Dr. Donald C. Shields

Name: Dr. Donald C. Shields, MD

Specialty: Neurosurgery

Subspecialty: Stereotactic & Functional Neurosurgery

Qualification/Board Certification: MD; board certification is not listed in the provided profile

Affiliation(s): Spartanburg Medical Center, George Washington University Hospital, Spartanburg Surgery Center

Location: Spartanburg, South Carolina

Languages Spoken: English

Accepting New Patients: Online appointment booking is shown; patients should confirm directly with the office

NPI Number: 1962460907

Source: Uploaded U.S. News doctor profile

About the Doctor

Dr. Donald C. Shields is a neurosurgeon who provides care for conditions affecting the brain, spine, spinal nerves, and nervous system. Neurosurgeons may use surgical and minimally invasive techniques to treat complex spine and neurological disorders, including spinal stenosis, spine instability, nerve compression, tumors, trauma, and selected brain-related conditions.

Dr. Shields practices in Spartanburg, South Carolina, with Carolina Orthopaedic and Neurosurgical Associates. His profile lists him as a Patients’ Top Choice provider and shows a 4.9 out of 5 patient rating based on 107 reviews. Patient feedback describes him as thorough, knowledgeable, attentive, clear in communication, and willing to listen.

Key profile highlights include:

• More than 21 years of medical experience
• Specialty focus in neurosurgery
• Subspecialty focus in stereotactic and functional neurosurgery
• Expertise in spinal fusion, spinal stenosis, spondylosis, lower back pain, and neck pain
• Affiliated with Spartanburg Medical Center and George Washington University Hospital
• Connected with Spartanburg Surgery Center
• 4.9 out of 5 patient rating listed on the profile
• 107 patient reviews listed
• English-speaking provider

Education & Training

Dr. Shields’ education and training include medical school, neurological surgery residency, advanced functional neurosurgery training, and business education.

Medical School: Medical University of South Carolina College of Medicine

Residency: UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine/UCLA Medical Center, Neurological Surgery, 2000–2006

Fellowship/Additional Training: Massachusetts General Hospital, Functional Neurosurgery, 2006–2008

Additional Education: University of Tennessee, MBA in Business, 2007–2008

South Carolina Medical License: Active through 2027

Other State Licenses Listed: California, Massachusetts, Maryland, District of Columbia, and Virginia

Medical Conditions Treated

As a neurosurgeon, Dr. Shields may treat conditions involving the brain, spine, spinal nerves, and nervous system. His profile specifically highlights spinal fusion, spinal stenosis, spondylosis, lower back pain, and neck and spine problems.

Common conditions treated may include:

• Spinal stenosis
• Spondylosis
• Spondylolisthesis
• Lower back pain
• Neck pain
• Spine problems
• Spinal nerve compression
• Degenerative spine disease
• Back and neck pain
• Spine instability
• Brain and spinal tumors
• Brain bleeds
• Head trauma
• Spinal cord trauma
• Conditions requiring neurosurgical evaluation

Medical Procedures Performed

Neurosurgeons perform surgical and minimally invasive procedures to treat brain, spine, and nervous system disorders. Dr. Shields’ profile specifically highlights spinal fusion and treatment options for back and neck pain, including care without fusion when appropriate.

Common procedures and treatments may include:

• Neurosurgery consultation
• Spinal fusion surgery
• Spine surgery evaluation
• Treatment for spinal stenosis
• Treatment for spondylosis
• Back and neck pain treatment without fusion
• Stereotactic and functional neurosurgery evaluation
• Brain and spine condition evaluation
• Review of MRI, CT, and other imaging results
• Pre-surgical planning
• Post-surgical follow-up care
• Neurological symptom evaluation
• Referrals for physical therapy or pain management when appropriate
• Coordination with hospital-based neurosurgery teams

Services Offered

Dr. Shields provides neurosurgical care for patients with spine, brain, and nervous system conditions. His care may include evaluating symptoms, reviewing imaging results, explaining surgical and non-surgical treatment options, performing spine-related procedures, and supporting patients through recovery after surgery.

Services may include:

• Neurosurgery consultations
• Spine surgery consultations
• Spinal fusion consultation and treatment
• Lower back pain evaluation
• Neck pain and spine problem evaluation
• Spinal stenosis and spondylosis care
• Non-fusion treatment planning for back and neck pain
• Stereotactic and functional neurosurgery services
• Brain and nervous system evaluation
• Imaging review and treatment planning
• Preoperative education
• Postoperative recovery follow-up
• Coordination with orthopedic and neurosurgical care teams
• Referral support for rehabilitation or pain management

Patients should contact the office directly to confirm current services, appointment availability, telehealth options, referral requirements, and insurance participation.

Accepted Insurances

The provided profile lists the following accepted insurance plans:

• Aetna
• AmeriHealth Caritas
• Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan
• Cigna
• Elevance
• Humana
• Regence Health Plans
• United Healthcare
• Medicaid

Accepted plan types listed include:

• EPO
• HMO
• Medicaid
• Medicare
• POS
• PPO

Patients should confirm coverage directly with the doctor’s office and insurance provider before scheduling an appointment, consultation, or procedure.

Practice Locations

Location 1 Address:1330 Boiling Springs Rd., Suite 1600, Spartanburg, SC 29303

Practice Name: Carolina Orthopaedic and Neurosurgical Associates

Phone: (864) 582-6396

Location 2
No second office location is listed in the provided profile.

Hospital Affiliations

Dr. Shields is affiliated with:

• Spartanburg Medical Center, Spartanburg, SC
• George Washington University Hospital, Washington, DC
• Spartanburg Surgery Center, Spartanburg, SC