General Surgery

Comprehensive Surgical Care

Stephenville Medical & Surgical Clinic (SMSC) provides general surgery services for patients who need surgical evaluation and treatment for a wide range of conditions. Our board-trained surgeons offer traditional, laparoscopic, robotic-assisted, and endoscopic procedures. They treat abdominal and gastrointestinal conditions, hernias, colorectal disorders, and certain cancers, and they provide fast, coordinated care for urgent and emergency surgical needs.

Our general surgery team cares for you from the first evaluation through postoperative follow-up. We emphasize individualized treatment, clear communication, and continuity of care. Our surgeons partner with patients and families to explain treatment options, set realistic expectations, and make sure you know what to expect at every step of the surgical process.

General Surgery Services

Our general surgeons provide evaluation and surgical treatment for a variety of conditions, including:

Hernia Repair: Surgical repair of umbilical, epigastric, incarcerated, parastomal, and other types of hernias.
Abdominal and Gastrointestinal Surgery: Surgical treatment of conditions affecting the stomach, intestines, colon, appendix, and other abdominal organs.
Gallbladder, Liver, and Pancreas Surgery: Gallbladder removal and surgery of the liver, pancreas, and bile ducts.
Laparoscopic, Robotic-Assisted, and Endoscopic Surgery: Minimally invasive procedures using advanced surgical techniques, which can mean smaller incisions and a quicker recovery.
Colorectal Surgery: Surgical management of conditions involving the colon and rectum.
Endocrine Surgery: Surgical treatment of conditions affecting the body's endocrine glands, including the thyroid and parathyroid.
Breast Surgery: Evaluation and surgical treatment of breast conditions.
Surgical Oncology: Surgical treatment of certain cancers, including tumor removal, delivered to current oncologic standards of care.
Skin and Soft Tissue Surgery: Removal and treatment of skin lesions, cysts, and other soft tissue conditions.
Complex Wound Care: Evaluation and surgical management of complex and nonhealing wounds.
Trauma, Acute Care, and Emergency General Surgery: Rapid, coordinated surgical care for injuries and urgent abdominal conditions.
Vascular and Head & Neck Procedures: Selected vascular and head and neck procedures.

Meet Our Surgeons

James Christopher, MD

General Surgeon - Joining SMSC 11/1/2026

Board Certification: American Board of Surgery
Medical School: Louisiana State University Medical Center, Shreveport, LA
Residency: LSU Health Sciences Center, Shreveport, LA
Internship: Pitt County Memorial Hospital, Greenville, NC
Undergraduate: B.S., The University of the South, Sewanee, TN

Dr. Christopher is board certified by the American Board of Surgery and brings decades of surgical and leadership experience to Stephenville. He has served as Medical Director of Surgery and Trauma and as Department of Surgery Chair, in roles across Louisiana and the U.S. Navy.

His military service, which began in 2004, included deployments to Iraq, Afghanistan, and Haiti, where he provided trauma, surgical, and critical care to U.S. and allied forces and to civilians. Before moving to Stephenville in 2026, he practiced for more than 15 years at Lakeview Hospital and Saint Tammany Parish Hospital in Louisiana.

Mackenzie Ewart, DO, CPPS

General Surgeon - Joining SMSC 7/1/2027

Residency: General Surgery, Texas Health Resources, Fort Worth, TX
Medical School: Doctor of Osteopathy, UNT Health Science Center, Fort Worth, TX
Undergraduate: B.S. Biology, minor in Chemistry, Texas Tech University (summa cum laude, highest-ranking graduate)
Certifications: ATLS, ACLS, BLS, surgical patient safety, robotic surgery
Languages: English; Spanish (advanced)
Associations: American College of Surgeons; American College of Osteopathic Surgeons; Texas Medical Association; Christian Medical and Dental Association

Dr. Ewart is a board-trained general surgeon with special expertise in emergency general surgery, trauma, and general surgical oncology. His care is holistic, attending to spirit, mind, and body, and built on safety, evidence, and clear communication. He favors robotic, laparoscopic, and endoscopic approaches when appropriate.

An active researcher and educator, he has presented and published on cholecystectomy timing, parastomal hernia outcomes, xiphoidectomy techniques, and oncologic standards of care, and has presented quality improvement work to the American College of Surgeons. A prior career in civil nuclear field engineering shapes his systems-minded focus on patient safety. He has given more than 1,600 volunteer hours to local and international health programs and lives in Fort Worth with his wife, Maria, and their daughter, Victoria.

Surgical Care for Stephenville and Surrounding Communities

Stephenville Medical & Surgical Clinic is committed to providing comprehensive general surgery services to patients in Stephenville and the surrounding communities. By offering a broad range of surgical specialties and treatment options, SMSC helps patients access the surgical care they need close to home, with a focus on quality treatment, individualized care, and positive patient outcomes.