James Hemp M.D. joined Scripps Clinic in July of 2003 and is board certified in both cardiothoracic and vascular surgery. He received his medical degree from the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences in Bethesda, Maryland and his undergraduate degree in biochemistry from the University of California, Davis. Dr. Hemp completed both a general surgery internship and residency at the Naval Hospital in Oakland, California. This was followed by a thoracic surgery residency and a fellowship in vascular surgery at Rush-Presbyterian St. Luke’s Medical Center in Chicago. Dr. Hemp joined the United States Navy in 1979 and retired as a Captain in 2003. He was the Chairman of the Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery and the Director of Surgical Services at the Naval Medical Center prior to joining Scripps Clinic.

Dr. Hemp is a fellow of the American College of Surgeons, the American College of Cardiology and the American College of Chest Physicians. He is a member of the Society of Thoracic Surgeons and the Western Thoracic Surgical Association. Throughout his career, Dr. Hemp has received numerous scholastic and military awards and published a multitude of articles in scientific journals.

Dr. Hemp’s practice encompasses adult cardiac, thoracic, and vascular surgery. Areas of interest include cardiac valve repair and replacement, totally endoscopic robotic Cardiothoracic Surgery, surgery of the aorta, coronary artery bypass graft surgery, and surgery for lung cancer. Dr. Hemp is experienced in the use of endovascular methods such as stent grafts to treat chest and abdominal aneurysms and dissections while avoiding body cavity incisions. He routinely performs lung cancer surgery using techniques that do not require rib spreading (thoracoscopic lobectomy).