Perioperative Profiles is a new series on TopMedTalk. We aim to continue to release a profile each month, spotlighting the professional — and personal — journeys of leading perioperative practitioners and researchers. Each month we talk to a prominent figure in perioperative medicine, exploring how they came into the field, what shaped their careers, key challenges and successes, and how their work has contributed to evidence-based perioperative practice.

Steven Shafer is a world renowned Emeritus Professor of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine at Stanford University Medical Center.

In this episode of Top Med Talk, recorded live at ANESTHESIOLOGY® 2025, Andy Cumpstey and Kate Leslie discuss Dr. Shafer's incredible career in anesthesia. Hear about the journey from software engineering to being a pivotal figure in anesthetic pharmacology and becoming involved in a trial involving one of the world's most iconic pop stars.

Shafer speaks about his groundbreaking work in drug research, the mentorship of Donald Stanski, and his pride in the achievements of his fellows. The episode also delves into his tenure as the editor-in-chief of Anesthesia & Analgesia, uncovering major fraudulent research cases, and culminates with his expert testimony in the highly publicized Michael Jackson case. A blend of professional insights and personal stories, highlighting the challenges and triumphs in the field of anesthesia.

If you enjoyed this piece why not explore TopMedTalk's archive? We have over 2000+ unique podcasts covering the last seven years of perioperative medicine news and research.

Start with one of these from the Perioperative Profiles series:

Paul Myles:

TopMedTalk: Perioperative Profiles, Paul Myles

Ramani Moonesinghe:

TopMedTalk: Perioperative Profiles, Ramani Moonesinghe

Kate Leslie:

TopMedTalk: Perioperative Profiles - Kate Leslie

Monty Mythen:

TopMedTalk: Perioperative Profile Monty Mythen