Francis H Shen, MD
Spine Surgery
Additional Locations
Bio & Overview
Dr. Shen cares for patients with spinal pathology through a combination of both operative and nonoperative techniques. When surgery is required, Dr. Shen combines both traditional open surgical techniques with cutting-edge minimal invasive techniques individualized to the patient's specific spine pathology. Dr. Shen's lab is also improving the future of patient care by applying tissue engineering principles to solve clinically relevant problems. He is dedicated to advancing the future of spine surgery by training not only post-doctorate research fellows, but also training the next generation of clinical spine surgeons as well.
Dr. Shen has special expertise in surgery of the cervical, thoracic and lumbosacral spine, including anterior and posterior approaches. He also manages degenerative conditions, spinal deformity, trauma, tumors and infections of the spine. In addition to traditional open surgery, Dr. Shen also specializes in minimally invasive surgery, image guided spine surgery and microsurgery.
Academic Information
- Department
- Orthopedic Surgery
- Academic Role
- Professor
- Division
- Orthopedics-Spine
- Research Interests
- Spinal fusion, spinal cord injury and regeneration
- Gender
- Male
- Languages
- English
- Age Groups Seen
- Adults (21-65)
Older Adults (65+)
- Primary Education
- University of Virginia School of Medicine
- Residency
- University of Virginia School of Medicine
- Fellowships
- University of Virginia School of Medicine
- Certification
- American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery (Orthopaedic Surgery)
- Appointment
- Chief - Spine Division, Department of Orthopedic Surgery
Highlights
FRANCIS SHEN: I'm Frank Shen. I'm the division head of spine surgery at the University of Virginia. I started my education in engineering. And I really enjoyed it a lot. But as I went through engineering, I really wanted to apply it to working with people. And the natural fit between engineering working with people is orthopedics. My elective practice the spine surgery. So I do manage a spine-- both trauma tumors, infections, and elective degenerative spine, spinal deformities, all aspects of the spine. We try to care for our patients as if they were us or a family member of mine. Philosophically, I really try to maximize everything we can beforehand, therapy, medications, injections if necessary. And sometimes those are the right answers, but other times other things such as surgery might be necessary. The biggest advantage to come into the university, especially in departmental orthopedics, is comprehensive care. We can manage you from all aspects of your muscular problems. Each day when we see our patients back, seeing how happy they can be and what difference we can make keeps us going.
Awards
- 2019 Best Bedside Manner Awards, OurHealth Charlottesville and Shenandoah Valley Magazine; First Place, Surgery – Spine
- 2016-2020 Best Doctors in America® List
- 2009 Scoliosis Research Society Traveling Fellowship
- 2008 Young Investigator Award, Spine
- 2007 Academy of Distinguished Educators
- 2007 VOS Best Paper Award
- 2007 Outstanding Clinical Paper, Spine Journal
- 2007 Outstanding Basic Science Winner, Spine Journal
- 2006 Outstanding Basic Science Winner, Spine Journal
- 2005 US Bone Joint, Decade Young Participant
- 2004 North American Spine Society Traveling
- Fellowship in Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery
- 2003 Cervical Spine Research Society Basic Science Award-3rd place
- 2002 Charles W. Miller Orthopaedic Teaching Award
- 2001 Leonard Marmor Surgical Arthritis Foundation Award
Reviews
702 Patient Satisfaction Ratings
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