Focus on Robert Shively, MD

Dr. Shively and residents pose for a photo op.

Dr Shively, what happened in the course of schooling to make you choose your specialty?

It really wasn’t my education that helped me to make that decision. I was drafted into the military after my general surgery residency - I guess I was the ideal guy for the Vietnam war. I was a battalion surgeon with two years of general surgery under my belt. I knew I wanted to do more medical training when I left the military and as I looked around, it looked to me that the guys that were having the most fun and enjoying themselves at their work, were the orthopedic surgeons. And they do! That’s why I picked it…and it turned out to be correct choice for me.

Which aspect of your practice is most interesting?

I’ve been involved in sports all of my life but never participated enough to be a professional athlete myself. Since I am in sports medicine, and have been for the last 25 years, I haven’t had to give up the locker room or give up sports. I’m always around players, so I can stay interested in the game, and I can stay around young people, who keep me renewed.

What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?

My dad said - Always tell the truth.

What lifestyle change could most benefit our health?

Eat less and do more.

You are originally from Vandalia, Illinois, from a farming community. Do you garden as a hobby?

Actually, languages are my hobby. I speak German and visit Germany almost every year. I can speak (somewhat) in French, Russian, Croatian, Italian. Latin and Arabic.

Also I remain actively involved in my sons’ former high school, St. John Vianney, here in St. Louis. (My boys are now 33 and 31 years old). I initially did sports training when they were students, but I’ve continued to be involved in supporting Vianney because they were so good to my sons.

What award/achievement most proud of?

I have had many papers published and professional awards, but to tell you the truth, the achievement I’m most proud of is not one of my own. I have a daughter who is learning disabled and has struggled through school. But this summer she graduated from Southern Illinois University in Carbondale. She worked very hard for that and I’m really proud of her for that. It’s probably more than anything she or anyone else ever thought she’d accomplish. It’s a real achievement and I am very pleased for her.