I am pleased today to introduce Dr. R. Craig Bales, M.D., who will address us today on
the subject of "Illness and Injury in the Drum Corps Activity." Dr. Bales is a leading
professional in the field of pre-hospital emergency medical care delivery and training in the
State of Texas. An El Paso native, Dr. Bales is a specialist in the administration and delivery of
emergency health care services. His broad knowledge and experience have made him much in
demand by fire departments, municipalities, universities, and sports associations throughout
Texas. In addition, an excellent working knowledge of computer software applications and data
collection enables Dr. Bales to assist and train clients in low-cost methods of administrative and
patient data management.
He was an AFS foreign exchange student to Germany (1962) and a student athletic
trainer for all sports in high school and during his first year of college. Dr. Bales received a
Bachelor of Science degree with honors from The University of Texas at El Paso (1967) and a
Doctor of Medicine degree from The University of Texas, Medical Branch at Galveston (1971).
He served a Medical Internship with the U. S. Navy and holds certifications in Advanced
Cardiac Life Support and Pre-Hospital Trauma Life Support. Dr. Bales has served on the staffs
of several Texas hospitals and held the position of Chief of Emergency Services at Bellaire
General Hospital in Houston from 1974 to 1983. Since 1992 he has served as the Medical
Director of the Harris County Community Supervision and Corrections Department (Adult
Probation) where he supervises the medical care of 3,000 defendants sentenced by county
district courts to alternative residential programs in probation.
Dr. Bales has also served on the medical staffs of two medical clinics, an air ambulance
service, the Houston Astrodome from 1978 to 1994, and as Medical Director of two municipal
fire departments. As an educator, Dr. Bales assists several colleges, universities, and
municipalities in the professional development and certification of emergency medical
personnel. Throughout his academic and professional career, Dr. Bales has received numerous
honors attesting to his competence, commitment, and compassion.
During the past four years Dr. Bales has volunteered his services to the"exSightment of
Sound", a Houston area group that sponsors a DCI approved competition each summer. Through
that participation and the attendance of various other DCI shows each year, he has a keen
interest in the health care of the drum corps activity.
Please welcome the contributions of Dr. Bales to RAMD Virtual Symposium 1995:
Drum Corps Reconsidered.