Celebrating the Career and Impact of Dr. Naomi Shields, MD
- propelledit
- Aug 1, 2025
- 4 min read
Updated: Aug 15, 2025
Foot & Ankle Orthopaedic Surgeon | Global Humanitarian | Educator
With deep gratitude and admiration, TruOrtho announces the upcoming retirement of Dr. Naomi Shields, a founding partner and nationally respected foot and ankle orthopaedic surgeon. After more than four decades of dedication to medicine and global humanitarian service, Dr. Shields will retire from clinical practice on December 15, 2025.
Dr. Shields made history early in her career as the first woman accepted into the orthopaedic surgery residency program at Wilford Hall USAF Medical Center in San Antonio. That trailblazing spirit set the tone for a remarkable journey that would span decades and continents.
During her service in the U.S. Air Force, she rose to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel and served as Chief of Orthopaedics at Kirtland AFB. Her passion for education and access to care led her to mentor students and clinicians across the globe and to participate in more than 60 humanitarian medical missions to countries including Vietnam, Egypt, Haiti, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Bolivia. Her dedication to global service earned her recognition from numerous international surgical societies. She has lectured at global conferences, taught at medical institutions abroad, and worked tirelessly to expand orthopaedic care in underserved communities.
Since joining TruOrtho in 2018, Dr. Shields has been a pillar of compassionate care and clinical excellence. Her patients describe her as not only a highly skilled surgeon, but also a kind, thoughtful, and deeply attentive physician who made them feel heard and empowered at every stage of their care.
Her global footprint is just as impactful. Through her volunteer work with organizations such as the Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Foundation, Health Volunteers Overseas (HVO), and The Perry Initiative, she has helped expand access to surgical care in communities from Vietnam to Egypt, and inspired countless young women to explore careers in orthopaedics. She’s presented at international conferences, mentored students across disciplines, and welcomed visiting scholars from around the world into her clinical practice.
Dr. Shields has also been a passionate educator. Her mentorship of local students — including Brandeis High School mentees Thomas and Ria, who learned hands-on casting and suturing under her guidance — is just one example of her commitment to shaping the future of orthopaedic care. She is known not only for her technical skill, but for her joyful approach to teaching, often saying that medicine should be both meaningful and fun.
Professionally, she has been recognized with numerous awards, including being named a Lapiplasty® Centurion Surgeon for completing more than 100 minimally invasive 3D bunion correction procedures. Her involvement with professional societies, including the AAOS, AOFAS, and the Texas Medical Association, has helped influence the field at large — from clinical standards to international outreach.
Throughout her years at TruOrtho, Dr. Shields brought the same energy, compassion, and excellence to every patient interaction — whether treating a complex foot condition or encouraging someone at the start of their healing journey. Her commitment to care, education, and service has left a lasting mark on colleagues, patients, and communities both locally and around the world.
A Personal Message from Dr. Naomi Shields
August 1, 2025
After 43 years as a physician and orthopaedic surgeon, I’ve made the very difficult decision to retire from clinical practice on December 15, 2025. My final surgeries will be performed by September 15, 2025, with rare exception.
To my patients and referring providers — thank you. Since moving to San Antonio and joining TruOrtho in 2018, I’ve had the privilege of caring for individuals from all walks of life. I am truly grateful for the trust you’ve placed in me and for the opportunity to be part of your care.
Orthopaedics has given me far more than a career. Over four decades, I’ve had the chance to serve patients both locally and globally — participating in medical missions around the world, mentoring young surgeons, and advocating for expanded access to surgical care in underserved communities. It has been one of the great honors of my life to combine clinical work with service through various organizations committed to this mission.
Throughout my career, I’ve been fortunate to receive recognition from several professional societies, but it’s the daily work with patients — helping someone walk again, recover from injury, or avoid unnecessary pain — that has always meant the most to me.
As I prepare for this next chapter, I want to assure my current patients that your care remains a top priority. If you’re considering surgery, I encourage you to contact the office as soon as possible to schedule. For those who may need continued foot and ankle care after my retirement, I recommend visiting www.aofas.org to find a board-certified orthopaedic foot and ankle surgeon in the San Antonio area. To transfer your medical records, please visit www.tru-ortho.com → Patient Forms → Medical Release.
TruOrtho remains committed to providing excellent care and is actively seeking a new foot and ankle specialist to join the practice. The team continues to offer expert treatment for joint replacement, sports injuries, shoulder, and elbow care.
Thank you for the privilege of serving you. Though I’ll be stepping away from the operating room, I look forward to continuing advocacy and volunteer work in the field of orthopaedics — and perhaps even a little well-earned rest.
With deep appreciation,
Naomi Shields, MD Foot and Ankle Orthopaedic Surgeon
As we prepare to say farewell to Dr. Shields in her clinical role, we also celebrate the extraordinary impact she has made — not just at TruOrtho, but across the global orthopaedic community. Her legacy spans generations, countries, and specialties.
From the entire TruOrtho team, thank you, Dr. Shields, for your tireless service, pioneering spirit, and unmatched compassion. We are proud to honor your journey through the photos and memories shared throughout this post.