February 06, 1929 - October 06, 2021
John Shields Obituary J. Paul Shields, Jr. M.D. 2/6/1929 � 10/6/2021 Born in Mystic Lake, Montana to J. Paul and Jessie Shields, Paul grew up in Columbus, with his younger brother, Dean, playing basketball on a dirt plot with neighbor kids, and working summer jobs. It was the simple suggestion of his college professor in Bozeman that prompted him to choose medicine, enrolling at the University of Washington in 1950. On his drive from Montana to the U of W, he fell asleep at the WA State line and totaled his car. While seeking help, the car was broken into and his suitcase with shirts was stolen. Decades later at reunions, he would be remembered as �the one shirt guy.� He recalled, �What little money I got for my car was used to purchase a bus ticket and that just left enough to buy a wash and wear white shirt. Every night I would wash and hang it out. I waited the full school term before telling my folks, hoping my good grades would ease the news about my car.� It was Paul�s residency at Marion County General Hospital (1954-1955) where cardiology became his focus, under the guidance of Charles Fisch and fellowship positions with the Krannert Institute (1956) and Eli Lilly Research (1957-58). In 1962, Spokane became the home to many of his professional �firsts:� he was the first adult invasive cardiologist in Spokane; performed the first coronary arteriogram in the State of Washington; the first to provide the area with external pacemakers; the first to perform echocardiograms; the first medical director for the Deaconess Cardiovascular Department and Cardiac Care Unit; and the founder and director of the first civilian Cardiopulmonary Technologist School in the United States (1969). Paul would be the first to tell you he was not a self-made man. He was always grateful to those who helped him move forward. Dr. Bowen with initial free office space; Dr. Ellsworth with granting him license to do his heart caths; Carlene Young, who researched the military data and linked Spokane Community College to the amazing diversified cardiovascular program they offer today. His medical partners, Drs. Sutherland, Burroughs, Judge, and Hinnen and the further expansion of cardiac technology with Drs. Leimgruber, Goldberg and the Spokane Cardiology group itself. And Paul was grateful and honored that his patients referred friends and family to him. He was deeply committed to providing the best care possible. To Paul, this meant teamwork and education whether you were a doctor, a technician, a nurse, or an EMT. �You�re only as good as your team,� he�d say, �because they�re with my patients when I can�t be.� Paul was never afraid to give his knowledge away to others. In CCU alone, he taught two classes once a week, covering night, day, evening shifts. It made for safer patient care. He read constantly and kept data on his own patients to cross examine those results with what was just published. A man of few words, he preferred to stay quiet and listen, and this helped his patients trust him. In August 2000, at the age of 70, Paul passed the SPEX exam to obtain his Hawaii Medical license. His attempt to bring the Ultrafast CT Scanner (a simple test detecting atherosclerotic plaques in the heart) had failed in Spokane and the work in Hawaii was an attempt to recover costs. Even 39 years after his original boards, he passed every medical category. He studied hard and remained positive. These late-in-life studies made Paul feel much more relevant to the clients he would be meeting in Honolulu. He laughed, �My best score was cardiology.� He was a life-long learner, avid reader, and open-minded person who always embraced new thinking and layered conversation. His family and friends will miss his twinkling eyes, his great smile, his measured and kind voice, and his intellect. Paul is survived by Sharma, his closest friend and wife of 45 years; Children: Gayle Terry (Greg Reese), Lisa (Steve) McLain, Sherilynn (Dan) Bare, John Paul (JP) (Astrid Vidalon) Shields, Sharma Shields (Sam Mills); Grandchildren: Paul, Brent, Colin, Harrison, Riley, Ian, Zack, Henry, Louise and Vicente; Virginia Shields (Mother of Gayle, Lisa and Sherilynn); four great grandchildren: Paulo, Naelanni, Jaime, Reese; and one great-great granddaughter: Jeniss. The future of cardiovascular students was always special to Paul. Instead of flowers, he would love a donation to: Community Colleges of Spokane Foundation, J. Paul Shields Endowment; PO Box 6000 Spokane WA 99217-6000 or a charity of your choice. At his request and COVID restrictions, no service or gathering will take place at this time. � To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of John, please visit our Tree Store
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