Kourtney L. Kemp, MD, FACS

“I enjoy people,” said Kourtney Kemp, MD, FACS, “I enjoy learning about them and understanding how I can best improve their lives. In surgery, we usually can diagnose a technical problem that can be improved or repaired. It gives me joy to be able to help someone in a fixable way.” The surgeons and staff at Specialists in General Surgery are compassionate, kind, generous people who work hard serving others in times of need, she said. Outside of work, Dr. Kemp enjoys any time spent with her husband and four boys. She currently is learning to speak Mandarin.

Special Medical Interests:

• Esophageal disease and diagnostics
• Heartburn/reflux
• Robotic and laparoscopic surgeries
• Hernia surgery
• Traumatic injuries
• Colon/bowel/gallbladder disease

Education:

• BS in Chemistry and Math, Montana Tech School of Mines and Engineering, Butte, Mont.
• MD degree, with high honors, Ross University, Dominica, West Indies
• Residency: Hennepin County Medical Center, Minneapolis, Minn.

Certification:

• Board certified in general surgery, American Board of Surgery
• Advanced Trauma Life Support
• Pediatric Advanced Life Support
• Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support

Memberships:

• American College of Surgeons
• American Foregut Society (founding member) and Robotic Committee for Foregut Disease
• International Society for Diseases of the Esophagus
• Minneapolis Surgical Society
• Minnesota Medical Association
• Surgical Association of Gastroenterology and Endoscopic Surgeons

Leadership:

• Created first Physicians for Human Rights chapter in Dominica, West Indies
• Co-author of largest robotic Nissen/hiatal hernia case series
• Co-author of book chapter on robotic foregut surgery
• Director of Minneapolis Heartburn Center, Specialists in General Surgery
• Chief of Surgery – Maple Grove Hospital, 2017-2020
• Member, Medical Executive Committee, Maple Grove Hospital, 2017-present
• Peer Review Chair – Maple Grove Hospital

Awards:

• 2004 national environmental engineer design champion for design of sanitization and reduction of waste water in produce farming
• Award for Appreciation & Dedication to Dominican Youth Education
• Montana Tech Alumni Recognition Award 2014
• Top Doctor Rising Star, Mpls/St. Paul Magazine 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022
• Top Doctor, Minnesota Monthly Magazine, 2017, 2018, 2020, 2022, 2023, 2024