Meet Our Team
James Gonzales, MD, FACS
The colleague you will work alongside at Mark Twain Medical Center represents the ideal surgical partner: technically excellent, professionally engaged, and personally grounded. James Gonzales, MD, FACS serves as the anchor of the general surgery program, and hospital leadership considers him the foundation upon which they are building the department's future. Getting to know Dr. Gonzales provides insight into both the clinical culture and the professional environment you would enter.
Dr. Gonzales brings impressive credentials and extensive experience to the practice. He earned his Doctor of Medicine degree from the University of Southern California in 1999 and completed additional training at UCSF and Morehouse School of Medicine. Board-certified in general surgery and a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, he previously served as staff surgeon and Director of Surgical, Orthopedic, and Wound Care services at Sutter Amador Hospital. He also held the position of Chairman of the Department of Surgery before joining Mark Twain Medical Center in 2024.
Hospital CEO Doug Archer describes Dr. Gonzales in terms that speak to both his clinical excellence and his character. He practices full-scope general surgery with a particular strength in patient selection, knowing precisely which cases the critical access facility can handle and which require transfer to regional centers. This judgment protects patients while allowing the hospital to provide comprehensive surgical services locally.
Dr. Gonzales averages approximately 35 surgical cases and 75 endoscopies monthly, with 35 to 40 clinic patients daily. His productivity places him solidly in the upper range of what this practice environment supports. He maintains a reputation for excellent patient outcomes, self-critical quality review, and thorough case preparation.
Dr. Gonzales operates with precision in both his surgical technique and his professional life. He provided the hospital with his complete 2026 availability schedule in November, demonstrating the organizational approach that makes him a reliable partner. He maintains high standards for himself and those around him, pushing staff and colleagues toward excellence rather than accepting mediocrity.
Leadership describes him as someone who would make an excellent mentor for a newer surgeon open to guidance, or a strong partner for an experienced surgeon who shares his commitment to quality. He will invest in developing a colleague he believes in, providing the hands-on support that helps surgeons grow. For those earlier in their careers, expect collaborative case discussions, shared OR time during the transition period, and direct feedback that helps you improve.
The partnership structure involves alternating clinic and OR days, with the small clinic typically accommodating one surgeon at a time. Dr. Gonzales typically works two clinic days and three OR days weekly. However, he has expressed willingness to overlap clinic time with a newer colleague who might benefit from closer mentorship during their initial months.
Patient reviews of Dr. Gonzales consistently praise his thoroughness, honesty, and clinical skill. One patient wrote that he "quite literally saved my life and has restored my faith in medical professionals." Another described him as "truthful, trustworthy, reliable, professional." These testimonials reflect the physician you would share patients with, someone whose clinical reputation will extend to yours as his practice partner.
Dr. Gonzales lives in Amador County, approximately 30 minutes from the hospital. He also maintains trauma surgery skills through monthly call coverage at a regional trauma center. This commitment to maintaining broad competencies reflects his approach to medicine: stay sharp, stay capable, and stay ready.
The general surgery program at Mark Twain operates as a true partnership. Your surgical partner will cover your patients when you are away, and you will cover his. Dr. Gonzales seeks a colleague he can trust with his patients, someone whose judgment and skills match his own high standards. For the right surgeon, this represents an opportunity to join a practice with a ready-made patient base, an established reputation, and a partner committed to mutual success.