Joseph Schaffer, M.D.

Joseph Schaffer, M.D.

  • Frank C. Erwin Jr. Professorship in Obstetrics and Gynecology
  • Obstetrics and Gynecology - Urogynecology
  • Bladder/Voiding Dysfunctions
  • Surgical Treatment of Pelvic Floor Disorders

Biography

Joseph Schaffer, M.D., holder of the Frank C. Erwin Jr. Professorship in Obstetrics and Gynecology, is Chief of Gynecology at Parkland Memorial Hospital and UT Southwestern Medical Center, as well as Director of Gynecology and Director of Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery at UT Southwestern.

He completed his undergraduate studies at Wesleyan University and a pre-medical program at Columbia University. He earned his medical degree at the University of Cincinnati. His additional training included a residency in obstetrics and gynecology at Philadelphia’s Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, a fellowship in advanced pelvic surgery at the Cleveland Clinic, and a preceptorship in urodynamics and urogynecology at King’s College Hospital in London.

Dr. Schaffer is board certified in obstetrics and gynecology and female pelvic medicine and reconstructive surgery. He is a Fellow of the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Prior to joining the UT Southwestern faculty in 1997, Dr. Schaffer was Director of Urogynecology and Reconstructive Pelvic Surgery at University Medical Center–Stony Brook in New York.  

Dr. Schaffer has conducted extensive research on pelvic floor dysfunction, surgical outcomes, and surgical and nonsurgical treatments for incontinence and prolapse. His work has been published in numerous textbooks, books chapters, video presentations, and medical periodicals, and he is a frequent guest lecturer at regional, national, and international medical conferences.

He is a reviewer for the New England Journal of MedicineAmerican Journal of Obstetrics and GynecologyInternational Urogynecology JournalJournal of Lower Genital Tract DiseaseNeurourology & Urodynamics, and the Journal of Reproductive Medicine.

At UT Southwestern, he is Associate Director of the fellowship program in Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Pelvic Surgery and the Course Director of the annual update in Female Incontinence and Pelvic Organ Prolapse.

Dr. Schaffer is past president of the Society of Gynecologic Surgeons, and an active member of professional organizations including the American Urogynecologic Society, the American Association of Gynecologic Laparoscopists, the International Continence Society, and the International Urogynecology Association.

Personal Note

Dr. Schaffer was born and raised in New York and spends most of his nonworking hours with his wife, also a physician at UT Southwestern, and their two children. Together they enjoy traveling, snow skiing, visiting museums, and hanging out on the beach.

Meet Dr. Schaffer

Urogynecologist

When Joseph Schaffer, M.D., joined UT Southwestern Medical Center in 1997, he was the first fellowship-trained urogynecologist in Dallas.  Today there are many more, in part because Dr. Schaffer helps train these specialized physicians, who treat women with pelvic floor disorders, urinary incontinencepelvic organ prolapse, mesh-related complications, and irritative disorders of the lower genitourinary tract.

“Urinary incontinence and pelvic floor disorders may not kill you, but they can take away your life. We’re able to give patients back their lives.”

“We have a three-year female pelvic medicine and reconstructive surgery fellowship at UT Southwestern, and many of the urogynecologists now practicing in Dallas came through here,” says Dr. Schaffer.

In addition to being Chief of Gynecology at Parkland Memorial Hospital and at UT Southwestern Medical Center, as well as Director of Gynecology and Director of Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery at UTSW, Dr. Schaffer is a compassionate physician who believes in individualized care. His clinic offers a comprehensive approach to pelvic floor disorders, as well as surgical and nonsurgical treatments such as medication, physical therapy, and pelvic floor therapy.

Dr. Schaffer is one of the nation’s leading researchers in urogynecology and has been a principal investigator of the NIH Pelvic Floor Disorders Network and a co-investigator of The Urinary Incontinence Treatment Network.  He is the author of many scientific papers and textbooks, and is an editor of Williams Gynecology – one of the leading gynecology textbooks in the world.  Dr. Schaffer takes pride in being a referral source for patients from all over the United States.

“We believe in finding solutions rather than turning away patients if we can’t figure out what’s wrong,” he says.

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Education & Training
  • Other Post Graduate Training - University of Texas at Dallas (2014-2015)
  • Fellowship - Cleveland Clinic Foundation (1991-1992), Advanced Pelvic Surgery
  • Residency - Thomas Jefferson University (1988-1991), Obstetrics & Gynecology
  • Internship - Thomas Jefferson University (1987-1988), Obstetrics & Gynecology
  • Medical School - University of Cincinnati College of Medicine (1983-1987)
  • PR -Medical/Dental School - University of Cincinnati College of Medicine
Professional Associations & Affiliations
  • Society of Gynecologic Surgeons
  • International Urogynecology Association
  • International Continence Society
  • American Urogynecologic Society
  • American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
Honors & Awards
  • Faculty Teaching Award 1996, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology University Medical Center at Stony Brook
  • Outstanding Faculty Award 1999, UT Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas
  • CREOG National Faculty Award for Excellence in Resident Education 1999, UT Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas
Books & Publications
Research
  • Pathophysiology of Pelvic Organ Prolapse and Urinary Incontinence
  • Non-Surgical and Surgical Management of Prolapse and Incontinence
  • Childbirth Related Pelvic Floor Injury

Clinical Focus

  • Bladder/Voiding Dysfunctions
  • Surgical Treatment of Pelvic Floor Disorders
  • Non-Surgical Treatment of Pelvic Floor Disorders
  • Surgical Treatment of Pelvic Floor Dysfunction
  • Pelvic Organ Prolapse
  • Pelvic Floor Dysfunction

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Q&A by Dr. Schaffer