Published on September 11, 2018
James Bass, MD, a family medicine physician with the Phelps Health Medical Group, remembers as a young boy going to his father’s office.
His father, Billy Jack Bass, MD, was a general practitioner in Salem, and Dr. James Bass credits his dad as to how he first became interested in healthcare and medicine.
“I remember him evaluating and treating patients,” Dr. Bass says about his father. “I would watch him, and it was so interesting how he put all the pieces of the puzzle together to arrive at a diagnosis. I decided that I wanted to do the same since I love science and I also enjoy people.”
Dr. Bass graduated from the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine in 1979. He completed an internship at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, Michigan, and later completed his residency training in emergency medicine in Oklahoma City. He is certified by the American Board of General Practice.
He began his career practicing medicine in the emergency room at St. Joseph Hospital in Kansas City. However, after a short time, he decided to focus on family medicine as his specialty. This change allowed Dr. Bass to build relationships with his patients and care for them over the years.
In 1983, Dr. Bass and his wife, Annie, now a local Realtor, moved to Rolla, where he began a private practice with offices in Rolla and Salem, where he grew up and went to high school. After the Salem office closed, he continued to practice medicine in Rolla, offering both inpatient and outpatient care.
In 2013, Dr. Bass joined the Phelps Health Medical Group and continues to see patients at the Phelps Health Medical Group - Bass clinic, located at 1201 Hauck Drive in Rolla. He also offers senior care at two nursing homes in Salem, including the Salem Care Center and Steelville Care Center.
“It seems we’re always adding new things, and that means patients don’t have to travel far to see a specialist or access quality services.” - James Bass, MD
Meeting new patients and following up with their care throughout their lives are among the things he enjoys the most about being a family medicine doctor. “The continuity, the relationship and the knowledge of the patient and the family make being a family medicine doctor so special,” Dr. Bass says.
Because Dr. Bass is part of the Phelps Health team, his patients have access to a variety of services at Phelps Health, including many specialists.
“I’ve been working at the Rolla hospital for years, and I’ve seen it grow,” he says. “It seems we’re always adding new things, and that means patients don’t have to travel far to see a specialist or access quality services.”
His staff describe Dr. Bass as very thorough and straightforward with his patients. In cases where patients need a referral to see a Phelps Health specialist, often times, Dr. Bass will personally call the specialist himself to make arrangements.
Since Dr. Bass is a family medicine physician, he sees patients of all ages and with all types of conditions. “I do some pediatric care for children ages 10 and up, and I also do elderly care for seniors living in nursing homes,” he says.
Dr. Bass offers sports physicals and other general care to patients as well as encourages screenings and other services to prevent illnesses.
“The best health advice I would give my patients is to eat a good diet and get some form of exercise at least four to five times a week,” he says. “Diet and exercise can make all the difference in the world when it comes to your health.”
Dr. Bass can help patients with colds and the flu or more serious diseases, such as diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease. In fact, Dr. Bass has a special interest in cardiovascular disease, which includes problems with the heart and blood vessels.
Dr. Bass says James Spadaro, MD, was a significant influence on his decision to work at Phelps Health. “He has helped me with my own health and education,” Dr. Bass says of Dr. Spadaro.
Dr. Bass has served Rolla and surrounding communities for 35 years. “I like having a job where I still enjoy going into work every day. I like my patients and practice here in Rolla,” Dr. Bass says.
For More Information
Dr. James Bass is accepting new patients at the Phelps Health Medical Group - Bass clinic, located at 1201 Hauck Drive in Rolla. For more information or to make an appointment, call (573) 364-8818.