About Our Team
Over 60 Years of Trust
Founded on the belief that medicine is a form of art, Medical Arts Clinic has been proudly serving Bay City and the greater Matagorda County community since 1966. The clinic was originally established in its current location by three visionary physicians—Dr. Tillman Daniel, Dr. Harry Barnes, and Dr. W. Barton Griffith—who shared the philosophy that exceptional care begins with understanding the individual, not just the illness.
At Medical Arts Clinic, the “art” of medicine is reflected in the personalized approach taken with every patient. Each person is treated with thoughtful attention to their unique history, family background, and life circumstances. This foundational philosophy continues today under the leadership of Dr. Dane Simons, who honors the legacy of the founding doctors while guiding the clinic into the future.
Dr. Simons, a fifth-generation physician and proud Bay City native, reflects:
“Family medicine is, at its core, a form of art—one that draws from deep knowledge but is ultimately shaped by the unique canvas of each patient’s story. True family practice is not a one-size-fits-all approach; it’s a craft rooted in continuity, intuition, and the subtle details that no textbook can capture.”
Today, Dr. Simons serves as the sole physician and owner of the practice, continuing the traditions instilled in him by mentors Dr. Griffith and Dr. Daniel. With more than 30 years of experience, he remains dedicated to providing thoughtful, individualized care to every patient who walks through the doors.
Medical Arts Clinic has been recognized as Bay City’s Best Medical Practice by the Bay City Tribune Readers’ Choice Awards for the past 10 consecutive years—a testament to its enduring commitment to compassionate, high-quality care.
Dane D. Simons, MD
Dr. Dane Simons is a fifth-generation physician whose family has proudly served Matagorda County since 1893. Born and raised in Bay City, Texas, Dr. Simons is honored to continue his family’s legacy of compassionate, community-focused healthcare at Medical Arts Clinic, where he became a partner in 1994.
Dr. Simons earned his Doctor of Medicine from Texas Tech University School of Medicine in 1991 after completing a Bachelor of Arts in Biochemistry from The University of Texas at Austin. He went on to complete his internship and residency in Family Practice at Southwest Memorial Hospital in Houston, where he was recognized with the Norma Culver Award as Outstanding Senior Resident and served as Chief Resident.
Board certified by the American Board of Family Practice, Dr. Simons holds certifications in Advanced Cardiac Life Support, Trauma, and Neonatal care. Throughout his career, he has held numerous leadership roles in the local medical community, including serving as Chief of Staff and Chief of Medicine at Matagorda Regional Hospital, Medical Director for various local healthcare facilities and EMS services, and as County Health Authority for Matagorda County.
In addition to his clinical and administrative roles, Dr. Simons has contributed to medical education as a Community Faculty member with UTMB Galveston, teaching medical students about rural family medicine. He has also served on multiple scientific advisory boards and as a medical consultant for Fort Bend County Jail, performing psychiatric evaluations for inmates.
Outside of medicine, Dr. Simons enjoys spending time on his river oasis ranch with his wife, Bailey. A former tournament water skier, he still enjoys time on the water, as well as training horses, working cattle, and relaxing with a good book and his labradoodle, Noel. He is a proud father to his daughter, Amber, who is currently attending Harvard University. A loyal Texas Longhorn, Dr. Simons can often be found cheering on UT athletics.
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Kandace B. Steffek, RN FNP-C
Nurse Practitioner Kandace Steffek has been a valued member of the Medical Arts Clinic team for over a decade, delivering exceptional care as a Family Nurse Practitioner to individuals and families throughout Matagorda County. With more than 20 years of nursing experience, Kandace is known for her compassionate, patient-centered approach and her deep commitment to the community she proudly calls home.
In recognition of her outstanding service and dedication, Kandace was voted Best Nurse Practitioner of 2024 by Reader’s Choice.
A native of Palacios, Texas, Kandace began her nursing career after earning her Associate Degree in Nursing from Victoria College in 2000. She went on to complete her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Saint Mary in Kansas and her Master of Science in Nursing from Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi, where she trained as a Family Nurse Practitioner. She has been board certified by the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners since 2015.
Before joining Medical Arts Clinic in 2015, Kandace served in several key roles, including ER and ICU nurse at Memorial Medical Centers, ER RN at Palacios Community Medical Center, and Director of Nursing at Palacios Community Medical Center. Her clinical expertise spans emergency care, chronic disease management, and preventative family health.
Kandace holds active memberships with the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners and Texas Nurse Practitioners. She is highly respected by her peers and patients alike for her dedication, warmth, and professionalism.
Outside of work, Kandace enjoys an active lifestyle rooted in health, fitness, and faith. She and her husband, Bradley Steffek, have four children and three grandchildren. She loves spending time with her family, cheering on her children at sporting events, reading on her Kindle, and relaxing at the beach. Kandace is also an active member of St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Blessing, Texas, where she teaches CCD and serves as a lector during Mass.
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Shelly Bullock, RN, FNP-C
Shelly Bullock is a dedicated Family Nurse Practitioner with over 27 years of experience in nursing and healthcare. A Bay City native, Shelly is proud to bring her extensive clinical expertise back to the community where she was born and raised. Known for her compassionate care and commitment to helping others, she serves patients of all ages with a focus on wellness, prevention, and personalized treatment.
Shelly began her nursing journey after earning her Associate Degree in Nursing from Wharton County Junior College. She later completed her Bachelor of Science in Nursing and her Master of Science in Nursing with a Family Nurse Practitioner focus from The University of Texas at Arlington. She is board certified by the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners and remains passionate about staying current with the latest advancements in healthcare to better serve her patients.
Prior to joining Medical Arts Clinic, Shelly gained invaluable experience in various healthcare settings, including roles in internal medicine, pediatrics, family practice, and urgent care. Her clinical background includes managing chronic conditions, promoting health education, and working closely with patients to navigate both everyday concerns and more complex health challenges. Her goal is to create a trusted, long-term partnership with each patient she serves.
Shelly is a strong advocate for evidence-based care and enjoys helping individuals make informed choices to improve their overall quality of life. She believes in treating the whole person—physically, emotionally, and mentally—and works diligently to provide thoughtful, comprehensive care tailored to each individual’s unique needs.
Outside of work, Shelly is a devoted wife, proud mother, and loving grandmother. She finds joy in spending quality time with her family, attending church, shopping, and traveling—especially to beautiful beaches around the world. She is thrilled to be back home in Bay City, where she can give back to the community that has shaped so much of her life and career.
Visiting Providers
At Medical Arts Clinic, we provide specialized cardiology care every Wednesday, right in our facility. Our esteemed cardiologists, Dr. Mark Schnee and Dr. John Tyler, from Cardiology Consultants of Houston, PLLC, bring their extensive experience to deliver comprehensive evaluations and treatments for various heart conditions, ensuring exceptional care for our patients
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Mark Schnee, M.D., F.A.C.C.
Dr. Mark Schnee has been in private cardiology practice since 1977. He graduated with honors from St. Andrews University in Scotland, Faculty of Pure Science, in 1968. He attended Glasgow University Medical School from 1968 to 1972 and fulfilled his residency requirements at the Glasgow University Affiliated Hospitals. He served as the senior house officer at the University of Nebraska in Omaha and completed his fellowship there between 1975-1977. Dr. Schnee moved to Houston, Texas, where he finished a Fellowship at the Baylor College of Medicine. He began practicing at St. Luke's Episcopal Hospital in 1977.
Dr. Schnee is a Fellow of the American College of Cardiology, the Royal College of Physicians and the American College of Chest Physicians. He is currently a member of the Texas Medical Association, Harris County Medical Society, Houston Society of Internal Medicine and the Texas Heart Institute Professional Staff. He has also reached Diplomate status within the American Board of Internal Medicine for Internal Medicine, Cardiovascular Disease and Interventional Cardiology.
Dr. Schnee is licensed by The Board of Medical Examiners for the State of Texas, and he is affiliated with CHI St. Luke's Medical Center. He also performs consulting services in Bay City, TX for Matagorda General Hospital.
In recent years, Dr. Schnee's main areas of interest have been clinical cardiology, invasive and cardiac intervention, and peripheral vascular disease.
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John Tyler, III, M.D., F.A.C.C.
Dr. Tyler recently completed his fellowship in Cardiovascular Disease and Interventional Cardiology at the Texas Heart Institute, where he was elected Coronary Care Unit (CCU) fellow of the year 2015-2016.
He attended Texas A&M University, where he graduated Magna Cum Laude with his bachelor's degree in Biology. Dr. Tyler completed his medical degree at the University of Texas at Houston Medical School in 2012, where he was elected to the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Society. Subsequently, Dr. Tyler completed his residency at the University of Alabama at Birmingham in Internal Medicine.
Dr. Tyler is licensed by The Board of Medical Examiners for the State of Texas, and is affiliated with Houston Methodist Hospital and CHI Baylor St. Luke's Medical Center.
His clinical interests include clinical cardiology, coronary intervention, peripheral intervention, outpatient procedures, trans radial access, and TAVR.
Dr. Tyler's personal interests include: Aggie football, Houston professional sports teams, running, skiing, fishing, and traveling.
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Trey Allen, MA
Nurse for Dr. Dane Simons
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Becca Rodriguez, MA
Nurse for Kandace Steffek
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Maggie Garza
Nurse for Shelly Bullock
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Benesha Hargrove
X-Ray Tech/Laboratory Services
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Brittan Seidel, RT
X-Ray Tech/Laboratory Services
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Terry Stewart
Office Manager
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Isabel Velasquez
Billing
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Laura Flores
Billing
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Lauren Stewart
Collections
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Tori Garcia
Receptionist
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Darrian Martinez
Receptionist