Mark Shaffrey, MD
It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Dr. Mark Edwin Shaffrey on December 4, 2024. Dr. Shaffrey served as the chair of the Department of Neurosurgery and held the esteemed David D. Weaver Professorship in Neurosurgery at the time of his passing. He leaves behind a legacy marked by professional excellence, unwavering dedication, and servant leadership, and has significantly influenced the field of neurosurgery.
Dr. Shaffrey began his tenure at the University of Virginia in 1997 as an associate professor of neurosurgery. In 2006, he was appointed chair of the department. Under his visionary leadership, the department’s reputation grew, its impact on neurological surgery became more prominent, and patient care accessibility improved. His vision statement for the department points to his passion for the residency program, committing to “…improving our curriculum and facilities, inspiring academic pursuits, and mentoring a new generation of leaders in academic neurosurgery.” He held the position as Associate Chief Medical Officer for Perioperative Services since 2018 in addition to serving on multiple committees within the UVA Health system, many in leadership roles.
Shaffrey also had a national presence in professional societies including the American College of Surgeons, American Board of Medical Specialties, American Association of Neurological Surgeons, and NeuroPoint Alliance, the national neurosurgery outcomes research database. Focusing his research on neuro-oncology and spine, Dr. Shaffrey authored more than 170 publications and served as the principal investigator for more than 40 funded grants and clinical trials. He contributed to the editorial board and served as a topic editor for the Self-Assessment in Neurological Surgery – an online learning resource and exam preparation tool for neurosurgeons – and reviewed for journals such as the Journal of Neurosurgery, Neurosurgery, Surgical Neurology, and Cancer.
Dr. Shaffrey graduated magna cum laude from Virginia Tech and earned his medical degree from the University of Virginia. He completed his general surgical internship at Wilford Hall USAF Medical Center and his neurosurgical training at the University of Virginia in 1994. During his residency, he undertook a clinical neuropathology fellowship and an NIH postdoctoral fellowship in microvascular physiology. Additionally, he trained as a skull base surgery fellow in Ljubljana, Slovenia, and served as a neurosurgical registrar in Plymouth, England. After completing his postgraduate training, Dr. Shaffrey served as chief of neurosurgery at Keesler USAF Medical Center.
We extend our heartfelt condolences to Dr. Shaffrey’s family, friends, and colleagues in the Department of Neurosurgery and across UVA Grounds during this difficult time. His remarkable contributions to the School of Medicine and the field of neurosurgery will be cherished for generations to come. The Mark E. Shaffrey Fund for Excellence in Neurosurgery has been established to ensure the legacy of Dr. Shaffrey continues.
More details about Dr. Shaffrey’s life and legacy may be found in his obituary.