Dr. Hughes received his Bachelor’s Degree from Mississippi College. He then received his Medical degree from Bowman Gray School of Medicine at Wake Forrest University, followed by internship and General Surgery residency at Roosevelt Hospital, NYC.
Dr. Hughes was then called to Active Duty in the US Army and served in the Continental US and in the Republic of Vietnam, including service in the Medical Company of the 173rd Airborne Brigade. Upon returning to civilian life, Dr. Hughes completed Residency in Orthopaedic Surgery at Johns Hopkins Hospital followed by fellowships in Orthopaedic and Experimental Surgery in Basel, Bern, and Davos, Switzerland.
Dr. Hughes was then a Professor and Attending Physician at John Hopkins University before accepting a position at the University of Mississippi Medical School and Center (UMMC). In his distinguished career at UMMC, he was the Medical Center Chief of Staff, and Interim Chairman of the Departments of Surgery, and the first Chairman and the M. Beckett Howorth professor of Orthopedic Surgery and Rehabilitation and medical director of the University Rehabilitation Center. Dr. Hughes is currently a Professor Emeritus at UMMC and there is a campaign to establish the James L. Hughes Chair of Orthopedic Surgery and Rehabilitation to honor his many contributions to the practice of orthopedic surgery.
Dr. Hughes is one of the three original U.S. corresponding members of AO International. He has over 100 published articles, presentations and exhibits and awards too numerous to mention. He has been a medical advisor to numerous companies and is heavily sought as a lecturer and consultant.
Dr. Hughes and his lovely wife live in Jackson, MS where they enjoy spending time with their grandchildren.