Dr. James Thornton, M.D., F.A.C.S.
Dr. James Thornton, M.D., F.A.C.S.
My philosophy as a surgeon is to provide the best possible care that I and my staff can give. This started with my medical training at the University of California where I was voted into the Medical Honor Society as a junior. My surgical residence was done at the University of Michigan where I trained both in General Surgery (board certified in 1984), Plastic Surgery (board certified 1988), and a Craniofacial Fellowship completed in 1987. I have been in private practice on the Central Coast of California since 1988 and I have 20 years of surgical experience.
Surgeries are provided at our state-of-the-art Surgery Center which is licensed by the State of California and Federal government, meeting all the life safety codes of a free standing Surgery Center conveniently located next to a full service hospital in beautiful San Luis Obispo. In this setting I am able to provide my patients with complete privacy with the safety we all expect. I look forward to meeting you and to be able to providing a rewarding experience.
Medical School:
University of California, Irvine, CA ~ graduated with honors in 1979
Residency:
University of Michigan - General Surgery Residency in 1984
University of Michigan - Plastic Surgery Residency in 1986
Fellowship:
University of Michigan Medical Center - William Grubb Cosmetic & Cranial Facial Surgery
Mott Children’s Hospital, Ann Arbor, Michigan - Pediatric Surgery
Societies - Memberships - Affiliations:
American Society of Plastic Surgeons
American College of Surgeons
The California Medical Association
The California Society of Plastic Surgeons
Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honor Society
Certifications:
American Board of Surgery - 1984
American Board of Plastic Surgery - 1988
FLYING SAMARITANS GOLD COAST CHAPTER
The Flying Samaritans is a volunteer organization comprised of a group of professionals from many different walks of life interested in helping provide healthcare services at no charge to the people in Baja California, Mexico who otherwise have no access to medical care. Through a cooperative agreement with the University of Baja California, the teams are sanctioned as Invited Teachers.
The Flying Sams have four basic missions – primary care, specialty care, education and emergency care.. Most patients are the 60% of the Mexican population who are not eligible for Mexican Social Security medical care.
Specialty care is a cooperative effort to provide specialty care such as surgery and treatment that requires medical follow up. Specialty care is provided only at locations such as the Buen Pastor Hospital in San Quintin where follow up care is available.
Since 1988, Dr. James W. Thornton has provided 20 years of service by participating with the Gold Coast Chapter of the Flying Samaritans. His services include performing plastic surgical procedures, in particular, cleft pallet and burn reconstructions and hand surgeries for patients in Baja California. Though there are many plastic surgeons in the United States, there are very few outside of the United States. Dr. Thornton feels that providing these services to our neighbors to the south is invaluable. Dr. Thornton schedules two trips to Baja California yearly to provide his services.
