Dr. James R. Garrison Jr., MD

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Get to know Cardiothoracic Surgeon Dr. James R. Garrison Jr., who serves patients in San Antonio, Texas.

Dr. Garrison Jr. is an experienced cardiothoracic surgeon who performs cardiac, thoracic, and vascular surgical procedures. He is also trained in heart transplantation, currently working at South Texas Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgical Associates, PLLC in San Antonio, Texas.

The physicians of South Texas Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgical Associates, PLLC have provided responsive, high-quality cardiothoracic and vascular surgical care in San Antonio for nearly 50 years. They are dedicated to providing patients with the care they need –  when and where they need it. 

After earning his Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree in Biology from the University of Texas, Dr. Garrison Jr. went on to obtain his medical degree from the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Medicine in 1990. He completed his internship and residency in general surgery at the University of Louisville in 1996, followed by his fellowship in cardiothoracic surgery at the Texas Heart Institute and M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston.

The doctor is board-certified in thoracic and cardiac surgery by the American Board of Thoracic Surgery, which is an American surgical organization devoted to surgery of the chest. Moreover, he is a member of the Denton A. Cooley Cardiovascular Surgical Society, the Hiram C. Polk Jr. Surgical Society, the American College of Surgeons, the Society of Thoracic Surgeons, the Texas Medical Association, and the American Medical Association.

From July 1998 until February 2001, Dr. Garrison Jr. worked and resided in Abilene, Texas. There, he was in private practice and was associated with Hendrick Medical Center, where he served as the Chairman of the Department of Cardiovascular Surgery. He affiliated with South Texas Cardiothoracic in March of 2001.

Cardiothoracic surgery is the field of medicine involved in the surgical treatment of organs inside the thorax. Cardiothoracic surgeons are medical doctors who specialize in surgical procedures inside the thorax, which may involve the heart, lungs, esophagus, and other organs in the chest. Alongside performing surgery, they also diagnose and treat diseases of these organs. 

Happily married with three children, Dr. Garrison Jr.’s interests include sailing, scuba diving, skiing (water and snow), playing golf and tennis, listening to music, and enjoying the performing arts.

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