Carol L. Shields

About Carol L. Shields

Ocular Oncology Service, Director, Wills Eye Hospital, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA

A little-known or interesting thing about you...

I attended the University of Notre Dame for my collegiate education, with the intention of studying hard to become a scientist. And that I did, but I could not resist trying out for the newly founded women’s basketball team, a sport I loved. In the end, I played on the team for four years, served as its captain for three years, and this experience propelled me into my future, convincing me to believe in myself and my ultimate potential.

If you weren’t an ophthalmologist…

I would probably specialize in dermatology. I really enjoyed both fields in medical school. My career in ophthalmic tumors is a blend of ophthalmology and dermatology, with an emphasis on related tumors.

One practical tip for a fellow expert...

A practical tip for patient management in ocular oncology is to stay positive and relay this to the family. I always start my counseling session with a positive comment, to give the patient and their family hope.