J. Kent Thorne joined the Heart Center in 1992.  He is nationally recognized for his very low complication rates for bypass surgery.  He has additional training in pediatric thoracic surgery, but has focused his carrer on adult throracic surgery at St. Marks Hospital. 

Dr. Thorne is a native of Utah.  He was born in American Fork, attended Highland High School and received his B.S. at the University of Utah in 1975.  He then started medical school at the University of Utah, finishing in 1978.  

Dr. Thorne served his internship at UCLA, then returned to the University of Utah for general surgery. Afterwards, he completed his cardiovascular and thoracic surgery training at LDS Hospital.   In 1985 Dr. Thorne ventured east to fill a Fellowship position at Boston Children's Hospital in Pediatric Cardiac Surgery.

Dr. Thorne is certified by both the American Board of Surgery and the American Board of Thoracic Surgery.  He is a member of the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society, and is also a Fellow with the American College of Surgeons. From 1987 to the present, Dr. Thorne has served as a Clinic Instructor in Surgery at the University of Utah.  

Dr. Thorne is now employed by HCA and work at St. Mark's  Hospital and Timpanogos Hospital.

Dr. Thorne is married and has two children.