Dr. Schaffer earned his BS in Psychology at the University of Oregon and his MD at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine.   He completed his residency in Family Medicine in Spokane, WA and then ran a private clinic in Eugene, OR for 28 years.  He has stated that his philosophy in medicine involves humor, "I add humor whenever I can. I was lucky enough as a resident to spend a day with Patch Adams, you know, the famous laughter is the best medicine guru played by Robin Williams.   Patch Adams convinced me that laughter is a powerful therapeutic intervention."

He was born in California but raised in Anchorage, AK. When he was 22, he left Alaska and moved to Eugene, where he and his wife Gayle raised their 4 daughters.  In 2018, he accepted a position at a rural clinic in a town called Klawock, Alaska, near Craig on Prince of Wales Island 50 air miles due west of the nearest Emergency Room in Ketchikan.  

With his granddaughters in Southern Oregon, he and Gayle have decided to relocate back to Oregon and call Heppner home.  When asked about serving a rural community, he states "The opportunity to get to know patients who see me over and over again not only in clinic but also around town allows me to become a better provider and you the patient to receive better healthcare."

When not in clinic, he enjoys watching old movies, visiting family and friends, hiking, and traveling to the Oregon Coast.