Name: Dr. Jessica A. Shields
Specialty: Neurosurgery (Epilepsy Surgery & Stereotactic/Functional Neurosurgery)
Qualification/Board Certification: Board Eligible / Board Certified in Neurological Surgery (as applicable)
Affiliation: Emory Clinic Inc
Locations: Palm Springs, California
Languages Spoken: English
Accepting New Patients: Yes
NPI Number: 1679960140
About the Doctor
Dr. Jessica A. Shields is a neurosurgeon practicing in Palm Springs, California, with 11-20 years of experience. She earned her medical degree from Louisiana State University School of Medicine and completed her residency in Neurological Surgery at Louisiana State University School of Medicine, followed by a fellowship in Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery at Emory University. Dr. Shields is currently accepting new patients and is affiliated with Desert Regional Medical Center, which is recognized as High Performing in Stroke.
Patient Awards & Recognition:
-
Makes Time for Patients
-
Listens Attentively
-
Clearly Explains
-
Performs Thorough Exams
-
Great Bedside Manner
-
Expert in spinal fusion
Patient Experience Summary:
-
Patients generally report positive experiences with a caring and thorough approach
-
Multiple patients emphasize her attentiveness and confidence in her surgical care
-
One patient reported a negative experience
Education & Training
-
Medical School: Louisiana State University School of Medicine
-
Residency: Neurological Surgery – Louisiana State University School of Medicine, 2015–2021
-
Fellowship/Additional Training: Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery – Emory University, 2021–2022
Medical Conditions Treated
Dr. Shields specializes in surgical and non-surgical treatment of disorders affecting the brain, nervous system, and spinal column. Her subspecialties include epilepsy surgery and stereotactic/functional neurosurgery.
Common conditions include:
-
Spinal stenosis (narrowing of the spinal canal)
-
Spondylosis (spinal arthritis/degeneration)
-
Spinal fusion (expertise area)
-
Herniated or bulging discs
-
Lower back pain
-
Neck pain
-
Sciatica (radiating leg pain)
-
Epilepsy (surgical treatment)
-
Movement disorders (Parkinson’s disease, essential tremor – for deep brain stimulation)
-
Brain tumors
-
Spinal cord tumors
-
Brain bleeds (intracranial hemorrhage)
-
Head or spinal cord trauma
-
Trigeminal neuralgia (facial pain)
-
Hydrocephalus (excess fluid in the brain)
-
Chiari malformation
-
Syringomyelia (cyst in the spinal cord)
Medical Procedures Performed
Dr. Shields performs both traditional and minimally invasive surgical procedures for brain and spine conditions, with advanced training in stereotactic and functional neurosurgery.
Procedures include:
-
Spinal fusion (joining two or more vertebrae to stabilize the spine)
-
Laminectomy (removal of lamina to relieve pressure on spinal cord or nerves)
-
Discectomy (removal of herniated disc material)
-
Foraminotomy (widening of nerve root exit passages)
-
Minimally invasive spine surgery (MISS)
-
Craniotomy (for brain tumors, hemorrhages, or epilepsy surgery)
-
Deep brain stimulation (DBS) lead placement (for Parkinson’s disease and essential tremor)
-
Stereotactic brain biopsy (precision-guided tissue sampling)
-
Epilepsy surgery (resection of seizure foci, laser interstitial thermal therapy – LITT)
-
Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) placement
-
Intrathecal pump placement (for pain or spasticity)
-
Shunt placement (for hydrocephalus)
-
Microvascular decompression (for trigeminal neuralgia)
-
Surgical treatment of spinal cord compression
Services Offered
Dr. Shields provides comprehensive neurosurgical services for patients with complex brain and spine conditions. Her practice offers thorough new patient evaluations, chronic pain management, and personalized surgical planning with a focus on patient education and communication. Patients consistently praise her caring and thorough approach, attentiveness, and the confidence they feel under her care. Her advanced training in stereotactic and functional neurosurgery allows her to offer specialized procedures such as deep brain stimulation for movement disorders and epilepsy surgery for patients with medically refractory seizures. Dr. Shields works within a multidisciplinary team, coordinating care with neurologists, pain specialists, physical therapists, and primary care physicians.
Detailed services include:
-
Comprehensive new patient consultations – Full neurological history, physical exam, and imaging review (MRI, CT, myelogram)
-
Spine surgery – Spinal fusion, laminectomy, discectomy, foraminotomy for stenosis, herniated discs, and degenerative conditions
-
Minimally invasive spine procedures – Smaller incisions, faster recovery, reduced post-operative pain
-
Brain tumor surgery – Craniotomy for tumor resection, stereotactic biopsy
-
Epilepsy surgery – Surgical evaluation, seizure focus resection, laser interstitial thermal therapy (LITT)
-
Deep brain stimulation (DBS) – Patient selection, lead placement, and post-operative programming in coordination with neurologists
-
Movement disorder surgery – DBS for Parkinson’s disease, essential tremor, and dystonia
-
Trauma care – Surgical management of head and spinal cord injuries
-
Hydrocephalus management – Shunt placement and revision
-
Trigeminal neuralgia treatment – Microvascular decompression, radiosurgery referral
-
Pediatric neurosurgery (as applicable) – Chiari malformation, syringomyelia, tethered cord
-
Preoperative and postoperative care coordination – Working with anesthesiologists, physical therapists, and rehabilitation specialists
-
Second opinion consultations – For patients seeking additional surgical or non-surgical recommendations
-
Follow-up care – Long-term monitoring after surgery or conservative treatment
-
Patient and family education – Surgical risks, recovery expectations, and rehabilitation planning
Accepted Insurances
Dr. Shields accepts a wide range of insurance plans, including Medicare. Please contact the office to verify that your specific plan is accepted.
-
Aetna (EPO, HMO, Medicare, POS, PPO)
-
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts (Medicare, PPO)
-
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan (Medicare, POS, PPO)
-
Cigna (PPO)
-
CMS Medicare (Medicare)
-
Elevance (EPO, HMO, Medicare, POS, PPO)
-
Humana (HMO, Medicare, PPO)
-
Molina (HMO, Medicare)
-
Regence Health Plans (PPO)
-
United Healthcare (HMO, Medicare, POS, PPO)
Practice Locations
Address: 1180 N Palm Canyon Dr E205, Palm Springs, CA 92262
Phone: (760) 325-1202
Hospital Affiliations
Cardiologist
Reviews
There are no reviews yet.