When Tom Bauer, M.D., gestured toward the window of his new office at Great Bend Internists (GBI), he said: "I was born right over there — right across the street." He was referring to the original site of St. Rose Hospital on the Dominican Sisters convent grounds.
On Wednesday, Dr. Bauer started seeing patients at GBI, which is owned by St. Rose Ambulatory & Surgery Center. He is replacing Dr. Richard Preston who recently retired, and is sharing offices with Drs. Jean Pringle and James McReynolds.
Drs. Bauer and Preston met at medical school and have been friends and professional colleagues ever since.
"Dr. Preston is an excellent internist and I am here for any of his patients," Dr. Bauer said, noting he is available for new patients too. "We understand it can be difficult to change doctors but will do our best to ensure each patient has a smooth transition.
"Dr. Pringle and Dr. McReynolds are experienced internists and each of us has the same goal," he added. "We want to satisfy the health-care needs of our patients with a continuity of care. We know how important continuity can be to peace of mind for patients and their families.
"St. Rose is a wonderful facility with excellent patient flow, personnel and organization," he continued. "All lab, X-ray and other ancillaries are excellent services and I am very pleased to be here."
He practices general internal medicine, which is non-surgical medicine for adults, including mental health problems.
Dr. Bauer’s most recent position was staff physician at Stafford County Hospital and Medical Clinic. His background includes 35 years as an internist at the Hutchinson Clinic and serving on the active staff at the Hutchinson Hospital Corporation. He also cared for patients at Leisure Homestead Nursing Home facilities in both St. John and Stafford.
He graduated from Hudson High School, Elmhurst College in Illinois, and the University of Kansas School of Medicine, where he also completed a rotating internship and internal-medicine residency in 1971. He is a Clinical Assistant Professor of Internal Medicine at KU in Wichita, and has received 12 American Medical Association physician recognition awards.
He is currently living in Stafford but looking for a home in Great Bend.
Mark Mingenback, executive director of business strategy and marketing, said St. Rose is fortunate to have recruited someone of Dr. Bauer’s expertise.
"Dr. Bauer is a perfect fit for us, in light of Dr. Preston’s retirement," Mingenback said. "His commitment to provide this continuity of care is appreciated as we continue all our recruitment efforts."
