Dr. Howard Shackelford, MD

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• Position-induced internal jugular vein thrombosis.
• Hydraulic stretcher reduction technique for anterior dislocation fo the shoulder.

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Get to know Cardiothoracic Surgeon Dr. Howard Shackelford, who serves patients in Wheeling, West Virginia.

Dr. Shackelford is a well-versed cardiothoracic surgeon with experience in general surgery, thoracic surgery, cardiovascular surgery, breast surgery, and trauma surgery. He serves as Chairman of Cardiac, Thoracic, and Vascular Services at Wheeling Hospital.

Wheeling Hospital, founded in 1850, has served patients longer than any other hospital in West Virginia. Today, it is a 223-bed acute care facility with a medical staff of nearly 300 primary care and specialty physicians. The hospital provides a wide array of primary and tertiary care services, including: Emergency/Trauma Care; Cardiac Care, including interventional cardiology, TAVR, open heart surgery, electrophysiological studies and treatments, and cardiac rehab; accredited Comprehensive Cancer Care featuring the internationally recognized Schiffler Cancer Center; Surgical Services; Comprehensive Breast Care; The Center for Pediatrics; Ob/Gyn, including high-risk pregnancy services; Women’s Center with advanced 3D mammography units; Physical Therapy and Rehab, including occupational, physical, speech, and hand therapy; sports medicine; Corporate Health and wellness programs; Center for Audiology; and Medical Park Pharmacy, offering services to the public.

In addition to practicing medicine, Dr. Shackelford has been an advocate for Physician Assistant (PA) practice and education, and PAs are part of his team. He sits on the Advisory Board for the College of Sciences, the Advisory Committee for the Physician Assistant program development, and has been a member of the Board of Governors for West Liberty University. He was instrumental in initiating the PA program development at West Liberty University. 

Among Dr. Shackelford’s memberships include: the Society of Thoracic Surgeons, the Society of Critical Care Medicine, the Society for Laparoendoscopic Surgeons, the American Society of Breast Surgeons, the American Society of Professionals in Patient Safety, and the City of Hope Clinical Cancer Genetics Community. 

Maintaining fellowship status, he is a Fellow of the American College of Cardiology (FACC), a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons (FACS), and a Fellow of the American College of Angiology (FACA). 

A Wheeling native, Dr. Shackelford earned a bachelor’s degree at West Liberty State College, and received his medical degree at West Virginia University School of Medicine in 1976. His thoracic and cardiovascular surgery residency was performed at Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh. 

Dedicated to excellence in heart health, the doctor is board-certified in thoracic and cardiac surgery by the American Board of Thoracic Surgery, which is an American surgical organization devoted to surgery of the chest.

Furthermore, he is board-certified in surgery by the American Board of Surgery, an independent, non-profit organization located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, founded for the purpose of certifying surgeons who have met a defined standard of education, training, and knowledge.

Cardiothoracic surgery is the field of medicine involved in the surgical treatment of organs inside the thorax. Cardiothoracic surgeons are medical doctors who specialize in surgical procedures inside the thorax, which may involve the heart, lungs, esophagus, and other organs in the chest. Alongside performing surgery, they also diagnose and treat diseases of these organs. 

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