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Wen T. Shen

MD MA

Endocrine surgeon

Dr. Wen T. Shen is a surgeon who specializes in surgery of the thyroid, parathyroid and adrenal glands.

In research, Shen is interested in surgical education, medical humanities and the history of surgery.

Shen earned a bachelor's degree in history and science from Harvard University, graduating magna cum laude. At UCSF, he earned his medical degree and completed a residency in general surgery and a fellowship in endocrine surgery. He also completed a master's degree in the history of medicine at UCSF.

A UCSF faculty member since 2007, Shen is passionate about medical education, and serves as director of UCSF's residency program in general surgery and fellowship program in endocrine surgery. He also directs Endocrine Surgery University, an educational initiative sponsored by the American Association of Endocrine Surgeons.

Shen serves on the executive councils of the American Association of Endocrine Surgeons and Pacific Coast Surgical Association, and holds positions in the Pacific Coast Surgical Association and American College of Surgeons' Northern California chapter.

Shen has received numerous accolades for his work. His honors include the UCSF Department of Surgery's Fred H. and Esther E. Nusz Achievement Award; Pacific Coast Surgical Association's resident prize; American Association for the History of Medicine's William Osler Medal; and Harvard University's Robert and Maurine Rothschild Prize, conferred by the Department of the History of Science. He has also received many teaching awards from the UCSF Department of Surgery and UCSF School of Medicine. He has been invited to speak at numerous institutions, including Massachusetts General Hospital, McGaw Medical Center of Northwestern University, Columbia University's Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, and the University of Toronto.

  • Education

    UCSF, 1999

    UCSF, MA, History of Medicine, 2009

  • Residencies

    UCSF Medical Center, Surgery, 2007

  • Fellowships

    UCSF, Endocrine Surgery, 2005

  • Board Certifications

    Surgery, American Board of Surgery

  • Academic Title

    Professor

I strive to provide my patients with outstanding care both inside and outside of the operating room.

Where I see patients (1)

    My reviews

    4.9

    Overall Experience
    189 Ratings
    About our process
    Nov 04, 2023
    Awesome team very thorough and caring
    Oct 28, 2023
    Dr. Shen was very personable. He made me feel very comfortable immediately; although this was our first time meeting.
    Oct 08, 2023
    Good
    Sep 17, 2023
    Sometimes it takes me a bit of time to formulate my questions for Dr. Shen in the time we have during our office exams. I appreciate that he answers my follow-up questions in quick responses to my emails. His explanations are very helpful.
    Sep 16, 2023
    He invokes a sense of competence and of concern.
    Aug 28, 2023
    Dr. Shen was my 4th endocrinologist and the only one who listened well and then had a plan of action much needed surgery for my advanced stage of hyperparathyroidism. Kudos to Dr. Shen!
    Aug 28, 2023
    Dr. Shen was excellent!!! He's very knowledgeable and experienced in parathyroid issues and has a superb bedside manner! I thoroughly enjoyed my appointment with him and would highly recommend him to others seeking a parathyroid surgeon!
    Aug 27, 2023
    Great experurnce
    Aug 26, 2023
    Very caring empathetic and knowledgeable. If he wasn't confident in the area he let us know he was reaching out to another expert.
    Aug 22, 2023
    Exceptional!
    Aug 21, 2023
    I love Dr Shen!
    Aug 19, 2023
    I am very impressed with Dr. Shen. He listened and responded to my input. He is kind and concerned. I didn't feel rushed. Dr Shen explained my situation well and even pointed out what he was observing or not seeing on the in-office ultrasound. He also visualized a vein with a clot when I asked him to. He explained his plan of action to my satisfaction!
    Aug 19, 2023
    Frustrated that he didn't communicate with my doctor who referred me prior to the appointment and gave no answers or reassuring that he would help. I felt like he was not looking thoughtfully at my MRI and CT scans to help me understand or discuss anything because he was not prepared for the appointment with knowing my condition which felt minimized my condition by not seeing my condition as seriously deteriorating of my overall health. This has been a horrific year of extreme pain and suffering for me and struggling 4 years in trying to get diagnosed and just sad this visit felt like he was saying he would bring my case to adrenal board but made it seem like they may not want to care for my case.
    Jul 23, 2023
    Dr. Shen is an excellent communicator. I like the fact that he thinks outside the box. He doesn't see things in black and white. He has my full confidence that he will do what is best for me. He is the 4th endocrinologist I have seen; he is a keeper.
    Jul 03, 2023
    Dr. Shen listened carefully asked thoughtful questions and checked for my understanding in a respectful way. He explained in very clear ways without a hint of patronizing yet clearly he has deep expertise in his field. I feel safe in his hands and care.
    Jul 03, 2023
    Thanks Dr.Shen. I think you are going to give me my life back.
    Jun 26, 2023
    Everybody I met was top notch!
    May 22, 2023
    I received excellent services .
    May 20, 2023
    Of course I would recommend it
    May 11, 2023
    Best RN care prompt response for everything Best FOOD ever from UCSF even choice of non meat burger!!!
    May 08, 2023
    Excellent care. I had written down a few questions to ask but they were answered by the doctor on the call without my needing to ask.
    Mar 27, 2023
    Dr. Shen was friendly and provided excellent information and answers regarding my concerns and very thorough and knowledgeable responses of care and services.
    Mar 27, 2023
    Excellent he made me feel it is extremely intelligent very professional and made me feel heard
    Mar 18, 2023
    Dr. Shen is wonderful asked about follow up with primary Endo I had three days earlier. Discussed the results of surgery and pathology sent me a message prior to appointment on pathology. Gave time to ask questions and listened.
    Feb 19, 2023
    Thank you Dr Shen!
    Feb 18, 2023
    Listened and answered all questions and concerns I had. Informative-provided an understanding of my condition. Friendly.
    Feb 18, 2023
    This was my first experience at UCSF and it exceeded my expectations
    Jan 09, 2023
    I am thrilled with the doctor!! I'm so impressed with his demeanor and the way he spoke to me. It was as if we knew each other for years and he covered all the bases. When we were finished he asked me if I had any questions. I really like doctor Shen.
    Dec 10, 2022
    I appreciated that he shared my scan pictures and explained it to my wife and me. He max the scan process very interactive which was good because I could feel what the wand was moving around and appreciated knowing where he was going and talking through it.
    Dec 10, 2022
    Dr. Shen displayed an uncommon level of empathy and active listening. He explained the procedure clearly including potential risks and side effects.
    Oct 16, 2022
    Very thorough explained things well congenial
    Sep 26, 2022
    Very good experience
    Sep 10, 2022
    Dr. Shen is great he's knowledgeable professional and has a good personality.
    Sep 03, 2022
    Kind. Efficient. Listened. Arranged future testing and didn't tell e to "wait and see".
    Aug 27, 2022
    I couldn't have wanted better physicians anesthesiologist nurses etc. everyone was kind caring and extremely knowledgeable.
    Jul 11, 2022
    I'm confused with next steps in my healing process.
    Jul 09, 2022
    Dr. Shen is always very professional and f good bed side manner.
    Jul 09, 2022
    Dr. Shen is a wonderful person!!!
    May 19, 2022
    This was my first visit and I was very impressed with the results.
    May 18, 2022
    Dr. Shen was fantastic in skill knowledge & bedside manner!
    May 01, 2022
    Was unclear what relationship he had with the other provider in the room; was unable to load critical CT Scan DVD in the examination room was unable to have front office load it before ending consultation; gave conflicting/confusing info about benefit/risk/necessity of operation; relied on insufficient and/or outdated patient information from his records; did not ask for nor seemed to have newer records from my other physicians (family doctor endocrinologist/cardiologist/other) seemed more concerned about my apparent fitness (age weight exercise routine) than balanced risk assessment for procedure; impression was he was not interested in me as a patient as much as discouraging me from coming back any time soon. He succeeded.
    Mar 26, 2022
    Instructions were very clear (print out) which they went over with me.
    Feb 26, 2022
    Again Dr. Shen is the best! He's an 11 out of 10!

    Selected research

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