Dr. Nish Shah completed his Bachelors Degree in Biology from the University of Illinois in Urbana, IL in 1992. He then completed dental school at the Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville, where he earned his Doctor of Dental Medicine Degree (D.M.D.) in 1997. He participated in many extracurricular research activities and finished near the top of his class. While attending Southern Illinois University School of Dental Medicine, Dr. Shah was the recipient of various scholastic and academic achievement awards.

He developed a love for surgery in dental school, and decided to pursue further training in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. After completion of dental school, he completed an intense 6-year residency in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at the Carle Foundation Hospital and the University of Illinois in Urbana, IL in 2003. During his residency, he completed his Doctor of Medicine Degree (M.D.) at the University of Illinois in Urbana, IL in 2000.