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Dr. Virginia Oliva Shaffer, MD

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Specializes in: General Surgery, Oncology (Cancer Care) and Colon & Rectal Surgery

University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, School of Medicine

Professional interests include: cancer, diverticular disease, colorectal cancer, and more.

5758 S. Maryland Avenue
Chicago, IL 60637

1-888-824-0200

Dr. Virginia Oliva Shaffer, MD is a general surgeon in Chicago, IL specializing in general surgery, oncology (cancer care) and colon & rectal surgery. She graduated from University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, School of Medicine. Dr. Virginia Oliva Shaffer, MD is affiliated with The University of Chicago Medicine, UChicago Medicine and THE EMORY CLINIC, INC.

Office Locations

Address:

5758 S. Maryland Avenue
Chicago, IL 60637

Address:

5841 S Maryland Avenue
Chicago, IL 60637

Address:

6701 W. 159th Street
Tinley Park, IL 60477

Some issues Dr. Virginia Oliva Shaffer, MD can help you with:

Colonoscopy

Colonoscopy is the use of a special tool called a colonoscope (a thin, flexible tube with a camera on the end) to examine the inside of the colon and rectum. The tube is typically inserted anally, and it allows the physician to examine the large intestine from the inside. It may be done at any time to diagnose bowel problems, but routine colonoscopies are advised after the age of 50 to screen for colon cancer.

A colonoscopy may be performed to diagnose:

Intestinal ulcers
Polyps
Bowel cancer
An unidentified source of pain or bleeding in the intestine

Patients may be asked to drink only liquids in the days before a colonoscopy, or they may be given an enema to remove residual fecal matter. Before the exam, patients are given medication to help them relax, and then lay on their side on a table. The scope is inserted into the anus and gently moved all the way through the large intestine. Air may be pumped into the intestine to improve the view for the physician. Any polyps that are found will be removed. Then the colonoscope will be withdrawn. A colonoscopy is not usually painful, but patients may feel some bloating or have some cramps right afterward. If patients have polyps removed, they might experience a small amount of bleeding. Any side effects should go away within a few hours.

Robotic Surgery

Robotic surgery is a type of minimally invasive surgery, using a tiny opening to get inside the body instead of making a large cut. It uses small tools attached to a thin robotic arm, which is controlled by the surgeon. Robotic surgery may be referred to by the specific kind of robot that is used. The most advanced robot currently in use is called the da Vinci, and surgery using it is sometimes called da Vinci surgery.

There are many benefits to robotic surgery, both for the patient and the surgeon. Robotic surgery allows for more precise movements and increased control during very delicate surgical procedures. This makes performing surgery accurately much easier for surgeons and reduces fatigue. The smaller 'hand' of the robot can enter the body via a much smaller opening, which reduces the risk of infection and scarring and leads to a faster recovery. The robotic hands also contain tiny moveable cameras among their tools, giving surgeons a much closer view of the procedure than would be possible with traditional surgery.

In The News

“The study "gives numbers to a trend that seems to be happening over the last decade,"Dr. Virginia Shaffer, a colorectal surgeon and associate professor in Emory University's Winship Cancer...”—"Study shows 'concerning' spike in anal cancer among Americans", New York Post, November 2019

“The study, published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, "gives numbers to a trend that seems to be happening over the last decade," said Dr. Virginia Shaffer, a colorectal surgeon and...”—"Anal Cancer Rates, Deaths Are Climbing In The US, Study Says", CBS San Francisco, November 2019

doctor visit	112
gastrointestinal procedures	72
hospital care	10
inpatient care	10
minimally invasive procedures	72
preventive care	11

**Gender**
Male	56
Female	102

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	106
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	68
From 75 to 84	31
85 and over	17
Less than 65	42

Hypertension	68
High Cholesterol	42
Stroke	8
Ischemic Heart Disease	32
Depression	25
Chronic Kidney Disease	39
Asthma	11
Osteoperosis	9
Atrial Fibrilation	11
Heart Failure	23
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	13
Diabetes	28
Dementia	10
Cancer	20

doctor visit	73
gastrointestinal procedures	23
minimally invasive procedures	23

**Gender**
Male	50
Female	73

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	80
Black	32
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	47
From 75 to 84	0
85 and over	0
Less than 65	39

Hypertension	72
High Cholesterol	47
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	36
Depression	20
Chronic Kidney Disease	41
Asthma	0
Osteoperosis	0
Atrial Fibrilation	0
Heart Failure	21
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	0
Diabetes	25
Dementia	9
Cancer	16

doctor visit	124
gastrointestinal procedures	44
minimally invasive procedures	44
preventive care	9

**Gender**
Male	114
Female	182

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	204
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	136
From 75 to 84	0
85 and over	0
Less than 65	82

Hypertension	71
High Cholesterol	51
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	34
Depression	27
Chronic Kidney Disease	42
Asthma	9
Osteoperosis	16
Atrial Fibrilation	9
Heart Failure	15
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	9
Diabetes	30
Dementia	0
Cancer	18

doctor visit	128
gastrointestinal procedures	38
minimally invasive procedures	38
preventive care	9

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	102
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	58
From 75 to 84	41
85 and over	0
Less than 65	0

Hypertension	71
High Cholesterol	36
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	29
Depression	37
Chronic Kidney Disease	33
Asthma	20
Osteoperosis	10
Atrial Fibrilation	12
Heart Failure	18
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	17
Diabetes	32
Dementia	11
Cancer	14

doctor visit	91
gastrointestinal procedures	22
minimally invasive procedures	22

**Gender**
Male	43
Female	83

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	86
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	50
From 75 to 84	0
85 and over	0
Less than 65	41

Hypertension	69
High Cholesterol	34
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	25
Depression	34
Chronic Kidney Disease	39
Asthma	0
Osteoperosis	9
Atrial Fibrilation	10
Heart Failure	13
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	13
Diabetes	31
Dementia	11
Cancer	23

diagnostic procedures	14
doctor visit	130
gastrointestinal procedures	27
minimally invasive procedures	27
removal of lesion (e.g. growth)	14

**Gender**
Male	54
Female	93

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	91
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	48
From 75 to 84	39
85 and over	12
Less than 65	48

Hypertension	73
High Cholesterol	50
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	38
Depression	29
Chronic Kidney Disease	52
Asthma	0
Osteoperosis	12
Atrial Fibrilation	8
Heart Failure	24
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	15
Diabetes	28
Dementia	8
Cancer	29

diagnostic procedures	12
doctor visit	121
gastrointestinal procedures	35
hospital care	11
inpatient care	11
minimally invasive procedures	35
preventive care	10
removal of lesion (e.g. growth)	12

**Gender**
Male	68
Female	90

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	105
Black	38
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	72
From 75 to 84	0
85 and over	0
Less than 65	39

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	49
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	37
Depression	32
Chronic Kidney Disease	43
Asthma	8
Osteoperosis	0
Atrial Fibrilation	13
Heart Failure	23
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	16
Diabetes	30
Dementia	8
Cancer	31

diagnostic procedures	15
doctor visit	105
gastrointestinal procedures	30
minimally invasive procedures	30
removal of lesion (e.g. growth)	15

**Gender**
Male	60
Female	74

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	92
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	61
From 75 to 84	33
85 and over	14
Less than 65	26

Hypertension	72
High Cholesterol	53
Stroke	9
Ischemic Heart Disease	33
Depression	24
Chronic Kidney Disease	43
Asthma	0
Osteoperosis	10
Atrial Fibrilation	11
Heart Failure	18
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	10
Diabetes	29
Dementia	16
Cancer	33

diagnostic procedures	11
doctor visit	208
gastrointestinal procedures	35
minimally invasive procedures	35
removal of lesion (e.g. growth)	11

Average Medicare Procedure Volume From 2013 - 2021

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Virginia Oliva Shaffer, MD for Medicare patients.

The highest averages for the top procedures that Dr. Virginia Oliva Shaffer, MD treated as a general surgeon in Chicago, IL were minimally invasive procedures, gastrointestinal procedures, removal of lesion (e.g. growth) and diagnostic procedures.

diagnostic procedures	13
doctor visit	123
gastrointestinal procedures	39
hospital care	10
inpatient care	10
minimally invasive procedures	39
preventive care	10
removal of lesion (e.g. growth)	13

Average Medicare Patient Data From 2013 - 2021

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Virginia Oliva Shaffer, MD.

**Gender**
Male	49
Female	79

**Ethnicity**
Black / African American	7
Asian / Pacific Islander	0
Non-Hispanic White	86
Native American / Alaskan Native	0
Hispanic	0
Other	0

**Age**
75 to 84	14
85 and over	4
Less than 65	31
65 to 74	54

Average of Total of Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Virginia Oliva Shaffer, MD From 2013 - 2021

The highest averages of the most common conditions of Medicare patients that Dr. Virginia Oliva Shaffer, MD treated were hypertension, high cholesterol, chronic kidney disease and ischemic heart disease.

Hypertension	57
High Cholesterol	36
Stroke	1
Ischemic Heart Disease	26
Depression	22
Chronic Kidney Disease	33
Asthma	4
Osteoporosis	6
Heart Failure	15
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	9
Diabetes	23
Atrial Fibrillation	7
Cancer	18
Dementia	7

Education & Training

Dr. Virginia Oliva Shaffer, MD graduated from University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, School of Medicine. She completed residency at Emory University Affiliated Hospitals. She has a state license in Illinois.

Medical School: University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, School of Medicine

Residency: Emory University Affiliated Hospitals

Licensed In: Illinois

Affiliations & Hospitals

Dr. Virginia Oliva Shaffer, MD is associated with these hospitals and organizations:

The University of Chicago Medicine

UChicago Medicine

THE EMORY CLINIC, INC

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General Payments

These charts describe general payments received by Dr. Virginia Oliva Shaffer, MD. Doctors may receive payments for a number of reasons, including meal compensation, travel compensation, and consulting.

**Payments by Company**
Covidien LP	$10,011 $10,011
Intuitive Surgical, Inc.	$7,107 Da Vinci Surgical System $7,107
Davol Inc.	$44 ARISTA AH FLEXITIP $44
Applied Medical Resources Corporation	$26 $26
W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.	$25 SYNECOR Biomaterial $25

**Types of Payments**
Education	$5,750
Consulting Fee	$3,850
Compensation for services other than consulting, including serving as faculty or as a speaker at a venue other than a continuing education program	$3,850
Travel and Lodging	$1,960
Food and Beverage	$1,804

Biography

Dr. Virginia Shaffer is a medical specialist in general surgery, oncology (cancer care), and colon & rectal surgery. Her areas of expertise include the following: cancer surgery, diverticular disease, and rectal cancer. She studied medicine at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, School of Medicine. For her professional training, Dr. Shaffer completed a residency program at a hospital affiliated with Emory University. She is affiliated with The University of Chicago Medicine.