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Who We Are

History


Team HEAL's original web banner.

Founded by Clarence L. Shields Jr., M.D. in 1994, Team HEAL was developed as a direct result of the severely diminished statewide budget cuts to school sports programs. Before Team HEAL’s inception, Dr. Shields was the practicing team doctor for the Los Angeles Rams. During this time, Dr. Shields had been volunteering his services as team doctor to local inner-city high schools as well. The community had suffered the tragic loss of one football player due to heart complications after a game, and Dr. Shields had been approached on numerous occasions by school coaches asking him to provide medical care and surgeries pro-bono for injured athletes. After performing several medical treatments for students free of charge, Dr. Shields decided something more must be done for these unprotected student athletes. At that point, The Team HEAL Foundation was born, and it has since touched the lives of over 20,000 students. The foundation has worked with several high schools since its founding, but now provides its services to the 2,500 student-athletes at Banning, Carson, Crenshaw, and Manual Arts High Schools.

Our Founder

Clarence L. Shields, Jr., M.D.

Medical Director, Founder


As a guest lecturer, he has given more than 200 presentations at various medical association meetings, grand rounds and university seminars. Dr. Shields’ research is widely published in such journals as the Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, American Journal of Sports Medicine, Clinical Orthopaedics and Arthroscopy; and he has written several book chapters. Dr. Shield’s current research includes perioperative management in orthopedic surgery and posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) reconstruction.


  • Orthopaedic Surgeon, Associate, Vice President, Kerlan-Jobe Orthopaedic Clinic
  • Associate Clinical Professor of Orthopaedics, University of Southern California
  • President, American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine, 2001-2002
  • Godfather, American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine, 2004
  • Mr. Sports Medicine, American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine, 2006
  • Leadership Development Committee, International Arthroscopy Association
  • Appointed Committee Member, California State Athletic Commission’s Medical and Safety Standards Advisory Committee
  • Board Member, Board of Trustees, Loyola Marymount University, 1995-2005
  • Chair of the Student Life Committee, Loyola Marymount University, 2000-2005
  • Team Physician, Los Angeles RAMS, 1973-1995
  • Orthopaedic Consultant, St. Louis RAMS National Football League

Board of Directors

Medical Director:

Clarence L. Shields, Jr., M.D.

Executive Director:

Barbara J. Shields

President:

Doris M. Dillard

First Vice President:

Herbert Carter, Ph.D.

Second Vice President:

Cage Johnson, M.D.

Secretary:

Vange Felton

Treasurer:

Errol Collier, C.P.A.

Legal Counsel:

Larry E. Williams, Esq.

Members:

Clive Brewster
Rodney Gabriel, M.D.
Glenn Harvey
Dan Isaacs
Kevin Johnson
Paul King
Jay B. Lake, Esq.
Vernon Williams, M.D.

Our Certified Athletic Trainers

Dan Nevarez, M.S., A.T.C., Athletic Training Coordinator

Vicki Lim, A.T.C.



Seanta Cleveland, M.A.T., A.T.C.

Rachel Heiberg, M.S., A.T.C.