From chronic headache management to Multiple Sclerosis, our staff are there for you to provide our personalized care and professional expertise.
Dr. Stuart J. Shafer and Stacy Smith, PA-C, are honored to practice Neurology in Indian River County since 1997, respectively. They believe that each individual patient is not just a number or a chart full of papers, but a part of our family.
We know all too well that choosing a medical provider is no trivial task. Therefore, we thank you for choosing Vero Beach Neurology and Research Institute for your Neurological needs and look forward to assisting you.
Vero Beach Neurology and Research Institute (VBNRI) opened its doors in September 2016. Previously operating as part of a neuromusculoskeletal multi-specialty group since 1997, Dr. Stuart James Shafer and his team have been providing neurological care services to Vero Beach and surrounding communities for over 20 years.
Dr. Shafer and his team at VBNRI treat all conditions of the nervous and muscular systems. Commonly treated neurological conditions include Alzheimer’s disease and all forms of dementia, Parkinson’s disease and related movement disorders, Cerebrovascular disease and stroke, migraine and other headache disorders, fibromyalgia and neuralgia, peripheral neuropathy including diabetic neuropathy, Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy (CIDP), Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) , disorders of the spine including spinal stenosis and disc disease, neuromuscular diseases including myositis and Muscular Dystrophy, epilepsy and seizures, Multiple Sclerosis, dizziness and vestibular disorders, Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus (NPH), Lou Gehrig’s disease (ALS), brain tumors and Myasthenia Gravis.
Dr. Shafer and his team at VBNRI have taken a special interest in Multiple Sclerosis. In 2000, Dr. Shafer founded the MS Center of Vero Beach (MSCVB), recognized as a comprehensive center focused on the treatment of patients with Multiple Sclerosis. The MS Center of Vero Beach is recognized by the National MS Society as a center of excellence and in 2017 Dr. Shafer was the societies Central Florida Chapter practitioner of the year. Dr. Shafer is a nationally recognized expert in Multiple Sclerosis and currently is a speaker consultant and advisor to multiple pharmaceutical companies. Stacy Smith, PA-C is also a nationally recognized certified specialist in Multiple Sclerosis.
Since 2001, Dr. Shafer has been involved in national and international clinical research trials that study not only multiple sclerosis but also Parkinson’s disease, Stroke, Migraine and Epilepsy. With Geodyssey Research both VBNRI and the MSCVB are actively involved in ongoing research and recruitment of patients into clinical trials.
As our practice and research demands increased and with a philosophical desire to provide a care environment unique to neurology patients and their families, Dr. Shafer ventured into private practice forming VBNRI. Since that time, Dr Shafer and his teams’ primary mission is to provide a patient centered care environment for patients and their families alike. Dr. Shafer and Stacy Smith PA-C have nearly 50 years of combined experience and expertise in treating neurological conditions.
Dr. Shafer has recently founded Mind and Body of Vero. It has been a dream and a passion of his to bring integrative medical services to complement the care of his patients and to the community at large. It is through Mind and Body of Vero that we will be able to treat the whole patient, both in mind and body. Mind and Body of Vero will provide IV nutrient therapy, Massage techniques, as well as Mindfulness, YOGA and Meditation. Mind and Body of Vero services will be available to all patients and residents of Vero Beach and surrounding communities and not just patients of Dr Shafer.
Vero Beach Neurology and Research Institute, the MS Center of Vero Beach, and Mind and Body of Vero take pride in providing the area’s premier, state of the art, evidence base, personalized, compassionate and comprehensive neurological care services in a relaxed, professional and comfortable environment.
We’re dedicated to providing high-quality, patient focused neurological care and our staff helps us provide the highest level service. Learn more about out doctors, staff and research team.
Dr. S. James Shafer, a local resident since 1977, has practiced Adult Neurology in Vero Beach and the surrounding area since 1997.
Stacy, a lifelong area resident, completed her Physician Assistant training in 2000, joining Dr. Shafer upon graduation.
A medical team would not be complete without a comprehensive medical staff. We are honored to work along side some of the best in the business.
Our Research Clinic has participated in over 40 National and International trials of which Dr. Shafer has been a Principal Investigator or Sub-Principal Investigator. We currently are enrolling patient in the following clinical trials.
