Carol Lally Shields, M.D. is a world-renowned ocular oncologist and the co-director of oncology service at Wills Eye Hospital in Philadelphia. She is the author or co-author of five textbooks, over 700 articles in major journals, and more than 140 textbook chapters. Dr. Shields was the first woman to receive the Donders Medal (in 2004), presented by the Netherlands Ophthalmologic Society every five years to an ophthalmologist of world fame and outstanding merit. She received her medical degree from the University of Pittsburgh in 1983.

Dr. Shields completed a degree in preprofessional studies while at Notre Dame. She was also a member of the first women's varsity basketball team and was the first female student-athlete to receive the Byron Kanaley Award for excellence in academics and leadership, the highest honor given to Notre Dame student-athletes. She has been a member of the Science Advisory Council at Notre Dame since 1989 and served as a member of the board of directors of the Monogram Club from 2005-2008.

In the summer of 2010 she mentored Emily Kolbus ’11 who spent two months conducting research at the Wills Eye Hospital. Kolbus’ internship included shadowing Shields and observing sophisticated enucleation and exoneration surgeries, as well as plaque radiotherapy, removal of conjunctival tumors and orbital tumors, and eyelid reconstruction. Together, along with Dr. Carolos Bionciotto, they published the case study, “Conservative Treatment of Ciliary Body Melanoma with Extraocular Extension. “Dr. Shields sets a great example of what an individual can accomplishment with the drive, determination, and heart that guides all Notre Dame students and alumni,” Kolbus said.