Accepting new patients

Brett C. Sheppard, M.D., FACS

Accepting new patients

  • William E. Colson Chair of Pancreatic Disease Research
  • Professor of Surgery, Division of Gastrointestinal and General Surgery, School of Medicine

Expertise

  • Cancer
  • Digestive Health
  • Surgery

Special focus

  • Digestive Surgery
  • General Surgery
  • GI Tract - Upper (includes esophagus, stomach, gallbladder and biliary system)
  • Laparoscopic and Endoscopic Surgery
  • Nissen Fundoplication
  • Pancreatic Cancer
  • Surgical Oncology

Locations and contact

I see patients at

About me

I am a surgeon who specializes in pancreatic cancer and gastrointestinal surgery. I have advanced training in surgical oncology (cancer care).

As a fourth-year medical student, I met a patient who was preparing for pancreatic cancer surgery. He was very frightened because at that time, the surgery was risky and pancreatic cancer survival rates were not high. I became committed to reducing the risks of pancreatic surgery, finding ways to detect pancreatic cancer earlier, and improving pancreatic cancer treatment.

My relationship with patients and their families, and the challenges they face, give me the foundation to keep working. The biggest thanks I can receive is to watch patients enjoy their lives anew.

Outside of surgery, I am a trail runner, hiker and winter sports enthusiast. I would join a book club if it met between 10 p.m. and midnight.

Education and training

  • Degrees

    • M.D., 1984, University of Health Sciences, The Chicago Medical School

  • Residency

    • General Surgery, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, 1984-87, 1989-91

  • Fellowship

    • Surgical Oncology, National Institutes of Health/National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, 1987-89

  • Certifications

    • American Board of Surgery, 1992, recertification, 2010

Memberships and associations:

  • Alliance for Clinical Trials in Oncology
  • American Association of Endocrine Surgeons
  • American College of Gastroenterology
  • American College of Surgeons
  • American College of Surgeons Oncology Group (ACOSOG)
  • American Gastroenterological Association (AGA)
  • Americas Hepato Pancreato Biliary Association (AHPBA)
  • American Pancreas Association (APA)
  • American Surgical Association (ASA)
  • MIS Fellowship Council
  • North Pacific Surgical Association
  • Pacific Coast Surgical Association
  • Society of American Gastrointestinal Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES)
  • Society for Surgery of the Alimentary Tract (SSAT)
  • Society of Surgical Oncology (SSO)
  • Southwest Oncology Group (SWOG)
  • Surgical Outcomes Club (SOC)
  • Western Surgical Association
  • The Mackenzie Alumni Society
  • Multnomah County Medical Society
  • Portland Surgical Society
  • Oregon Medical Association
  • Oregon Chapter-American College of Surgeons
  • Association of Academic Endocrine Surgeons
  • The Pacific Coast Surgical Association
  • The North Pacific Surgical Association
  • The Society for Surgery of the Alimentary tract
Read faculty profile

Insurance

Before scheduling your appointment, we recommend you contact your insurance company to verify that the OHSU Health location or provider you plan to visit is included in your network. Your insurance company will also be able to inform you of any copayments, co–insurance, or deductibles that will be your responsibility. If you proceed in scheduling an appointment and your health insurance benefits do not participate with OHSU providers, your out of pocket liability may be higher. Visit the billing and insurance section of our site for more information.

Ratings and reviews

Overall: 4.8 out of 5 (263 Ratings, 112 Reviews)

The patient ratings score is an average of all responses to the question "How likely would you be to recommend this provider to your family and friends (on a scale of 0 to 10)" on our nationally-recognized NRC patient surveys.

  1. Dr. Sheppard is very knowledgeable and experienced in his field. He was very easy to converse with and to ask questions. He is calming and I felt good about the way he presented information to me.

  2. I was really appreciative that they could do the visit via Zoom so I didn't have to drive up to OHSU. Dr. Sheppard was very thorough, very compassionate, and very helpful. I would recommend him to anyone who was in a position where he could help. Thank you.

  3. This was my first appt with Dr Sheppard. First impressions is he is a knowledable and caring doctor

  4. Yes, I felt very supported by the entire team, nursing and physicians.

  5. Dr Shepherd was very personable, knowledgeable, and professional. Prescribed some vitamins he thought might help me with my pancreas condition Thank you Dr Shepherd

  6. Pleasent, answered my questions.

  7. I think that Dr. Sheppard is the best PC doctor i could possibly have to monitor me as a potential PC patient. He is so smart, personable, and easy to understand.

  8. Exceptional communication regarding the nature of the health issue and clarity in clarifying options for treatment

  9. Dr. Sheppard was personable, detailed and clear in his strategy for my treatment. He outlined the procedure in great detail, in terms I could understand. He left me and my family with a sense of peace heading into a complex procedure. Very thankful for him!

  10. Great experience

  11. It was our first visit and by phone but I am so far very pleased with him. He was king, informative and seemed caring and intelligent about my issues and most importantly he believes me

  12. Dr Shepard is beyond amazing. What a perfect world it would be if all physicians were like him with the best of intelligence and kindness combined.

  13. Yes, I'm not talking too good, but I certainly felt in good hands. I appreciated the doctor and his assistant. They knew exactly what I wanted to hear. And I am so glad that I happened to go in that direction. Thank you very much for a wonderful facility. Bye.

  14. Dr Sheppard has wonderful bedside manners. He's very patient and thorough with his explanation of what he would like to do. I have a very clear understanding of the procedure. All my questions were addressed.

  15. Dr. Sheppard is always caring, honest and direct. I count on him and his team, and am grateful to have his knowledge and humanity engaged for me.

  16. Appointment started on time. Educated me thoroughly on what I needed to know with what's happening with the operation that I'm going to have. Treated with respect and knowledgeable at their jobs at their jobs.

  17. Visit with Dr Sheppard was informative. He answered all my questions and spent the time needed to do so.

  18. Brett Sheppard is a very relaxed, confident medical professional. He shares confidence, experience, and optimism putting patient at ease. He listens and answers questions with easy to understand responses.

  19. He was friendly, took time to explain my situation and told me what to expect in terms we could understand. All staff were very friendly.

  20. Both important questions were asked & answered in a very pleasant manner. His patience & consideration was very appreciated. I feel that I'm in good hands. Thank you all at OHSU for your excellent care.

  21. All medical staff listened well, explained clearly and were compassionate.

  22. I had two physicians both assisted with my care. I felt they were very helpful and knowledgeable, kind and answered my questions.

  23. My experience at ohsu was welcoming. All the staff I met were polite and professional. And now I'm looking forward to my next visit!

  24. It was very informative and helpful

  25. Dr. Sheppard was warm and gracious and explained answers to my questions.

  26. Dr. Shepherd gave me great confidence and comfort that he can successfully perform an operation that may be the only way to extend my life.

  27. He was willing to take the time to answer all of my questions.

  28. Dr. Shepard was delightful, helpful, kind, and very personable. He couldn't have been any better, even though I'm not going to have surgery with him or with anybody else. I was very impressed with how comfortable and easy and friendly he was.

  29. Thorough, concise, informative, helpful.

  30. Caring staff and Dr .shepherd is a gifted , intelligent and very kind Doctor . I'm extremely Great -full to OHSU and Dr. Shepherd.. for ending my suffering.

  31. EVERYONE is courteous, competent and kind. Dr. Sheppard is nothing short of AMAZING.

  32. It was extremely enlightening about what I could do and different routes I could take to get to where I need to be.

  33. Dr. Shepard is brilliant, professional, and just what we needed, and so is his staff. Thank you.

  34. I was given the most info I have ever got from a Doctor. All the people I dealt with were very nice and helpful.

  35. Dr. Shepard was delightful! He was kind, he was thoughtful, he was knowledgeable, patient. I couldn't ask for a better doctor.

  36. Positive Doctors told me the truth of my surgery and what to expect.

  37. Dr Sheppard was prepared, knowledgeable and very patient with our long list of questions. I felt very confident in his recommendations.

  38. He cares about the patients. I trust him 100%. He is one of the reasons I am still alive.

  39. Dr. Sheppard was calm and compassionate. I have great confidence in his skills.

  40. Very professional in everything they do to care for all who require their services!

  41. Informative, professional but warm, caring, Dr Sheppard really advocated for me when my insurance denied procedure twice. He got it approved. Appreciate him very much

  42. I was well taken care of.

  43. Clear communication about my test results and what to do going forward

  44. I would send anyone to Dr. Brett Sheppard. He's taken care of my wife and I, I went to him for 10 years, several years ago, and he's an excellent doctor, and it has a great bedside manner. I trust him, I am trusting in with my life.

  45. It was a consultation,Dr Shepard was very thorough, conscious,caring; we were very pleased with the appointment and his assistant Laura!

  46. He was great. You felt like he had all the Time in the world to sit with you. He is a very kind manner and great bedside manner. I didn't have surgery, but he is helping me with my EPI. I am feeling better than I have in a very long time, I would recommend Dr. Shepard for anyone with these issues.

  47. Yes, my experience was, it was wonderful and...and I couldn't ask for anything better from...from him or his people and so, I was very, very happy with this.

  48. Dr. Sheppard and his team were careful listeners, wonderful at answering questions, knowledgeable and able to give me confidence I was making the right decision. Since appointment I have used My Chart and been kept informed and had my additional questions answered with no difficulties.

  49. The doctor and his interns listened, explained, and provided helpful information. Also, very caring.

  50. I was very impressed with his gentle concern and answering all my questions . Rare in a surgeon

  51. Excellent and prompt care. Thanks for taking care of me so well.

  52. Dr. Sheppard was thorough and professional. He answered my all my questions thoroughly. I appreciate him.

  53. Dr. Sheppard is exactly who I was hoping he would as my upcoming pancreatic surgeon. He is genuine, professional, brilliant, thoughtful and warm. I could not have a doctor with a better bedside manner. He has made me feel positive and confident that I could not be in better hands with something as terrifying as cancer, especially when I have 7 year old twins that need me. I feel truly fortunate and grateful.