Dr. S. James Shafer, a local resident since 1977, has practiced Adult Neurology in Vero Beach and the surrounding area since 1997.
Dr. S. James Shafer, a local resident since 1977, has practiced Adult Neurology in Vero Beach and the surrounding area since 1997.
From 1997 to 2016 Dr. Shafer practiced in a multi-specialty group and in 2016 ventured in solo practice and formed Vero Beach Neurology and Research Institute. He is the founder and Medical Director of The Multiple Sclerosis Center of Vero Beach that was formed in 2001 and has cared for thousands of MS patients world-wide. While he treats all Neurological Disorders he is an Nationally recognized MS specialist. He, additionally, has expertise in Cerebrovascular Disease and Stroke being the founding and current Medical Director of the Indian River Medical Center Stroke Program.
Dr. Shafer completed his Bachelor of Science in Food Science and Nutritional Biochemistry graduating summa cum laude at The University of Florida in Gainesville, Florida in 1988. He then graduated from Medical School at The University of Miami at Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami, Florida in 1993. This was followed by a one year Internal Medicine Internship at Jackson Memorial Hospital. Returning to Gainesville in 1994, he completed his residency in Adult Neurology in 1997 at The University of Florida at Shands Teaching Hospital.
Professional activities include being the current Department Chairman of Neurology and Psychiatry at Indian River Medical Center, Medical Director of the IRMC Stroke Program, Secretary of the Indian River County Medical Society, Board Member and Physician Volunteer to the WE CARE indigent care program of Indian River County and Associate Professor of Neurology at Florida State University Fort Pierce, Florida campus.
Dr.Shafer is actively involved in Neurological Research of MS, Stroke, Epilepsy and Parkinson Disease and has completed and served as a Sub-Principal Investigator in over 50 National and International clinical research trials. Additionally, he is a Speaker Consultant and Advisory Board Consultant to several major pharmaceutical companies.
He and his wife Helen are active community supporters that serve and support many charitable organizations: The Education Foundation, Association of Retarded Citizens (ARC), Youth Sailing Foundation, Wheels and Keels Foundation, Senior Resource Association (SRA), The Live Like Cole Foundation and others. Dr. and Mrs. Shafer are active supporters of The National Navy UDT-SEAL Museum.
Dr. Shafer has been married to his wife Helen for 30 years and together they have raised 5 children. Oldest daughter Ann-Marie and middle son Robert are in Vero Beach. Their oldest son Art lives in Miami and their youngest son Danny lives in Denver. Joanne the youngest lives in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. They have 4 grandchildren Allison and Charlotte in Vero Beach along with Hank and Audie in Denver.
Dr. Shafer, a life-long resident of Vero Beach, has been practicing Neurology here since 1997. Stacy Smith, PA-C joined him in 2000. Together they bring nearly 50 years of caring for patients of Vero Beach and the surrounding communities.
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.
At Vero Beach Neurology and Research Institute we are more than a doctor’s office, we are a group of caregivers that maintain, as our utmost priority, to provide personalized, compassionate and comprehensive evidence based neurological care and research. From our front desk staff, nurses, technologists, research team and clinical providers, we all take to heart your care and comfort during and throughout your patient experience. We treat, not only you as the patient, but your whole family as caregivers, spouses and family members also experience the life changing events associated with acute and chronic neurological illness. We are more than just a doctor’s office we are a family that treats you like family.
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 cares about your health and wellness. We’ve partnered with the premiere medical spa in Vero! Mind and Body of Vero finds the perfect melding of East meets West, and traditional meets modern for true integration of therapies. When visiting Mind & Body of Vero, you feel tucked away in a secluded paradise; a chic and modern medical spa with a touch of Vero seaside charm Vero is known for.
In October of 2016 Dr. Shafer started his solo practice Vero Beach Neurology and Research Institute (VBNRI). Along with the MS Center of Vero Beach, he founded in 2001, VBNRI cares for patients with a variety of neurological disorders.
Cognitive disorders primarily affect abilities including learning, memory, perception, and problem solving. Many of these disorders are degenerative and are exacerbated by the aging process.
Most, but not all cases of Epilepsy are characterized by a propensity of recurring seizures. Through proper treatment and monitoring, seizure activity can be reduced both in duration and frequency.
Roughly 12% of the U.S. population, almost 39,000,000 adults and children, suffer from Migraines. Migraines are painful and sometimes debilitating lasting several days or weeks.
Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a disease of the central nervous system that impedes the flow of information between the brain and body. Causes of MS are still unknown.
Parkinson’s Disease
Parkinson’s Disease is a degenerative disorder within the central nervous system that mainly effects motor functions. Through proper treatment and management symptoms can be relieved, but there is currently no cure for Parkinson’s Disease.
Stroke
The effects of a Stroke largely depend on where the stroke occurs within the brain and how much damage is done to the brain cells. Some survivors of Strokes recover completely, while most are left with disability.
Dr. Shafer, a life-long resident of Vero Beach, has been practicing Neurology since 1997. Stacy Smith, PA-C joined him in 2000. Together they bring nearly 50 years of caring for patients of Vero Beach and the surrounding communities.
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.
