Accomplished UF professor and cardiologist talks about personal interests
Though he’s lived in the South for decades, Ted Bass’ love for New York has never waned.
The Long Island native visits his home state often and keeps up regularly with the happenings there, especially news about the professional sports teams in the New York City area.
“Yankees, Giants, Knicks, Rangers,” Bass said, listing which teams he follows the most. Whether it’s a big-name signing by the Yankees or a less-than-hyped Wednesday night Knicks game, Bass is on top of it. His knowledge of New York sports is evident as soon as the topics arise.
So know that Bass is well aware of the Yankees’ recent acquisition of former Mets star Carlos Beltran, the Knicks’ championship aspirations and the disappointing season put together by the Giants. But professional sports are just some of the interests Bass likes to devote time and attention to when he’s not treating cardiovascular conditions and guiding the next generation of cardiologists.
Bass is professor and chief of cardiology at the UF College of Medicine – Jacksonville and is medical director of the Cardiovascular Center at UF Health Jacksonville. He’s been affiliated with the University of Florida in a professional capacity for more than 30 years.
“It’s been a heck of a ride the last several decades,” he said while sitting in his office, which is inside the Ambulatory Care Center on the UF Health Jacksonville campus.
Bass realized his interest in cardiology while attending The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University in Providence, R.I. He says being able to help others is the most gratifying thing about what he does. A bulk of his procedures involve inserting stents, among other forms of coronary artery repair.
“I enjoy caring for my patients. I really do,” said Bass, who receives referrals from throughout Florida and parts of Georgia. “There’s no greater feeling than being able to help someone. My best days are when I’m seeing patients.”
Bass, who specializes in cardiovascular disease and interventional cardiology, is president of the Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions, a national organization he’s been a member of since 1991. He is also active with the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM).
He devotes many hours a week to his profession, and his involvement with ABIM requires him to routinely travel for meetings. So when he has spare time, he likes to spend it at home with his wife, Robin. The couple has three sons – two in their 20s and a teenager who lives at home. Then there’s Bass’ 4-year-old golden retriever named Chad.
“I’m crazy about my dog,” a smiling Bass said.
When not watching sports, Bass likes to engage in physical activity himself. He enjoys running and golfing. You can say he practices what he preaches, as exercise is on his list of ways to maintain a healthy heart. He also stresses proper dieting, not smoking and controlling risk factors such as hypertension and diabetes.
“This is of paramount importance,” he said. “We all need to make sure we’re doing the things to help ensure better health now and later on in life.”
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