James Harper Jr., MD

I've been enamored with medicine for as long as I can remember. My grandfather, for whom I was named, was a general practitioner in my hometown of Reidsville, North Carolina and took care of nearly the entire town. \n Within a few hours of my premature birth, my grandfather suspected I had pneumonia. He had me transferred to Moses Cone Hospital, where I spent three weeks in the ICU. A few weeks after I was discharged, I went into septic shock. Again, my grandfather recognized the signs. He coded me during the ambulance ride, which saved my life. \n I was always driven to succeed academically and wanted to attend a top college to improve my chances of following in my grandfather's footsteps. At Wake Forest University, I majored in chemistry and volunteered at healthcare clinics in Winston-Salem. I was thrilled to attend Wake Forest for medical school, which is where my passion for cardiology began to blossom. \n I did my internal medicine residency at the University of Texas Southwestern in Dallas because the program director's pitch included that the school is known for training cardiologists and sending them all over the world. I knew I wanted to live in North Carolina, so the all over the world part didn't attract me. The cardiology training program did. \n During my cardiology fellowship at the Ochsner Clinic in New Orleans, I fell in love with the city and with a New Orleans girl named Alex. \n During my second year in fellowship, I interviewed for a job with a Wilmington practice with incredible doctors, advanced practitioners and administrators. Accepting the job was one of the easiest decisions of my life. (Marrying Alex was the easiest.) \n My specialties include general cardiology; advanced imaging, including transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiography; stress testing and coronary CTA. I also perform cardioversions and implant loop recorders. I love my job, my patients, this community and the people with whom I have the pleasure of working. \n In my free time, I love running and spending time with Alex and our young son. A wonderful golden retriever and calico cat complete our family. We are in love with the city and enjoy days on the beach, diving into new restaurants and bars, walking the loop and exploring all the water sports the area makes possible.

The complexity of the human body, particularly the heart, has always fascinated me. As a cardiologist, I have the privilege of diagnosing and treating a wide range of heart conditions. This allows me to directly improve a patient's quality of life, or even save a patient's life at a critical moment. Cardiology is a rapidly evolving field that offers continuous opportunities for innovation. That combination of constantly learning and making such profound impacts on the lives of my patients makes cardiology the perfect field for me. \n Providing personalized, compassionate, evidenced-based care is at the center of everything I do. My patient-centered approach involves active listening and clear communication; I hear your concerns and questions, and then present your treatment options along with all the information you need to make decisions about your care. I believe that trust and open dialogue are keys to any doctor-patient relationship, and I believe that when we work together the result is superior care for you. \n One of my passions within the field of cardiology is cardiac imaging. Technologies such as cardiac computer tomography (CT), echocardiography and nuclear cardiology allow me to provide comprehensive and precise diagnoses for patients with heart conditions. I have earned special board certifications in these specific imaging areas, allowing me to provide my patients a higher level of expertise, and ensuring patients receive the most accurate and tailored care possible. \n I was born in Greenville, North Carolina, and knew I wanted to return to the coast of North Carolina after finishing my education. I am so happy to have made the Wilmington area home. I spend most of my free time with my wife or outdoors, exploring nature through hiking, skiing, running and cycling. Sometimes my exploration takes me to the sky; I am passionate about aviation and proud to have a pilot's license, allowing me to appreciate the world from a unique perspective.

Megan Herrington, PA-C, situated in Jacksonville, NC, stands as a trusted healthcare provider offering a spectrum of medical services to the local community. Specializing in comprehensive care, Megan Herrington provides expert primary and specialty services, catering to diverse healthcare needs with precision and empathy. With a commitment to patient well-being, this healthcare facility prioritizes preventive care and health education, striving to empower individuals with the knowledge to lead healthier lives. Known for their patient-centric approach, Megan Herrington, PA-C, blends advanced medical treatments with a compassionate touch, ensuring each individual receives personalized and attentive care. By embracing innovative technologies and upholding high standards of quality and safety, Megan Herrington exemplifies a dedication to excellence in healthcare delivery. Serving as a pillar of healthcare in Jacksonville, this facility embodies inclusivity and accessibility, making a positive impact on the lives of many through their unwavering commitment to exceptional medical care. Generated using this brand's available information