Dr. Richard Kyle Hayes, a Memphis native and board-certified family medicine physician, recently joined the team at Regional One Health’s Harbor of Health.
Dr. Hayes takes a patient-centered, individualized approach to providing care.
He looks to build lasting relationships with patients so he can help them manage chronic conditions, prevent serious illness and improve their overall wellbeing.
Family medicine physician Richard Kyle Hayes, MD has joined Regional One Health’s Harbor of Health primary care practice in Harbor Town, where he hopes to build lasting relationships with patients to help them improve their health and quality of life.
As a Memphis native, Dr. Hayes says it is rewarding to improve the health of the community in which he grew up. “Memphis is home for us,” he said. “My family loves being here, and for me serving patients at Harbor of Health is a great opportunity.”
Dr. Hayes’ interest in the medical field started early in life. His father is in medical sales, so from a young age he visited hospitals with his dad and interacted with physicians.
“I knew from a relatively early age that medicine was something I wanted to pursue. I was always interested in science, especially biology,” he said. “As I went into middle school and high school, the classes I was most drawn to were anatomy and physiology.”
Dr. Richard Kyle Hayes is the new primary care provider at Harbor of Health. “I want to establish that rapport, understand where they’re coming from and let them know we’re a team,” he said.
Dr. Hayes studied biology at Christian Brothers University, then earned his medical degree at St. Matthew’s University School of Medicine in the Cayman Islands.
The experience helped inform his care philosophy, as it gave him a chance to work in Orlando, Chicago, Cleveland and Grand Cayman during rotations. “It helped me become well-rounded in terms of serving diverse patient populations and working in different hospital systems,” he said.
During medical school, Dr. Hayes volunteered to conduct health screenings for participants at local health fairs. He discovered a passion for establishing relationships with patients and helping them set goals and become self-motivated to care for their health.
That led him to pursue family medicine as his specialty.
“The most gratifying interactions I had during medical school were the patient interactions – talking to patients, getting to know them, and establishing a relationship so we could work together to manage their conditions and improve their overall health,” he said. “I decided that outpatient primary care was what I wanted to do long-term.”
He completed his residency at University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in Jonesboro and then earned board certification as a family medicine provider. He is a member of the American Academy of Family Physicians and American Medical Society.
Dr. Hayes said Harbor of Health is a great fit for the style of personalized, relationship-driven care he hopes to offer.
Harbor of Health, located on Mud Island, is a convenient resource for people who live and work in Harbor Town, the downtown business sector, the Medical District and other nearby communities.
As a primary care provider, he sees patients for preventative care, diagnosis and treatment of illness and injury, and management of chronic conditions. He aims to approach every patient as an individual and listen carefully to their concerns and goals.
“If a patient trusts me and knows I’m genuinely interested in what they’re saying, they’re more likely to listen to my suggestions,” he said. “I want to establish that rapport, understand where they’re coming from and let them know we’re a team. I can only make suggestions – it’s up to the patient to follow through.”
He noted Harbor of Health is a great resource for patients who live or work on Mud Island, downtown, the Medical District and other nearby business and residential areas.
“We make it convenient and comfortable for patients to receive the care they deserve,” Dr. Hayes said. “Getting regular primary care is essential to improving your health and preventing serious problems, and we want patients to know we’re here to take care of them.”