McKenzie County Healthcare Systems Adds New Specialty: Urology

As of the beginning of November, McKenzie County Healthcare Systems (MCHS), welcomed Dr. Robert Bates, MD, FACS, a Board-Certified Clinical Urologist to their clinic. Urologists primarily focus on the kidneys, ureters, urinary bladder, and urethra. 

Dr. Bates specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of both male and female urinary tract conditions as well as the diagnosis and treatment of male reproductive problems. He has advanced training in pediatric urology and can treat a full range of adult and pediatric urological conditions. 

Dr. Bates attended the University of Chicago and from there went to the Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, where he did his general residency and urology residency. "When I finished that I came back to the Midwest and joined a fellow in Holland, MI, and practiced there from 1982 to 2015. I grew a big practice there and realized I wasn't ready to retire, so I moved to Jamestown, ND, and started a urology practice there," stated Dr. Bates. 

In the span of five years at the Jamestown Regional Medical Center, Dr. Bates helped kick start a urology program. He accomplished the development of a clinical and surgical program delivering general urology with urodynamics, female urology, endoscopic and extracorporeal stone treatment, and cancer surgery. "After we got that up and running, we had the intention of finding someone to take it over, and we were successful in doing so, so I was there until the end of October," stated Dr. Bates. 

After successfully starting the urology program in Jamestown, Dr. Mary Aaland approached him with the opportunity of starting the same type of program at MCHS. So, he agreed and came to Watford City. "At the moment, I am working on getting a practice organized and up and running so that they can transition to grow that practice and provide quality care to the community," added Dr. Bates. 

He is excited to provide quality urological care to the Watford City community. He explained that there are many things a urologist can do to help significantly improve a patient's life. "I love to see people be happy; to see their problems get taken care of so that they can get back to enjoying their normal life."

Dr. Bates will be at MCHS one week out of the month in residence and will also be providing telemedicine visits. He said, "I can see patients in person as well as electronically. With telemedicine, patients can be seen quickly without having to travel or wait for a long period - all while supporting their community."