Chelsea Shepherd is a nurse practitioner working with Dr. Michael LaBagnara and Dr. Jock Lillard.

Chelsea Shepherd, NP, brings more than 17 years of diverse healthcare experience to the Semmes Murphey neurosurgery team, where she specializes in caring for patients with a wide range of spinal conditions. She works in close collaboration with Dr. Lillard, who completed advanced fellowship training in minimally invasive and complex spine surgery, and Dr. LaBagnara, whose fellowship training focuses on complex spine surgery, spinal deformities, and scoliosis. Together, they deliver an evidence-based, personalized approach to spine care.

Chelsea is deeply committed to compassionate, patient-centered care. She develops individualized treatment plans that reflect each patient’s unique needs, concerns, and goals, with an emphasis on conservative management whenever appropriate. Having personally undergone a lumbar fusion, Chelsea offers a rare combination of empathy and expertise, guiding patients through every stage of their spine care journey with both professional knowledge and lived experience.

A native of the Mississippi Delta, Chelsea earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Delta State University, and her Master of Science in Nursing from St. Louis University. Her career spans multiple specialties, including service as a civilian contractor with the United States Air Force in Europe, where she cared for service members and their families. Her commitment to caring for others extends to international medical mission work, including time spent practicing in Tanzania.

Outside of her professional role, Chelsea enjoys hiking in the mountains, traveling to new destinations, and spending quality time with her family.