About
Dr. James Jacobs built his internal medicine career in the Cary and Raleigh area over more than three decades. He earned his Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry and Biology from Cedarville University in 1988. He then completed his Doctorate of Medicine at The Ohio State University College of Medicine in 1992. His Internal Medicine residency at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill ran from 1992 to 1995. The program selected him as Acting Chief Resident in 1995. He holds the Diplomate from the American Board of Internal Medicine.
Dr. Jacobs has served as a Clinical Assistant Professor of Medicine at the University of North Carolina School of Medicine since 1997. He previously served as Managing Physician of Raleigh Medical Group and Cary Medical Group from 2000 to 2009. Best Doctors Inc. recognized him as one of the Best Doctors in America in 2007-2008 and again in 2015-2016. Cary Magazine named him one of the Triangle's Top Physicians in 2009. He has earned Patients' Choice Awards and multiple NCQA certifications covering cardiovascular care, diabetic care, and Patient Centered Medical Home Level 3 status. Outside medicine, Dr. Jacobs lives in Cary with his wife Kimmie and their five children. The family has served on medical missions in El Salvador, and Dr. Jacobs has sat on the board supporting that mission since 2008. He volunteers as a developmental league basketball coach through his church's sports ministry at Colonial Baptist Church.
Education & Training
Undergraduate
Cedarville University, Bachelor of Arts, Chemistry and Biology, Bible minor, 1988
Medical School
The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Doctorate of Medicine, 1992
Residency
Internal Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, 1992-1995; Acting Chief Resident 1995
Additional Training
Clinical Assistant Professor of Medicine, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, 1997-present
Certifications
Conditions Treated
Who is Dr. Jacobs right for?
Dr. Jacobs serves adults who want a long-term relationship with a dedicated internist. Patients managing chronic conditions such as type 2 diabetes, hypertension, or high cholesterol benefit from his focused approach. His NCQA certifications in cardiovascular and diabetic care make him a strong fit for patients with those specific concerns. People who value direct physician access and want to skip nurse practitioner visits will find his model well-suited to those expectations.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Dr. Jacobs focuses on internal medicine and chronic disease management. He has particular expertise in type 2 diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol, and cardiovascular care. He also treats asthmatic bronchitis and manages respiratory conditions. His NCQA certifications in cardiovascular and diabetic care reflect his sustained clinical focus in those areas.
Yes. Dr. Jacobs holds the Diplomate from the American Board of Internal Medicine. He completed his Internal Medicine residency at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill, where the program selected him as Acting Chief Resident in 1995.
Dr. Jacobs earned his medical degree from The Ohio State University College of Medicine in 1992. He completed his Internal Medicine residency at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill from 1992 to 1995. The program appointed him Acting Chief Resident in his final year.
Yes. Dr. Jacobs makes himself available by phone 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Members can contact him after hours and on weekends for urgent concerns. This direct access is a core part of his MDVIP practice model.
You will see Dr. Jacobs at every visit. His practice does not use nurse practitioners or physician assistants as substitutes for physician care. Every appointment goes directly to Dr. Jacobs.
Best Doctors Inc. named Dr. Jacobs one of the Best Doctors in America in both 2007-2008 and 2015-2016. Cary Magazine recognized him as one of the Triangle's Top Physicians in 2009. He has also earned Patients' Choice Awards and multiple NCQA certifications covering cardiovascular care, diabetic care, and Patient Centered Medical Home Level 3 standing.
Yes. Dr. Jacobs has served as a Clinical Assistant Professor of Medicine at the University of North Carolina School of Medicine since 1997. He holds memberships in the American College of Physicians, the North Carolina Medical Society, and the Wake County Medical Society.
Dr. Jacobs maintains affiliations with WakeMed Cary Hospital and Rex Hospital. If a patient needs inpatient care, he works within those systems to coordinate treatment.
Doctor profile last updated March 23, 2026