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Ryan Adams, MD
Ryan Adams, MD didn’t take a direct path to his current career as a general Surgeon serving Erath, Hamilton and Mills County, but he feels it’s where his life was leading him all along.
Dr. Adams has always been partial to smaller communities. After he was born in Salt Lake City, his family moved to Northern California and he worked on a dairy farm there.
He met his wife, Erika, in high school and started down a career in construction and building homes as they raised their four children, Gwen, Pierce, Gretel and Christian.
Adams faced a tough choice with four kids in school as he felt called to medicine.
“I was at a point where I enjoyed what I did,” he said. “But I felt like at that point, I wanted to do something a little more fulfilling—a little more challenging.”
With the support of an understanding family, Adams went back to school and completed his residency the same year as their oldest child, Gwen, completed college.
Although his decision may have been difficult, it’s not one he regrets.
“I made the career change to make me more of an asset to the world around me,” Adams said. “I continue to find it very fulfilling.”
Adams was first introduced to Central Texas in 2014 during his residency at Baylor Scott & White in Temple. His decision to stay in Central Texas stemmed from his love of rural setting and being called to where he could best serve.
“Before I came to Hamilton [in 2019], Hamilton was without a general surgeon for several years,” Adams said. “Before I was here, people would be transferred to the Metroplex, Temple or Waco and [transferring patients to cities] turns into a big ordeal.”
Dr. Adams noted that the complexity of arranging travel and potential lodging for patients can put a lot of burden on the patient and their family so he feels fortunate to be able to offer his service to people in the Erath, Hamilton and Mills communities.
“Central Texans live outside densely populated areas, but I don’t think it’s any reason they shouldn’t have access to the same surgical care as anybody else does.”
Adams offers a broad array of general surgery including gallbladder surgery, treatment for hernia, colon cancer, breast cancer and acute surgical needs for conditions like appendicitis and diverticulitis. He also does a lot of treatments for skin cancer and skin grafting. He also sees patients come in through the ER.
“I tend to see patients that have more complicated surgical needs that sometimes have been brushed off,” Adams said. “I try to do what I can with resources and within their needs. I try to be as available and open to even some of the more complex needs.”
When he isn’t working, Ryan and Erika enjoy spending time outdoors at their ranch outside of Hamilton. Although all of their children are grown now, Ryan said his entire family considers Texas their home.
Dr. Adams works most days at Hamilton General Hospital and alternates Wednesdays at Central Texas Surgical Services in Stephenville and Family Practice Clinic of Mills County in Goldthwaite.
To make an appointment, call his main office at (254) 386-1524.