James McPherson, MD

Dr. James McPherson is a board certified thoracic surgeon with more than 20 years of experience. Dr. McPherson’s clinical focus is on minimally invasive diagnosis and treatment of lung cancer and other thoracic (chest) diseases. He is an expert on the daVinci Xi robotic platform, a cutting edge technology that results in smaller incisions, less pain and blood loss and a more rapid return to active living compared to open surgery.

Dr. McPherson earned his bachelor’s degree in chemistry from the University of Southern California. (USC). He received his medical degree at Tulane University in New Orleans, Louisiana, where he also received his Master of Public Health degree. He then completed his general surgery training at St. Luke’s-Roosevelt Hospital Center (now Mount Sinai) in New York City. There, he continued his interest in cardiovascular surgery while working with Dr. George Green, a pioneer in the use of the internal mammary artery as a conduit for coronary artery bypass surgery. As Chief Resident, Dr. McPherson was awarded the Outstanding Teaching Award.

Dr. McPherson returned to USC for his cardiothoracic surgery fellowship where he studied under renowned cardiac surgeon Dr. Vaughn Starnes. In addition, Dr. McPherson studied esophageal and pulmonary surgery with Dr. Tom DeMeester, an international leader in this field. After serving four years on the USC faculty, Dr. McPherson founded the Los Angeles Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery Group, focusing on minimally invasive heart valve surgery, as well as early diagnosis and treatment of lung cancer. In 2016, he accepted a position at St. John’s Regional Medical Center in Oxnard as medical director of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery. During his tenure, he was instrumental in starting the Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR) program and introduced robotic assisted thoracic surgery for treatment of lung cancer.

In 2021, Dr. McPherson relocated his practice to northern New Jersey. He continues to serve the community by encouraging students to pursue a career in medicine. He is fluent in English and Spanish and has made numerous television and radio appearances educating the public on heart, lung and vascular disease.

In his free time, he enjoys travel and is an avid fan of tennis, scuba diving and college football. An avid lover of cinema and music, he listens to an eclectic variety of music ranging from Miles Davis to Mozart. Dr. McPherson and his wife Valarie live in Montville, New Jersey. They have four daughters who are graduates of Howard University, Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising (Los Angeles), Charles R. Drew University, and USC.

Dr. McPherson is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons and a member of the Society of Thoracic Surgeons.

DISEASES AND PROCEDURES FOR WHICH DR. McPHERSON PROVIDES SURGICAL MANAGEMENT

LUNG
Lung cancer*
Pulmonary nodules*
Plueral effusions
Empyema
Spontaneous pneumothorax
Hydropneumothorax
Bullous lung disease*
Hemothorax
Chylothorax
Bronchopleural fistula
Chest wall tumor
Mesothelioma

ESOPHAGUS
Esophageal cancer*
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)*
Paraesophageal hernia*
Achalasia*
Esophageal stricture
Esophageal perforation
Esophageal diverticulum*
Leiomyoma*

DIAPHRAGM
Diaphragmatic hernia
Elevated hemidiaphragm*

MEDIASTINUM
Mediastinal mass*
Lymphadenopathy
Thymoma*
Thymic cysts*
Pericardial effusion
Pericardial cyst*
Neurogenic tumors
Schwannoma*

TRACHEA
Tracheal mass
Tracheal stenosis
Tracheomalacia

PROVIDE DIAGNOSTIC INFORMATION FOR:
Lymphoma
Sarcoidosis
Germ cell tumor
Interstitial lung disease*

OTHER PROCEDURES
Port placement for central venous access (chemotherapy)
Pericardial windows on patients with pericardial effusions

*Robotic Surgery available using da Vinci Surgical System