Dr Fleshman obtained his undergraduate degree in in Liberal Arts/Biology with honors Summa Cum Laude, Medical Degree and General Surgery Residency training at Washington University in St Louis.He spent a year at the University of Toronto for Colon and Rectal Residency working with Zane Cohen and Robin McLeod before returning to Washington University as Assistant Professor of Colon and Rectal Surgery with Ira Kodner and Robert Fry. He rose to Professor of Surgery in Colon and Rectal Surgery with Tenure and eventually became Chief of the Section, training 3 CRS residents per year as well as general surgery residents.
During that time Dr Fleshman participated with the ASCRS on numerous committees until becoming President of the Society in 2009. He served as a member of the American Board of Colon and Rectal Surgery, working with Dr Randy Bailey to on the Exam Committee before inheriting that position and eventually becoming President of the ABCRS. He served as liaison from the ABCRS to the American Board of Surgery for 6 years where he became the Chair of the Advanced Training Committee and examined over 800 candidates in General Surgery.
In 2010 Dr Fleshman was appointed to the ACS Board of Governors as the representative from the ACS Advisory Council for Colon and Rectal Surgery and served as a member of the executive committee of the Board of Governors in 2015-2016. Most recently he was appointed as the Colon and Rectal Surgery representative to the AACS Board of Regents, a position held previously by Drs Randy Bailey and Steve Wexner.
Dr Fleshman moved to Dallas in 2012 to serve as Chair of the Department of Surgery at Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas, which is affiliated with Texas A&M College of Medicine. The training program graduates 9 Chiefs of General Surgery, 3 CRS, 2 Vascular, 3 Critical Care and 1 Transplant fellows per year. He is a member of the Medical Executive Board of the hospital and a member of the Board of Trustees of Health Texas Provider Network, the employed physician group that serves Baylor Scott and White Health System.
Selected publications from PubMed
Laparoscopic versus open surgery for rectal cancer: individual patient data meta-analysis of the ALaCaRT and Z6051 randomized trials.
Brown KGM, Stevenson ARL, Solomon MJ, Murray J, Wilson K, Gebski V, Fleshman J, Shi Q, Read TE, Simes J
BJS Open. 2026 Jul 3;10(4) doi: 10.1093/bjsopen/zrag119.
The virtual colorectal surgical trainer-ileal pouch-anal anastomosis simulator shows evidence of validity.
Garces-Palacios S, Desir A, Gopal K, Westergaard G, Ellis M, Demirel D, Salgado J, Fleshman JW, De S, Sankaranarayanan G
Surg Endosc. 2026 Jan;40(1):712-719 doi: 10.1007/s00464-025-12406-9.
Ketamine intolerance in patients on enhanced recovery after surgery protocols undergoing colorectal operations.
Stringfield SB, Waddimba AC, Criss KM, Burgess B, Dosselman LJ, Fichera A, Wells KO, Fleshman J
J Gastrointest Surg. 2024 Jul;28(7):1009-1016 doi: 10.1016/j.gassur.2024.02.035.
National trends in distribution of underrepresented minorities within United States general surgery residency programs: A longitudinal panel study.
Carter BD, Badejo MA, Ogola GO, Waddimba AC, Fleshman JW Jr, Harrington MA Jr
Am J Surg. 2023 Jun;225(6):1000-1008 doi: 10.1016/j.amjsurg.2023.01.011.
Predictive factors of first-time failure on the American Board of Colorectal Surgery certifying and qualifying examinations.
Fair L, Gough B, Hyman N, Bello B, Steinhagen R, Cleary R, Ziegler M, Maun D, Fleshner P, Ogola G, Wells K, Lichliter W, Fleshman J, Fichera A
Proc (Bayl Univ Med Cent). 2023;36(4):483-489 doi: 10.1080/08998280.2023.2204776.
It has been well demonstrated that quality correlates with outcomes. Defining and measuring quality outcomes requires meticulous data capture and ideally external data verification. Since its inception in 1913, the American College of Surgeons (ACS) has introduced numerous quality programs. This panel of surgical leaders will discuss the significant value of various ACS quality programs and explain the initiatives designed to ensure access to these programs for all patients.
With American College of Surgeons
Published
Oct 2024
As cataclysmic events have demonstrated the pressing need to provide diversity, equity, and inclusion in all walks of life, professional organizations have responded with programs and other interventions to ensure these concepts are included in our clinical care, membership and leadership of professional organizations, with particular attention to our pipeline of future membership. In light of this, Specialty Surgery Regents from the American College of Surgeons have come together in this program to share the efforts made in their academic programs and professional societies to address their diverse needs and concerns. Each specialty is unique in the demographics of its patients and surgical workforce. Each has different priorities and solutions. The panelists share their collective experiences, programs, and initiatives in an effort to provide innovative solutions to all surgeons and surgical organizations. The program is constructed to inspire others in their efforts to bring Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion to all aspects of surgical life and surgical care and provide a bright future for ALL of our patients and surgeons.
With Johnson & Johnson MedTech
Published
Sep 2022
Help your network discover Dr. James Fleshman's clinical expertise.
