James H. Thomas, MD, RVT, FACS

A native son of Eastern Kentucky, Dr. Thomas joined the University of Kansas in 1975.  Originally, Dr. Thomas came as a surgical oncology fellow.  After successful completion, he joined our faculty.

Dr. Thomas graduated from Morehead State University in 1962.  He went on to complete medical school at the University of Kentucky in 1966.  After his tour of duty in Viet Nam with the United States Marines where he became a proud veteran of the Siege at Khe Sahn, he returned to the US and completed his surgical training at the University of Pennsylvania. 

After joining the KU family, Dr. Thomas rapidly moved up through the ranks being named a full professor of surgery in 1983.  Among his many accolades, he ascended to the Chairmanship of the Department of Surgery in 2004.

Dr. Thomas is not only our senior vascular surgeon, but he is also a budding amateur artist, model aircraft builder, and a huge basketball fan.  He also greatly enjoys warm weather, long auto trips and a good wine.