James S. Gammie, MD
Cardiothoracic Surgery
Highlights
Johns Hopkins Affiliations:
- Johns Hopkins School of Medicine Faculty
About James S. Gammie
Professional Titles
- James T. Dresher, Sr. Professor in Cardiac Surgery
- Surgical Lead and Co-Director, Johns Hopkins Heart and Vascular Institute
- Cardiac Surgeon-in-Chief, Johns Hopkins Health System
Primary Academic Title
Professor of Cardiac Surgery
Johns Hopkins Physician
Background
James Gammie is the surgical lead and co-director for the Johns Hopkins Heart and Vascular Institute and cardiac surgeon-in-chief for the Johns Hopkins Health System.
With over 23 years of experience in cardiothoracic surgery, Dr. Gammie joined Johns Hopkins after serving as chief of the division of cardiac surgery at the University of Maryland Medical Center from 2012 to 2021. Dr. Gammie graduated from Brown University with a degree in biochemistry, and received his medical degree from the University of Massachusetts Medical School. Dr. Gammie trained in both general and cardiothoracic surgery at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine.
His clinical and research efforts are focused on decreasing the mortality and morbidity of valve disease and improving the surgical treatment of mitral valve and other structural heart diseases. He performs over 225 mitral valve operations and interventions per year, and leads a cardiac surgery team that performs more than 1,200 cardiac operations annually. He is recognized by the Mitral Foundation and the American Heart Association as one of less than 25 reference surgeons in the U.S. for his experience in mitral valve repair and excellent patient outcomes.
Dr. Gammie has a strong interest in all aspects of heart valve disease, and has published more than 200 peer-reviewed contributions in leading specialty journals including The New England Journal of Medicine, the Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery and Circulation. He has served as a deputy editor for The Annals of Thoracic Surgery and as chair of the Access and Publications Committee of the Society of Thoracic Surgeons Adult Cardiac Surgery Database. He serves on the steering committee of the NHLBI-sponsored Cardiothoracic Surgery Trials Network, and led the protocol development committee of a worldwide randomized tricuspid valve surgery trial. He is a member of the Halsted Society and the 21st Century Cardiothoracic Surgical Society.
In 2011, Dr. Gammie was awarded the Johns Hopkins/University of Maryland Alliance for Science and Technology Development BioMaryland LIFE Prize, and he was named Entrepreneur of the Year at the University of Maryland Baltimore in 2014. He is the inventor of a novel transseptal catheter designed to simplify transcatheter cardiac procedures, and founded a commercial company to commercialize the device. With 20 issued or submitted patents, he continues to innovate in the mitral valve space, and recently published the world’s first clinical experience with a novel surgical repair for secondary mitral valve regurgitation, which was developed in his laboratory: mitral valve translocation. From 2016–2021, Dr. Gammie was consistently named a Top Doctor by Baltimore magazine, and in 2018 he received the Golden Apple Teacher of the Year award.
Find a Clinical Trial
View all trials by this principal investigator.
Recent News Articles and Media Coverage
Mitral Valve Disease | A Woman’s Journey: Insights that Matter (February 2023)
Research Interests
Cardiovascular Device Development, Mitral Valve Repair, Outcomes Research in Structural Heart Disease, Transcatheter Interventions for Structural Heart disease
Honors
- Baltimore Magazine "Top Doctor" Recognition, 11/1/19
- Baltimore Magazine "Top Doctor" Recognition, 11/1/18
- Golden Apple Teacher of the Year Award, 1/1/18
- Baltimore Magazine "Top Doctor" Recognition, 11/1/17
- Baltimore Magazine "Top Doctor" Recognition, 11/1/16
- Baltimore Magazine "Top Doctor" Recognition, 11/1/14
- Entrepreneur of the Year, University of Maryland, Baltimore, 1/1/14
- Baltimore Magazine "Top Doctor" Recognition, 11/1/13
- Baltimore Magazine "Top Doctor" Recognition, 11/1/12
- BioMaryland LIFE Prize, 1/1/11
- Nathan H. Carliner MD Scholar Award, Cardiovascular Disease,, 1/1/10
- J. Maxwell Chamberlain Memorial Award, Adult Cardiac Surgery, 1/1/10
- Hewlett Packard Stethoscope Award, 1/1/90
Memberships
- American College of Surgeons,
Member
- Southern Thoracic Surgery Association,
Member
- Society of Thoracic Surgeons,
Member
- American College of Cardiology,
Fellow
- The Northeast Cardiothoracic Surgical Society,
Member
- International Society for Minimally Invasive Cardiac Surgery,
Member
- American Association of Thoracic Surgery
- 21st Century Cardiothoracic Surgical Society,
Member
- The Bartley P. Griffith Surgical Society,
Founder
- The Halsted Society,
Member
Locations
- Johns Hopkins Health Care & Surgery Center - Green Spring Station, Lutherville
- 10755 Falls Road, Pavilion I STE 360, Lutherville, MD 21093
- phone: 410-955-2800
- fax: 410-955-3809
Expertise
Education
University of Pittsburgh Medical Center
Fellowship, Thoracic Surgery, 1999University of Pittsburgh Medical Center
Residency, General Surgery, 1995University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School
Medical Education, MD, 1990Board Certifications
Thoracic and Cardiac Surgery
American Board of Thoracic Surgery, 2000Insurance
- Aetna
- CareFirst
- Cigna
- First Health
- Geisinger Health Plan
- HealthSmart/Accel
- Humana
- Johns Hopkins Health Plans
- MultiPlan
- Pennsylvania's Preferred Health Networks (PPHN)
- Point Comfort Underwriters
- Private Healthcare Systems (PHCS)
- UnitedHealthcare
- Veteran Affairs Community Care Network (Optum-VACCN)
Ratings & Reviews
4.9 out of 5
112 ratings, 43 reviewsThe Patient Rating score is an average of all responses to physician related questions on the national CG-CAHPS Medical Practice patient experience survey through Press Ganey. Responses are measured on a scale of 1 to 5, with 5 being the best score. Comments are also gathered from our CG-CAHPS Medical Practice Survey through Press Ganey and displayed in their entirety. Patients are de-identified for confidentiality and patient privacy.
- 4 out of 5 starsReviewed on 3/20/2025
He gave me some very unsettling news about my condition.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 3/20/2025
Cardiac Cath CD was lost within JHH system. UGH. Dr. Gammie was excellent and so was his NP [staff]
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 3/13/2025
Dr. Gammie put me totally at ease as I had several questions which he answered in sufficient depth to give me complete confidence in his skills.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 2/27/2025
Dr Gammie is a rock star in my book. 3 weeks after open heart surgery I'm walking over 2 miles a day up and down the hills of Takoma Park.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 2/27/2025
Dr. Gammie was truly involved with my case. He was informed and used his remarkable skill set to determine my condition and set how we will proceed from here to obtain the best results for my heart health. I was truly impressed by him and thankful that I received his personal attention and care.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 2/20/2025
Dr. Gammie is a humble, competent, and engaging physician. He explained my ailment and procedures clearly. I have full confidence with being under his care going forward.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 2/20/2025
Very efficient, professional and every appt was on time
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 2/20/2025
Dr, James Gammie, was top notch. I throughly enjoyed meeting him and his knowledge of the heart shows why he's a phenomenal cardiac surgeon,
- 4 out of 5 starsReviewed on 1/30/2025
Seen him first time it was okay
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 1/16/2025
Dr Gammie is very empathetic, considerate and thorough in answering questions and providing explanations.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 1/16/2025
Very satisfied
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 1/9/2025
Impressed
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 1/2/2025
Dr Gammie to the time necessary to explain the procedure and why it was needed and I came away with of clear understanding of what to expect both pre during and post operative
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 1/2/2025
Dr. Gammie is not only an excellent surgeon but also a compassionate and concerned doctor.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 12/19/2024
Dr. Gammie Was very professional , and well educated ,an also he is a very great human being.Thank you so much !
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 12/12/2024
Dr Gammie was very professional and did not rush the visit. He carefully listened to all of my questions.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 12/12/2024
Both the nurse practitioner that I saw, [staff], and my heart specialist, Dr James Gammie were excellent!!
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 12/12/2024
Exceptional expertise
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 11/21/2024
Dr. Gammie is absolutely wonderful. He's very knowledgeable, professional, and an expert in his field.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 11/14/2024
Very personable, listened to me, explained things so that I could understand them vs. Medical jargon.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 11/14/2024
Explained in detail about upcoming procedure
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 11/7/2024
Explained very clearly. I understood! Also, he had reviewed all the images from previous tests I sent in disk, reports, as well as test I had I. His office right before our meeting. Wow Awesome!
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 11/7/2024
Dr. Gammie is amazing. I couldn't ask for a better experience with my mitral valve repair and recovery.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 10/31/2024
He explained everything clearly.Every one was nice.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 10/17/2024
Dr. Gammie saved my life. I'm very thankful beyond words.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 10/3/2024
Good so far
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 9/5/2024
Very personable, kind, and wonderful ability to explain the process for repairing my mitral valve. Dr. Gammie is one of the nicest doctors I've ever dealt with. I would highly recommend him to my family and friends.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 8/29/2024
This was my first consult/visit with Dr Gammie. [Staff] was wonderful as was the lady that came in before her which I don't remember her name. I really felt comfortable with your stuff and the doctor. I feel confident that my surgery will go well and they took the time to explain things to me. Very caring stuff and doctor.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 8/8/2024
Everyone treated me as an individual and I felt heard
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 8/8/2024
I've been receiving the best care from the Hopkins cardiac care unit!
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 8/1/2024
Excellent service from the provider. Listened to all my concerns & explained in detail anything I did not understand. Was professional, friendly and extremely helpful!!
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 8/1/2024
I feel fortunate to have been referred to him by my cardiologist.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 7/25/2024
Very helpful,and,and considering to my situation
- 4 out of 5 starsReviewed on 7/25/2024
He us a awesome doctor!!!!!!!!!!!!
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 7/18/2024
This visit was a first visit for a heart operation. I was very impressed with Dr. Gammie, the amount of time he spent with me, and how he explained things to me.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 7/11/2024
Good bedside manner. Very friendly and showed concern.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 7/11/2024
He was so kind and nice.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 6/20/2024
Very thorough
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 6/13/2024
I feel truly blesses to be in the care of Dr. Gammie and his PA, [name]
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 5/30/2024
Excellent bedside manner. Compassionate, exceptional expertise.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 5/9/2024
Very good and very helpful!
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 5/2/2024
Very knowledgeable and very familiar with my situation
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 5/2/2024
Both the nurse practitioner and surgeon were personable, knowledgeable and caring