Sheila Specker, MD
Associate Professor, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences

Contact Info
MD, University of Minnesota
Residency, Family Practice, University of Wisconsin
Residency, Psychiatry, University of Minnesota
Fellowship, Substance Abuse, University of Minnesota
BA, College of St. Catherine, St. Paul, MN
Summary
I received my BA in chemistry from the College of St.Catherine, MN, and completed medical school here at the University of Minnesota. I completed my residency in family practice from the University of Wisconsin, a residency in psychiatry and a fellowship in addiction medicine from the University of Minnesota. I am an Associate Professor and addiction psychiatrist in the Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences. I am Program Director for the Addiction Medicine Fellowship which trains physicians of all specialties in addiction and co-occurring psychiatric disorders. My research interests include: substance abuse and related compulsive behaviors with co-morbid conditions, especially in women; medication development for substances of abuse, and health care professionals with substance user psychiatric disorders. I am also co-investigator on the use of neuroimaging approaches to identify circuit abnormalities in addiction. Pharmacotherapies for the treatment of cocaine use disorder has also been a focus of research. I have also given grand rounds presentations nationwide and have presented both nationally and internationally at more than 70 conferences. I am board certified in both family practice and psychiatry and certified by the American Society of Addiction Medicine as a physician specialist in substance abuse and by the American Board of Psychiatry in addiction psychiatry. I was selected as a Top Doctor in Minneapolis-St. Paul Magazine in 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2021.
Expertise
- Eating disorders
- Substance use disorders
- Addictive disorders
Awards & Recognition
Professional Associations
Research
Research Summary/Interests
- Substance abuse and related compulsive behaviors with co-morbid conditions, especially in women
- Medication development for substances of abuse
- Health Care Professionals with substance user psychiatric disorders
Clinical
Specialties
- Eating disorders
- Substance use disorders
- Addictive disorders
Board Certifications
Dr. Specker is board certified in both family practice and psychiatry and is certified by the American Society of Addiction Medicine as a physician specialist in substance abuse and by the American Board of Psychiatry in addiction psychiatry.
Media
In The News
6 Signs Your Relationship With Alcohol Might Not Be Healthy
- Self, 11/15/2021