Stanford Surgery Celebrates the Career of Dr. E. John Harris, Jr.

Dr. E. John Harris, Jr., MD officially transitioned to Professor of Surgery Emeritus in the Division of Vascular Surgery at Stanford University in 2025, after more than three decades of service as a surgeon, educator, and leader.

A Career of Excellence and Leadership

Harris grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area, the son of pioneering vascular and thoracic surgeon Edmund J. Harris, MD. After attending Bellarmine College Preparatory—where he was inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame—he went on to UC Berkeley for his undergraduate studies, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, and then to Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) for his General Surgery Residency and Vascular Surgery Fellowship. His mentors there included Drs. John Porter, Lloyd Taylor, and Gregory Moneta, all past presidents of the Western Vascular Society.

He was recruited to Stanford in 1992 by Dr. John Niederhuber to help establish the Division of Vascular Surgery alongside Dr. Ronald Dalman. Over the course of his career, Harris became a distinguished leader in both vascular surgery and surgical oncology, co-developing the Stanford Oncovascular Surgery program with Dr. Jeffrey A. Norton and colleagues. He also took trauma call for 10 years during his early career and was recognized nationally as a Castle Connolly Top Doctor.

National Recognition and Service

Harris has been deeply involved in organized surgery, serving as Distinguished Fellow of the Society for Vascular Surgery and the American Venous Forum, Past President of the Northern California Vascular Society and San Francisco Surgical Society, and active member of numerous national societies. Within the Western Vascular Society, he helped establish the Resident Forum and served as Program Chair, Secretary, and long-time organizer of the annual tennis tournament. He also chaired multiple committees for the American Venous Forum and served as Director of its Foundation.

Mentorship and Legacy

Over his Stanford career, Harris trained and mentored 46 vascular surgery fellows, many of whom remain in close contact and continue to seek his counsel. His impact as a teacher and role model has been felt not only at Stanford but across the vascular surgery community.

Festschrift and Celebration

To honor his remarkable career, a Festschrift was held on July 19, 2025, at the Menlo Circus Club in Atherton, CA. The evening featured remarks from Dr. Jason Lee, Chief of the Division of Vascular Surgery, as well as tributes by colleagues and mentees including Drs. Gregory Moneta, Ronald Dalman, Jeffrey Norton, Marcus Kret, Elizabeth George, and his son, Dr. Sean Harris. The program concluded with reflections from Dr. Harris himself and a special presentation recognizing his contributions to the field and his lasting legacy at Stanford Surgery.

A Life Beyond the Operating Room

Harris and his wife, Leslie, raised four children—Ryan, Sean, Kelsey, and Kerry—in Hillsborough, California. He is a proud grandfather to Charlotte, Jack, James, Luka, and Evelyn, with two more grandchildren on the way.