James Hemp, MD

James Hemp, MD, is a fellowship-trained thoracic surgeon who specializes in adult cardiac, thoracic and vascular surgery. Dr. Hemp also performs robotic-assisted surgeries for a range of cardiovascular and thoracic conditions. His clinical focus is in minimally invasive procedures, including robotic-assisted mitral valve repair, coronary artery bypass grafts (CABG) and lung cancer resections, such as lobectomy. 

A member of the Scripps Minimally Invasive Robotic Surgery Program, Dr. Hemp has been a part of Scripps for more than 15 years. He has performed more heart and lung robotic surgeries than any other surgeon in the San Diego region, and trains other surgeons throughout the nation to perform robotic-assisted procedures. In addition to robotic surgery, Dr. Hemp is also expert at using endovascular procedures, such as stent grafts, to treat chest and abdominal aneurysms.

Dr. Hemp served for more than 20 years in the United States Navy and retired as a Captain. Prior to joining Scripps, he chaired the Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery and was the Director of Surgical Services at the Naval Medical Center.

Outside of his clinical practice, Dr. Hemp conducts research to improve cardiovascular care and has been published in a number of peer-reviewed journals. He has received numerous awards, has been designated a Top Doctor by U.S. News & World Report and has been repeatedly recognized by his peers as one of San Diego’s Top Doctors in San Diego Magazine.