Community Hospital-Fairfax, Fairfax, Missouri, welcomed Holt County native Clayton Kent as their new Chief Operating Officer last week.

After graduating from Craig High School, Clayton attended Pittsburg State University in Pittsburg, Kansas, on a football scholarship and received an undergraduate degree in biology. He received a master’s in physical therapy from the University of Kansas Medical Center and began his career as a staff physical therapist in Rolla, Missouri, before moving back to Pittsburg to take a position as Director of Therapy Services at Mercy Hospital.

While working at Mercy Hospital, Clayton was inspired to become more involved in hospital administration and obtained his MBA in 2021 from Pittsburg State University. Clayton is returning to Northwest Missouri with his wife, Holly. They have three grown children living in Chicago and Florida.

“My wife saw the Chief Operating Officer listing at Community Hospital-Fairfax, and we decided together that it was a great opportunity at the right time. I’m coming from a corporate medical environment, so I’m looking forward to providing healthcare to people I know and engaging with our patients on a personal level.”

Clayton joins the senior leadership team consisting of Ann Schlueter, Chief Executive Officer, of Tarkio; Samantha Grist, Chief Nursing Officer, of Fortescue; and Jon Davis, Chief Financial Officer, of St. Jospeh.

“We know Clayton will bring a unique perspective to our team as someone who grew up in Holt County and understands the healthcare challenges of our rural community, but also has experience in how larger facilities operate,” Ann Schlueter, CEO, said.