Dr. Steven L. Shafer, MD, FASA

Steven L. Shafer, MD, FASA is an anesthesiologist at Stanford University School of Medicine in Stanford, California, where the focus of his work is clinical pharmacology of intravenous anesthetics. The current appointment of Dr. Steven Shafer is Professor Emeritus of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine.

Work in this area concentrates on pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of intravenous anesthetics, target-controlled infusion and computer-controlled drug delivery and propofol, remifentanil and opioid modelling.

An anesthesiologist is a fully qualified doctor responsible for anaesthesia, pain control and the monitoring of breathing, circulation and consciousness around an operation. Dr. Steven Shafer works within the field of clinical pharmacology of intravenous anesthetics.

Dr. Steven Shafer Professional Snapshot

• Full Name And Credentials: Steven L. Shafer, MD, FASA
• Specialty: Anesthesiology
• Subspecialty Focus: Clinical pharmacology of intravenous anesthetics
• Current Position: Professor Emeritus of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine
• Institution: Stanford University School of Medicine
• Location: Stanford, California

Dr. Steven Shafer Qualifications And Certification

The training record below is drawn from the institutional and society sources listed at the end of this profile.

• Undergraduate: AB in biology, Princeton University, 1978
• Medical Degree: MD, Stanford University School of Medicine, 1983
• Internship: Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, 1984
• Residency: Anesthesiology, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, 1986
• Fellowship: Clinical pharmacology, Stanford University School of Medicine, 1987
• Board Certification: American Board of Anesthesiology, 1987

Dr. Steven Shafer Practice Focus

Published professional sources describe the clinical and academic work of Dr. Steven Shafer as centred on:

• Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of intravenous anesthetics
• Target-controlled infusion and computer-controlled drug delivery
• Propofol, remifentanil and opioid modelling
• Research integrity and publication ethics
• Anesthetic drug safety

Dr. Steven Shafer Professional Appointments

• Professor Emeritus of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine, Stanford University
• Editor-in-Chief, ASA Monitor, American Society of Anesthesiologists
• Adjunct Associate Professor of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences, University of California, San Francisco
• Editor-in-Chief of Anesthesia and Analgesia from 2006 to 2016
• Member, International Editorial Board, British Journal of Anaesthesia
• Expert Reviewer, Medical Board of California
• Author of STANPUMP, the public domain infusion software underpinning modern target-controlled infusion systems

Distinctions Held By Dr. Steven Shafer

• Lifetime Achievement Award, International Society for Anaesthetic Pharmacology, 2011
• First editor of an anesthesiology journal to require statistical review of every manuscript
• Recognised for developing statistical methods that detect research fraud
• More than 200 peer-reviewed papers and over 100 reviews and editorials

Location And Contact Details For Dr. Steven Shafer

Stanford University School of Medicine

Stanford, California. Clinical commitments at this institution are arranged through its departments and preoperative services. Confirm the current street address, department and telephone number with the institution before travelling, because academic appointments and clinic sites change.

About Anesthetic Pharmacology As A Subspecialty

Anaesthetic pharmacology studies how anaesthetic drugs move through the body and what they do once they arrive, expressed as mathematical models. These models underpin target controlled infusion pumps and let clinicians predict when a patient will wake, which supports both safety and efficiency in theatre.

Specialists To Compare With Dr. Steven Shafer

If you are comparing specialists, these anesthesiologists work in closely related areas:

• Dr. Peter Kranke, evidence based perioperative care at University Hospital Wurzburg
• Dr. Emery Brown, anesthesia neuroscience at Massachusetts General Hospital and MIT
• Dr. Hugh Hemmings, anesthetic mechanisms at Weill Cornell Medicine and NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital
• Dr. Beverley Orser, anesthetic mechanisms at Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, and Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre

Browse the full anesthesiologist directory for more specialists.

Insurance And Scheduling Notes For Dr. Steven Shafer

Anesthesiologists are usually brought into a patient’s care by a surgeon, a hospital preoperative clinic or a pain service rather than through direct booking. Insurance participation varies by hospital and by plan, and it changes over time. Check coverage with both the institution and your insurer before scheduling, and ask whether the named anesthesiologist will personally be involved in your care.

Frequently Asked Questions About Dr. Steven Shafer

Is Dr. Steven Shafer board certified?

American Board of Anesthesiology, 1987. Patients and referring clinicians should confirm current licensure and certification status directly with the relevant medical board or hospital.

What position does Dr. Steven Shafer hold?

Dr. Steven Shafer is Professor Emeritus of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine, based at Stanford University School of Medicine.

What does an anesthesiologist do?

An anesthesiologist is a physician who plans and manages anaesthesia and pain control, and who monitors breathing, heart function, circulation and comfort during surgery and recovery. The role also covers preoperative assessment and critical care.

What is anesthetic pharmacology?

Anesthetic Pharmacology is the area of anesthesiology concerned with clinical pharmacology of intravenous anesthetics. Clinicians working in this area, including Dr. Steven Shafer, aim to make surgery and recovery safer and more comfortable.

Has Dr. Steven Shafer received professional recognition?

Yes. Lifetime Achievement Award, International Society for Anaesthetic Pharmacology, 2011. Further awards and distinctions are listed above.

Does Dr. Steven Shafer hold leadership roles in the specialty?

Yes. Professor Emeritus of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine, Stanford University. A fuller list of appointments appears above.

Information Sources For Dr. Steven Shafer

• Stanford Medicine faculty profile
• ASA Monitor, American Society of Anesthesiologists
• International Society for Anaesthetic Pharmacology

Review Status Of This Dr. Steven Shafer Profile

This profile was compiled from the public professional sources listed above, including institutional faculty pages, hospital provider directories and specialty society records. Credentials, appointments and awards were checked against at least two independent sources where available. Last reviewed on 30 October 2026.

Found something out of date? Contact the Find MD Health editorial team and we will review the entry.

Notice To Readers Of The Dr. Steven Shafer Profile

Information only, not medical advice. Location, specialty, insurance and availability change, so confirm details with Stanford University School of Medicine.