 2025, surrounded by his family. His passing was widely mourned in the ophthalmology and medical communities.

The Wills Eye Hospital and international colleagues paid tribute to his lifetime contributions to ocular oncology. The **Jerry A. Shields, MD Eye Cancer Fund** was established in his memory to support ongoing research and innovation in eye cancer care.

• Eyelid, Conjunctival, and Orbital Tumors and Intraocular Tumors • An Atlas and Text (Two-Volume Set)

• Physician Bio at Wills Eye Institute website
• PubMed/NIH listing of published articles
• Jerry A. Shields MD Eye Cancer Fund
• Dr. Shields’ biography at Wills Eye Hospital
• In Memoriam – Wills Eye Hospital
• AAPOS Hall of Fame: Jerry A. Shields