James W. Stewart II, MD, MSc

Dr. James Stewart II is the current Chief Resident in General Surgery at Yale. His career has been defined by a disciplined pursuit of surgical mastery, a deep investment in academic rigor, and a track record of leadership at the national level. He was recently accepted into the cardiothoracic surgery fellowship at the University of Florida—one of the most competitive and technically demanding subspecialties in American surgery.

Dr. Stewart earned a master’s degree in Health and Healthcare Research through the prestigious National Clinician Scholars Program at the University of Michigan, where his work focused on outcomes in advanced heart failure, VAD therapy, and disparities in access to cardiac surgical care. He has authored or co-authored over 30 peer-reviewed publications and presentations, including multiple first-author studies in major journals addressing cardiac surgery outcomes, equity in transplant access, and critical care metrics.

At Yale, Dr. Stewart has held multiple institutional and national leadership roles. He served as President of the Yale Minority Housestaff Organization, an Informatics Committee member for the Society of Black Academic Surgeons, a Fellow with the Cardiothoracic Surgical Trials Network, and the Creative Director for the Annals of Surgery. In each role, he has blended academic performance with strategic vision—amplifying research, mentorship, and diversity initiatives that reflect the values of modern surgical leadership.

Clinically, Dr. Stewart is known for his precision under pressure, decisive operative judgment, and high standards in patient care. He has led trauma activations, performed emergency thoracotomies, and managed high-stakes ICU patients—all while committing himself to the long game of becoming an elite cardiac surgeon.

He is driven by a clear mission: to combine technical excellence with scholarly impact and shape the next era of cardiothoracic surgery through discipline, innovation, and leadership.