Clinton Kemp, MD

Dr. Kemp was born and raised in Lancaster, PA. After graduating as valedictorian of the Lancaster Country Day School he attended Princeton University where he was a resident and academic advisor and served on the Honor Committee. He graduated with honors with a degree in molecular biology in 2001 and was inducted into the Sigma Xi Scientific Research Society for his published research in virology and immunology. Following college he spent time at Merck and Co, Inc. where he was a viral vaccine biologist prior to entering medical school.

Dr. Kemp then moved to Nashville, TN to attend Vanderbilt University School of Medicine where he spent the summer between his first and second years of medical school with the department of cardiothoracic surgery which began his interest in the field. He participated in cardiac surgical research on myocardial protection for which he was awarded a grant from the American Medical Association. He graduated in 2006 and was inducted into the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor medical society, an award given to the top graduating students from medical school who have demonstrated superior academic achievement as well as leadership, professionalism, a strong sense of ethics, and dedication to their profession. He was also selected for the H. William Scott, Jr. Prize in surgery which is awarded to the top graduate entering a surgical residency.

Dr. Kemp then moved to Baltimore, MD in 2006 where he spent 10 years as a general surgery resident and cardiothoracic surgery fellow at the Johns Hopkins Hospital. While there he also completed a two year fellowship at the National Cancer Institute of the National Institutes of Health with a focus on thoracic surgical oncology. His research on mesothelioma earned him the George D. Zuidema Scientific Research Award and was presented in Japan at the International Mesothelioma Interest Group meeting. He was awarded a “Looking to the Future” scholarship by the Society of Thoracic Surgeons as well as the Outstanding Senior Resident Teaching Award at the Johns Hopkins Hospital. He served as administrative chief resident in general surgery as well as administrative chief fellow in cardiothoracic surgery. He performed nearly 2,000 cardiothoracic operations, authored 32 peer-reviewed publications, 9 book chapters and had 17 national meeting presentations during this time. Following completion of his surgical training, Dr. Kemp joined Mid-Atlantic Cardiothoracic Surgeons in August of 2016.

Dr. Kemp is board certified in general surgery, board certified in thoracic surgery and is a member of the American College of Surgeons and the Society of Thoracic Surgeons. His clinical interests include all aspects of adult cardiac surgery (coronary artery bypass grafting, valvular repair/replacement, aortic surgery, heart failure/mechanical circulatory support, transplantation, TAVR), as well as general and oncologic thoracic surgery.

Dr. Kemp resides in Norfolk with his wife, Lt. Commander Jean D. Kemp, a practicing Dermatopathologist in the United States Navy, whom he met the first day of medical school. The Kemps enjoy spending time with their two children and trips down to the Outer Banks, where Dr. Kemp has spent time growing up.

Curriculum Vitae

Medical School

Vanderbilt University School of Medicine

Internship/Residency

Johns Hopkins Hospital

Board Certification

American Board of Thoracic Surgery
American Board of Surgery

Hospital Affiliations

Sentara Heart Hospital/Sentara Norfolk General Hospital
Sentara Virginia Beach General Hospital

Professional Organizations

The Society of Thoracic Surgeons
The American College of Surgeons

Clinical Interests

Adult Cardiac Surgery
Oncologic Thoracic Surgery

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