Mark E. Shaffrey, MD, FAANS a distinguished neurosurgeon and esteemed leader, passed away on December 4, 2024. Born on January 31, 1961, Dr. Shaffrey’s remarkable career and compassionate spirit left an indelible mark on the medical community and beyond.
Dr. Shaffrey graduated magna cum laude from Virginia Tech and received his medical degree from the University of Virginia (UVA), where he was elected to the Alpha Omega Alpha honor society. He completed his general surgical internship at Wilford Hall USAF Medical Center and neurosurgical training at the UVA. During residency, he completed a clinical neuropathology fellowship and a National Institutes of Health (NIH) postdoctoral fellowship in microvascular physiology. He also trained as a skull base surgery fellow in Ljubljana, Slovenia, and served as a neurosurgical registrar in Plymouth, England.
Following his postgraduate training, Dr. Shaffrey served as chief of neurosurgery at Keesler USAF Medical Center and was decorated with the Meritorious Service Medal. In 1997, he returned to the UVA as an associate professor of neurosurgery and founded the Neuro-Oncology Center. He was appointed chair of the Department of Neurosurgery in 2006 and served in this capacity until his passing. Dr. Shaffrey held the prestigious David D. Weaver Professorship in Neurosurgery at UVA, and also served as the Associate Chief Medical Officer for Perioperative Services since 2018.
His tenure at UVA was characterized by unwavering dedication to patient care, a focus on quality improvement and outcomes research, and mentorship of future neurosurgeons. Colleagues, resident physicians, and medical students alike remember him as a brilliant and tirelessly dedicated neurosurgeon whose kindness and leadership profoundly impacted those around him. UVA established the Dr. Mark Shaffrey Memorial Fund in honor of his legacy. This fund aims to continue his mission of excellence in neurosurgery, supporting initiatives that reflect his passion for advancing medical science and education.
On a national level, Dr. Shaffrey was committed to the advancement of neurosurgery through his work with the Neurosurgery Research & Education Foundation (NREF), the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS), the Congress of Neurological Surgeons (CNS), and the AANS/CNS Washington Committee. Dr. Shaffrey was commitment to advocacy and grassroots engagement. He played an integral role in NeurosurgeryPAC, the political action committee of the AANS, and served on the NeurosurgeryPAC Board.
His passion for continuous medical education, quality improvement, and empowering neurosurgeons was evident by his continuous involvement in directing courses at annual neurosurgical meetings, serving as an examiner for the oral boards certification process, and consistent involvement in outcomes research that impacted public policy. In recognition of his commitment and impact, NREF established a fund in his honor, dedicated to supporting spine Quality Outcomes Database (QOD) efforts.
Beyond his professional achievements, Dr. Shaffrey was a devoted family man. He is survived by his parents, Edwin and Eleanor Shaffrey; his wife of 39 years, Caroline; and their four children: Curran, Tori, Anne, and Aidan. His family and the five beloved dogs they shared were central to his life, reflecting his deep commitment to those he loved. His friends, colleagues, mentees, and family are gathering this weekend in his hometown of Charlottesville, Va., to pay tribute and recognize his many contributions.
Editor’s Note: We extend our sympathies to his family, friends, and the UVA Department of Neurosurgery community. Additional details about Dr. Shaffrey’s life and legacy can be found in his obituary.
Ashok R. Asthagiri, MD, FAANS
University of Virginia
Charlottesville, Va.
