Biography

Dr. Joseph Schaffer – Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology – is Chief of the Division of Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery and Medical Director of the Division's university practice. He is also Chief of the Division of Gynecology. Dr. Schaffer holds the Frank C. Erwin, Jr. Professorship in Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Dr. Schaffer completed his residency in obstetrics and gynecology at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia and then trained in the Advanced Pelvic Surgery Fellowship at the Cleveland Clinic. Subsequently, he obtained additional training in urogynecology and urodynamics at Kings College Hospital in London. After practicing urogynecology at the University Medical Center at Stony Brook in New York, he joined the faculty at UT Southwestern Medical Center in 1997.

Dr. Schaffer is a Fellow of the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, a Diplomate of the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology, and a member of the American Urogynecologic Society, the International Continence Society, and the American Association of Gynecologic Laparoscopists. He is past president of the Society of Gynecologic Surgeons.

Dr. Schaffer has written and lectured widely on the subjects of urinary incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse.

Education

PR -Medical/Dental School
University of Cincinnati College of Medicine
Medical School
University of Cincinnati College of Medicine (1987)
Internship
Thomas Jefferson University (1988), Obstetrics & Gynecology
Residency
Thomas Jefferson University (1991), Obstetrics & Gynecology
Fellowship
Cleveland Clinic Foundation (1992), Advanced Pelvic Surgery
Other Post Graduate Training
University of Texas at Dallas (2015)

Research Interest

  • Childbirth Related Pelvic Floor Injury
  • Non-Surgical and Surgical Management of Prolapse and Incontinence
  • Pathophysiology of Pelvic Organ Prolapse and Urinary Incontinence

Publications

Featured Publications LegendFeatured Publications

The natural history of posterior vaginal wall support after abdominal sacrocolpopexy with and without posterior colporrhaphy.
Yau JL, Rahn DD, McIntire DD, Schaffer JI, Wai CY American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology 2007
Vascular anatomy of the presacral space in unembalmed female cadavers
Wieslander CK, Rahn DD, McIntire DD, Marinis SI, Wai CY, Schaffer JI, Corton MM. American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology 2006
Anatomical path of the tension-free vaginal tape: Reassessing current teachings.
Rahn DD, Marinis SI, Schaffer JI, Corton MM American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology 2006
Expression of human macrophage elastase in vaginal muscularis of women with pelvic organ prolapse
Marinis, S.I., Boreham, M.K., Keller, P., Wai, C., Corton, M.M., Nihira, M.A., Schaffer, J.I., Word RA American Journal of Physiology: Endocrinology and Metabolism 2006
A randomized trial of the effects of coached vs. uncoached maternal pushing during the second stage of labor on postpartum pelvic floor structure and function.
Schaffer JI, Bloom SL, Casey BM, McIntire DD, Nihira MA, Leveno KJ American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology 2005

Honors & Awards

  • CREOG National Faculty Award for Excellence in Resident Education
    UT Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas (1999)
  • Outstanding Faculty Award
    UT Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas (1999)
  • Faculty Teaching Award
    Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology University Medical Center at Stony Brook (1996)

Professional Associations/Affiliations

  • American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
  • American Urogynecologic Society
  • International Continence Society
  • International Urogynecology Association
  • Society of Gynecologic Surgeons