John Shepherd Shields, MD

“Total joint replacement is one of the most successful operations in all of surgery, allowing us to give patients their lives back in a profound way. I love the patient population and the continuity of care I can provide. More importantly, I love having the ability to make such a profound impact on people's quality of life and mobility.”

Dr. John Shields is board certified in orthopaedic surgery. He specializes in performing and managing total joint, hip and knee replacements and revisions. Other conditions he treats include osteoarthritis and avascular necrosis (loss of blood supply to a bone).

Growing up with a stuttering condition, he learned early in life about the difficulties of having a disability. This motivated him to help others and led to a job as an operating room orderly during high school and college. He then chose his specialty as a way to make lasting changes and cure disabilities in his patients’ lives.

Dr. Shields is a professor of orthopaedic surgery at Wake Forest University School of Medicine. He serves as the vice chair of quality for the musculoskeletal service line, the section chief of adult reconstruction and the fellowship director of adult reconstruction at Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center. Additionally, he serves as the medical director of orthopaedic surgery at Davie Medical Center.

His awards include listings in the Best Doctors in America for multiple years and Surgeon of the Month at the Journal of Arthroplasty. Dr. Shields was named a “HeForShe” Award winner by UN Women, the United Nations organization for gender equality.

His research interests and grant projects include improving quality outcomes and recovery from pain and disability after surgery.

Dr. Shields received his bachelor’s degree in biology at the College of William & Mary and his medical degree at the University of Virginia. He completed residency in orthopaedic surgery at Wake Forest University and a fellowship in adult reconstruction at New England Baptist Hospital.

He is married with 2 children and 2 dogs. His wife, Sara, is a doctor of pharmacy. Away from work, Dr. Shields loves the outdoors and has a passion for photography, especially landscapes and wildlife. He’s also a fan of audiobooks.