Dr. David J. Shaffer, MD, FACS

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Innovative Surgeon and Researcher Brings Extensive Experience and Vision for Advancing Transplant Outcomes

A distinguished leader in the field of kidney and pancreas transplantation, Dr. Shaffer is the Professor of Surgery and Surgical Director of the Kidney and Pancreas Transplant Program at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, Tennessee.

Board-certified by the American Board of Surgery and a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, he brings over three decades of expertise in transplantation and surgical practice. His clinical focus includes all aspects of kidney and pancreas transplantation as well as the complexities of dialysis access. 

Throughout his academic career, Dr. Shaffer earned his undergraduate degree from Yale University and his medical degree from Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons. He completed his surgical internship at Yale-New Haven Medical Center, followed by a residency in General Surgery. He further honed his skills with a Clinical and Research Fellowship in Transplantation at the New England Deaconess Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts. 

After completing his fellowship in 1988, he served as the Surgical Director of Kidney and Pancreas Transplantation and Associate Professor of Surgery at Harvard Medical School until 2001. His tenure at the New England Deaconess Hospital laid the groundwork for his future endeavors, culminating in his appointment as Chief of the Division of Kidney and Pancreas Transplantation at Vanderbilt from 2001 to 2020.

Recognized for his commitment to improving patient outcomes, Dr. Shaffer is at the forefront of clinical research, particularly in developing novel immunosuppression strategies aimed at minimizing risks and enhancing post-transplant results.

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