Jim S. Garza, M. D., completed his undergraduate studies at Texas A&M University. He attended medical school at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas. After graduation from medical school, he was accepted into and completed a highly competitive surgical residency first in general surgery, and then in thoracic and cardiac surgery at the Baylor College of Medicine affiliated hospitals.

Board certification: The American Board of General Surgery certified Dr. Garza in 1981. The American Board of Thoracic Surgery certified him in 1984 and he was re-certified in Thoracic surgery in 2004.

Interest in endoscopic surgery and ETS: With the introduction of endoscopic techniques in this country, Dr. Garza recognized the enormous potential of this new, less invasive surgery. His interest led him to study these techniques in the United States as well as in Europe. He has been a pioneer in Laparoscopic and Thoracoscopic surgery within the Houston community.

Dr. Garza has performed thousands of ETS, laparoscopic (abdominal) and Thoracoscopic (chest) procedures. He has extensive experience in cardiac (heart), vascular (blood vessel) and open thoracic (chest) surgery.

His practice is focused on the latest techniques to treat Umbilical, Epigastric and Inguinal hernias.

Clinical Research: Dr Garza serves on medical advisory boards in order to collaborate with national experts to help design clinical trials in this area. These trials are aimed at improving the total peri-operative experience after hernia surgery.

Associations: An active member of the Houston and Texas medical community, Dr. Garza is a member of the following associations:

· American Medical Association
· American College of Surgeons
· Michael E. DeBakey International Cardiovascular Society
· American Heart Association
· Texas Medical Association
· American College of Phlebology
· American Hernia Society