Dr James Douglas Aitchison

Dr. James Douglas Aitchison is an esteemed Consultant Thoracic Surgeon, certified in Cardiothoracic Surgery. With an impressive clinical background, he played a pivotal role in establishing the new Thoracic Surgery Service at Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City Hospital (SSMC) in Abu Dhabi, in collaboration with Mayo Clinic.

Having served as the Head of Thoracic Surgery at SSMC and Adjunct Clinical Associate Professor in Surgery at Khalifa University, Dr. Aitchison boasts extensive experience within the UAE. Prior to his tenure in Abu Dhabi, he worked for over a decade at The Essex Cardiothoracic Centre, Basildon Hospital, England, where he pioneered a successful minimal access lung cancer surgery service.

Dr. Aitchison's expertise spans adult cardiac and thoracic surgery, including procedures like coronary artery bypass grafts, aortic valve replacement, and surgery of the aorta. In thoracic surgery, he excels in lung cancer surgeries, utilising minimal access techniques like uniportal surgery and thoracoscopy whenever possible. His skills also extend to emergency rib and sternal fixation for major trauma, pleural disease surgeries, chest wall resection, mediastinal tumour excision, and lung nodule excision.

A distinguished researcher, Dr. Aitchison holds a research MD with distinction on Lung Transplantation from the University of Newcastle upon Tyne. He has contributed to prestigious medical journals and is an active member of the Thoracic Surgery Chapter of Emirates Thoracic Society (ETS) and the Society for Cardiothoracic Surgery (UK).

Dr. Aitchison's qualifications include First Class Honours for his bachelor's degree in Cardiac Electrophysiology from the University of Newcastle upon Tyne, MBBS, and FRCS from London and Edinburgh. He underwent comprehensive training in cardiothoracic surgery in prominent medical institutions, including Freeman Hospital, Newcastle, James Cook University Hospital, Middlesbrough, and Papworth Hospital, Cambridge.  He completed a clinical fellowship in Cardiothoracic Surgery in Washington University in St. Louis at Barnes Jewish and Christian Hospital NorthEast.

With a passion for education, Dr. Aitchison also holds a Postgraduate Certificate in Education. He has been actively involved in training and leadership roles throughout his career, serving as the Negotiating Committee Chair and Foundation Programme Director at Basildon Hospital, England.

Dr. Aitchison's special interests include thoracic surgery, particularly lung cancer surgeries, uniportal video-assisted thoracic surgery, localization biopsy of lung masses, chest trauma, mediastinoscopy, mediastinal staging, Endobronchial Ultrasound and biopsy (EBUS), chest wall tumours, mediastinal tumours, thymoma, pneumothorax, and decortication for empyema. His commitment to providing exceptional care, along with his pioneering approach to surgery, makes him a highly sought-after expert in the field.