INSPIRATIONAL HOMETOWN DOCS
NEVER LOSE FAITH
By Katie Snyder
Dr. Michael Brad Bayless
Serving children and families with an integrated health approach Dr. Michael Brad Bayless always knew he was destined to help others, but it was not until he went to college that he found his calling. “Growing up I was surrounded by kids with different levels of dysfunction,” Dr. Bayless says. “I saw the impact it had on their lives and realized I had a chance to make a change and make something better.” Dr. Bayless went on to receive his bachelor’s and master’s in psychology from Northern Arizona University. Shortly thereafter, he went to Arizona State University, where he received both his masters and Ph. D. in psychology. In 1982, Dr. Bayless opened his first practice — Bayless health care — a behavioral health care system focused on children and families in Central Phoenix. “We believe in treating the whole person,” Bayless says. “Our unique business model incorporates physical and emotional wellness with behavioral and physical health to create a healthy lifestyle overall.” Determined and with a vision in mind, Bayless later took his unique business model out of the office and into the community — volunteering his services with homeless teenagers and inner city youth. “Health impacts the whole family, not just one individual,” Dr. Bayless says. “Many of these kids and families couldn’t afford to get the help they need. I knew that I needed to do something.” When he was not treating patients, Dr. Bayless looked for any opportunity to help those in the community. He dedicated over 30 years helping homeless teenagers and inner city youth overcome their behavioral health issues. “Between pressures from peers and troubles at home, it can be hard to be a kid these days,” Dr. Bayless says. “Many of these kids experience emotional and physical health problems, causing them to behave in negative ways.” His work earned him a variety of awards from peers, health care entities, and community organizations, including the prestigious Carver Center Health and Science Leadership Award. 22
August 2014 | azhealthandliving.com
Pictured above: Dr. Michael Brad Bayles
“It’s a great when you know that you’re making a difference,” Dr. Bayless says. “But when your peers and colleagues recognize the things you’re doing and the impact it’s having, it makes it all worthwhile.” Today his knowledge and expertise has helped him expand Bayless Healthcare. With over 64 staff, 12,000 patients and growth from a single location to four in Phoenix and Chandler—Dr. Bayless and his team are able to effectively help people of all ages and socio-economic classes by offering a comprehensive list of emotional, physical and behavioral health services and treatments. According to Dr. Bayless, their unique business model allows them to treat the whole patient. Rather than sending them to numerous doctors, Bayless Healthcare can consult, evaluate, and treat patients in one place. “We want to help people understand how integrated health benefits patients and the communities around us,” Dr. Bayless says. “Everything we do is to improve the patient experience and outcome. Most companies have their mission statements hanging on the wall. We make it our goal to live ours.”