Meet Our Staff
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.
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.
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. He currently is providing surgical care at both our Augusta and Thomson locations.
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.
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.
Davis O’Brien, MD
Dr. O’Brien was born and raised in Birmingham, AL before attending the University of Alabama, where he graduated in 2014 with a B.S. in Mathematics. He then received a medical degree from the University of South Alabama. He went to the Medical College of Georgia where he completed his internship and residency in general surgery in 2025. After residency, he went to Jackson Health in Miami, FL to complete a fellowship in Advanced Gastrointestinal and Minimally Invasive Surgery. He joined the Augusta Surgical Group in 2026.
Jennifer Finley
Practice Administrator
Jamie Higdon
Billing Manager
Medical Assistants
Front Desk Staff
