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James Alan Olson, MD
I speak: English
My gender: Male
Where I practice
- Emergency service
- Urgent care services
- After-hours services
- Pharmacy services
- No emergency services
- No urgent care services
- No after-hours services
- No pharmacy services
About me
After completing medical school from George Washington University in Washington, D.C., I began my surgical training at University of Colorado in 1995. Following residency, I pursued specialized training in colon and rectal surgery and was appointed clinical instructor of surgery at University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine and attending staff at Los Angeles County Hospital. I was fortunate to serve as associate director of the anorectal physiology lab work, where I performed specialized testing and evaluation of patients with complex anorectal issues, fecal incontinence and ultrasound evaluation of rectal cancer.
My private practice career began in New England. As an Idaho native, I returned to open my private practice offering specialized care to Southwest Idaho for 17 years. As I entered the next phase of my surgical career, I was led to practice within an integrated health care organization that aligned with my professional philosophy to provide high-quality health care with compassion, dignity, respect and inclusivity.
About my practice
As a board certified colon and rectal surgeon, I treat conditions related to the colon, rectum and anus. While most colorectal conditions are treated surgically, I am able to also offer medical management for certain diseases in an attempt to avoid surgery.
Relationships are the cornerstone my medical practice, including the doctor-patient relationship. It is my role to provide appropriate education and engage patients so that they are able to participate in the management of their medical conditions and make informed medical decisions. I believe in a multidisciplinary approach to health care and work closely with my colleagues for optimized patient outcomes.
How I thrive
While I enjoy hiking, cycling and reading, my nonmedical passion has been music. I have played live music for over 30 years and hope to continue to perform as I age. It is my opinion that there is a song or lyric for nearly anything someone can or has said. You may often catch me quoting musical lyrics or humming a melody during conversations that invoke similar phrases or themes. I love musical theater and quietly wish I had "the chops" to be on stage.
I tend to be a private person, but I am learning to share as I mature. My wife for more than 25 years has showed me how to be more generous, to be more loving and to be a better version of myself. During my free time, I enjoy hiking with my wife and dog, and enjoying the amazing arts and culture that Atlanta has to offer. We are proud supporters of our local arts and theater, local Humane societies, public radio and many other organizations.
Medical groups and plans
The Southeast Permanente Medical Group
Kaiser Permanente Glenlake Comprehensive Specialty Center
Plans accepted
- HMO or EPO
- Individual and Family Plans - Added Choice
- Senior Advantage
- Signature HMO
Contact information
- Health Line
- 1-800-255-0056 (toll-free TTY for the hearing/speech impaired)
- Health Line
- 1-800-611-1811 (toll free)
- Health Line locally
- 404-365-0966
My training, certifications and licensing
Medical school
George Washington Univ School of MedicineBoard certification
American Board Colon & Rectal Surgery
American Board Colon & Rectal SurgeryAmerican Board Surgery
American Board SurgeryTo verify board certification for an individual practitioner, please visit the American Board of Medical Specialties, the American Medical Association, or the American Osteopathic Association websites.
Medical training
Fellowship
University of Southern California School of MedicineInternship
University of Colorado Health Sciences CenterResidency
University of Colorado Health Sciences CenterJoined Permanente Medical Group
This information is not available at this time.My hospitals
This information is not available at this time.
To find:
- a Kaiser Permanente provider’s office hours, search our facility directory
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Information about a provider is provided to us by the provider or the provider's network, or is obtained as part of the credentialing process. Board certification may not reflect contracted services available from providers listed in our directory. If you have questions regarding this or about any of our providers, call us at 1-800-611-1811 (toll free). For the hearing and speech impaired: 1-888-865-5813 or 711 (TTY). You can also call the Georgia Composite Medical Board at 404-656-3913, or visit their website.
This page was last updated on: 05/13/2025