Dr. Nancy Yen Shipley
“This is more than orthopaedics – it’s personalized restoration of the way the body serves us in all areas of life.”
Dr. Nancy Yen Shipley is a board-certified orthopaedic surgeon with advanced fellowship training in arthroscopy and sports medicine. She earned her undergraduate degree in Psychology from UCLA and discovered her path to medicine after an early career in the snowboarding industry and event planning. She went on to receive her medical degree from Drexel University College of Medicine in Philadelphia, followed by orthopaedic surgery residency at Virginia Commonwealth University. She completed her fellowship in minimally invasive sports and arthroscopic surgery at Orthopaedic Research of Virginia, where she gained specialized expertise in treating active patients across the lifespan.
Dr. Yen Shipley’s clinical approach is rooted in surgical precision, radical empathy, and whole-person performance care. In addition to her orthopaedic training, she has pursued advanced education in musculoskeletal ultrasound for both diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, as well as orthobiologic and regenerative medicine-including platelet-rich plasma (PRP), microfat (MFAT), and bone marrow aspirate therapies. Her patients benefit from this combined expertise, whether they are looking to avoid surgery, accelerate healing, or thrive through midlife and beyond.
Dr. Yen Shipley is experienced in caring for athletes of all levels and has served as a team physician for the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Team physician pool, US Olympic Team Track & Field Trials, Multnomah University, Portland Interscholastic League, IAAF World Indoor Track & Field Championships, University of Richmond, and the Virginia Special Olympics.
Beyond the clinic, Dr. Yen Shipley is the co-founder of SpeakUp Ortho and the Portland Menopause Collective, a sought-after speaker and event emcee, and the host of The 6% with NancyMD podcast. To explore her work in advocacy, education, and leadership, visit NancyMD.com.
See Dr. Yen Shipley’s full CV here.
Why I started Form & Function
Orthopaedics
Watch Dr. Nancy Yen Shipley explain her purpose and passion behind starting
Form & Function Orthopaedics.
“We also specialize in treating midlife women navigating the musculoskeletal impacts of hormonal shifts. Dr. Shipley understands the connection between perimenopause and joint pain-and brings expertise that’s often overlooked in conventional orthopaedics.”
About Dr. Nancy Yen Shipley Q&A
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Dr. Nancy Yen Shipley?
BMAC (bone marrow aspirate concentrate) is drawn from the patient’s own bone marrow, typically at the hip, and concentrated to isolate mesenchymal stem cells and growth factors. PRP is derived from blood. BMAC is generally positioned for more advanced cases or patients who need a stronger regenerative signal than PRP provides.
Where did Dr. Yen Shipley train?
She earned her medical degree from Drexel University College of Medicine, completed her orthopaedic surgery residency at Virginia Commonwealth University Health System, and completed fellowship training in orthopaedic sports medicine at Orthopaedic Research of Virginia.
Is Dr. Yen Shipley board certified?
Yes, she is board certified by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery (ABOS).
What is Dr. Yen Shipley’s clinical focus?
Her focus is joint preservation for active adults and midlife athletes: exhausting evidence based non-surgical options before considering joint replacement, minimally invasive shoulder and knee surgery, and a full regenerative toolkit including PRP, BMAC, and Class IV laser therapy.
Does Dr. Yen Shipley treat athletes or work with sports teams?
Yes. Over the course of her career, she has served as a team physician for the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Team physician pool, the U.S. Olympic Team Track & Field Trials, Multnomah University, the Portland Interscholastic League, the IAAF World Indoor Track & Field Championships, the University of Richmond, and the Virginia Special Olympics.
What makes Form & Function Orthopaedics different from a typical orthopaedic practice?
Dr. Yen Shipley is a solo practitioner, and her practice is unique in that the same surgeon is also fellowship trained and specialized in regenerative medicine. Most orthopaedic patients see a surgeon for surgical options and a separate provider for regenerative or non-surgical care. At Form & Function, one physician manages the full spectrum of musculoskeletal care, from non-operative and regenerative treatment through surgery when it is genuinely the right option, rather than surgery being presented as the first option.
Does Dr. Yen Shipley specialize in care for women or midlife health?
Yes. Dr. Yen Shipley is known for orthopaedic and regenerative care tailored to women, including hormone-aware joint care that accounts for how hormonal changes affect musculoskeletal health, along with a broader focus on midlife conditions affecting active adults.
What is Dr. Yen Shipley’s practice background?
She spent 14 years as a partner at Multnomah Orthopaedic Clinic before founding Form & Function Orthopaedics as a solo practice.