A board certified ophthalmologist, Dr. James C. Hays is a native of Memphis, Tennessee. Dr. Hays earned his medical degree from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. He then completed his ophthalmology residency at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit. Dr. Hays spent an additional 2 years in a specialty Corneal Fellowship program at the prestigious Dean McGee Eye Institute in Oklahoma. That extensive training has created demand not only for his surgical skill but also creates many instructional requests from his colleagues. Dr. Hays has taught in Europe, South America, Canada, Africa, and across the U.S.

He shares that training and his time by being an active part of the faculty of the DiStefano Regional Eye Center. He treats patients and performs cataract surgery weekly at the Chattanooga center location. Dr. Hays makes his home in Atlanta but enjoys being back in the Volunteer state weekly. He has an active Atlanta practice and founded the Atlanta Eye Surgery Group. Dr. Hays enjoys travel and is an avid competitive tennis player.