Founded in 1971 by Dr. Harry Sherman, Augusta Surgical Group continues to be the largest and oldest general surgery group in Augusta. Comprised of five general surgeons, the group practices primarily at Piedmont Augusta, providing a broad spectrum of general surgery services. The members of Augusta Surgical Group are committed to providing excellent surgical care utilizing time-honored surgical techniques, advanced laparoscopy, and the latest advances in breast cancer, hernia, and gastrointestinal surgery.

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JAY NEWTON BATES, JR., MD, FACS

Dr. Bates was born and raised in Waycross, GA before attending the University of Georgia, where he graduated in 1992 with a B.S. in microbiology.  He then received his medical degree from the Medical College of Georgia and completed his internship at Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte, NC. He finished his residency at the Medical College of Georgia in general surgery and joined the Augusta Surgical Group in 2001. 

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CHRIS C. CARLSON, MD, FACS

Dr. Carlson was born in Billings, MT and attended the University of California at San Diego, where he received his B.S. in biochemistry.  After completing his undergraduate degree he then attended medical school at the Medical College of Georgia.  His first year of residency was back in San Diego at the UCSD Medical Center and the remainder of his residency was in Augusta at MCG. He is married to Dr. Niti Carlson who is a practicing gynecologist in Augusta and they have three children named Michael, William, and Elizabeth. He joined Augusta Surgical Group in 2003.

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EDWARD WILLS, DO, FACS

Dr. Wills was born and raised in Huntsville, AL and graduated from Vanderbilt University in 2004 with a B.S. in Economics. He then went to medical school at Lincoln Memorial University – DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine. He graduated in 2013 with a combined DO/MBA degree. He completed his residency in General Surgery at Inova Fairfax Hospital in Falls Church, VA in 2018. He joined Augusta Surgical Group in 2018. He is married to Dr. Meredith Wills who is an Anesthesiologist with Anesthesia Consultants of Augusta.

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JARED W. MITCHELL MD, FACS

Dr. Mitchell was raised in Thomson, GA, and graduated with honors from Augusta State University in 2005 with a B.S. in Biology. He received a medical degree from the Medical College of Georgia in 2009 and stayed on at the Medical College of Georgia to complete his residency in general surgery. Dr. Mitchell practiced general surgery in Thomson, GA for six years before joining Augusta Surgical Group in 2020. 

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JAMES GABLE, MD

Dr. Gable was born and raised in northwest Georgia in the small town of Trion. He was the son of public school teachers, with his father being a football coach and his mother being a librarian. He graduated from Gordon Central High School in Calhoun, Georgia, and went on to attend the University of Georgia. He graduated with honors and a doctorate of pharmacy from the College of Pharmacy at UGA. He then went on to the Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University for his medical education. Upon graduation from medical school, he completed his residency in general surgery at Augusta University Medical Center. He began practicing in northwest Georgia before joining Augusta Surgical Group in 2021. He is the proud husband of Mary Beth and father to 3 children: Burch, Laurel, and Reed. 

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Jennifer Finley

Practice Administrator

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Jamie Higdon

Billing Manager

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Medical Assistants

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Surgery Schedulers

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Front Desk Staff