Joseph S. Bassett, M.D., a longtime prominent Metro Detroit Cardiovascular Surgeon, died on August 21, 2019 in Royal Oak, Michigan. He is survived by his loving wife, Anna (nee Mancini), his nephew, David Mancini and many, many wonderful friends and cherished colleagues.
From 1954-1955, he attended Adrian College and from 1955-1957 studied at the University of Michigan to satisfy his pre-medical education requirements. Joe was accepted to the Wayne State University, School of Medicine and graduated with honors on June 22, 1961. That same year, he began his year long internship at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital, Ann Arbor. A six-year residency followed at Wayne State University Affiliated Hospitals, beginning with General Surgery and moving into Cardiovascular & Thoracic Surgery. Starting in January of 1969, Dr. Bassett was named as a Clinical Instructor in the Department of Surgery at Wayne State’s School of Medicine. He held that position for 3 ½ years before he became the Clinical Assistant Professor within the program for 10 years. Until the time of his death, he served as Clinical Associate Professor for 38 years.
Dr. Bassett cared for thousands of patients over his 50 plus year career in several different hospital systems. He held positions as an active and courtesy staff member in the Cardiothoracic Surgery Department with Providence Hospital, Southfield, Harper University Hospital, Detroit, St. Joseph Mercy Oakland Hospital, Pontiac and Oakwood Hospital, Dearborn. Additionally, Dr. Bassett was part of the Cardiovascular Surgery Department at Beaumont Hospitals in Troy and Royal Oak, including as Chief of Staff of the Department of Cardiovascular Surgery at the Royal Oak campus from 1983-2007. He remained on staff after being given the distinction of emeritus.
Organizations he was a part of included Academy of Surgery of Detroit, American College of Cardiology, American College of Surgeons, American Heart Association, American Heart Association Midwest Affiliate, Anthony Wayne Society, Detroit Surgical Association, Michigan Chapter-American College of Surgeons, Michigan Society of Thoracic & Cardiovascular Surgeons, Michigan State Medical Society, Oakland Count Medical Society, Society of Thoracic Surgeons and Wayne State Surgical Society.
Over his successful career, he held the following offices:
1973-1974 Junior Councilor; Detroit Surgical Association
1979-1980 Junior Councilor: Detroit Surgical Association
1979-1981 Councilor; Southeastern Michigan Surgical Society
1981-1982 Delegate; Wayne County Medical Society
1983-2004 President & Founder, Southeastern Michigan Cardiac Surgeons
1985-1986 Senior Councilor; Detroit Surgical Association
1988-1989 Secretary; Detroit Heart Club
1989-1990 Vice President; Detroit Heart Club
1990-1991 President; Detroit Heart Club
1990-1993 Contributing Editor, “The Cardiac Chronicle”
8/91-1995 District 6 Councilor; Michigan Chapter, American College of Cardiology
1994-present President; Wayne State University Cardiothoracic Surgical Alumni Association
2001-2003 President Elect, Michigan Society of Thoracic & Cardiovascular Surgeons
2003-2005 President, Michigan Society of Thoracic & Cardiovascular Surgeons
2005-2007 Past President, Michigan Society of Thoracic & Cardiovascular Surgeons
2007-2013 Senior Councilor, Michigan Society of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgeons
& Committees he was a vital part of:
1984-1986 Wayne Co. Medical Society, Coronary Artery Bypass Project, Technical Advisory Panel
1992 Michigan Department of Public Health, Open Heart Surgery Advisory Committee
1990-2008 Cardiology Quality Assessment Committee, Wm. Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak
1992-1998 Greater Detroit Area Health Council, Coronary Artery Disease Project, Technical Advisory Panel
1993-1999 Southeastern Michigan Regional Heart Consortium, Clinical Advisory Group
1998-1999 Chairman, Metro Detroit Heart Ball, Dodrill Award Committee, American Heart Association
2001-2002 Medical Partners Committee, Detroit Heart Ball, American Heart Association
2000-2002 Dodrill Award Committee, American Heart Association
2004-2006 Michigan Department of Public Health, Consultant to CON Committee
Locally & nationally Dr. Bassett was recognized as a ‘Top-Doc’ for cardiac surgery and listed in America’s Top Doctors and Best Doctors in America. In 1998, he was bestowed with the Forest Dewey Dodrill Award for Excellence for Lifetime Achievement and Service to the Heart Cause, American Heart Association. Furthermore, he lent his expertise and knowledge in his field by contributing to countless publications and directing many seminars on the subject of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery.
Joe was a Life member of Oakland Hills Country Club and a devotee of Michigan Wolverines football, the Detroit Tigers, Lions, Red Wings and Pistons.
The world has lost a loving husband, a dedicated and caring physician, a pioneer in modern medicine, a wonderful and trusted colleague and a true friend to all who knew him. He will be missed.
Family will receive friends, Monday, August 26, 2019 from 4-8PM at A.J. Desmond & Sons (Vasu, Rodgers & Connell Chapel), 32515 Woodward. Funeral Mass Tuesday, August 27, 2019 at 11AM @ St. Hugo of the Hills Stone Chapel, 2215 Opdyke Road, Bloomfield Hills. Memorial tributes to Wayne State University, School of Medicine, 540 E. Canfield Ave., Detroit, MI 48201
