Dr. Kent Crighton knew from an early age he wanted to pursue a career in medicine. His cousin was a physician and he had a strong interest in the sciences throughout his life.
He attended Drury College, later named Drury University, for his undergraduate studies. After applying to medical school, Dr. Crighton was waitlisted. His advisor recommended applying to Ross University School of Medicine. Dr. Creighton immediately applied, not wanting to further delay his medical school eduacation. He vividly remembers the whirlwind interview process of flying from Missouri for his interview at RUSM’s corporate offices in New York City's Empire State Building in less than 24 hours. Shortly thereafter, he started his MD journey in Dominica in 1983.
Dr. Crighton has fond memories of his time at RUSM in Dominica, including bonding with fellow medical students, 'My peers were impressive, (they) were a talented group coming to the island to earn their (MD) degrees. They were passionate and determined to become physicians.' He also recalls carrying his own microscope, which was required at the time, through the Miami airport on his way to Dominica. He also enjoyed his clinical clerkships in New York City, London and Chicago, allowing him to travel and learn with fellow RUSM students during the latter years of medical school. Upon the his completion of his clinicals, Dr. Crighton matched at his first residency choice in internal medicine at Deaconess Hospital, now renamed Forest Park Hospital, affiliated with St. Louis University, in his home state of Missouri.
Dr. Crighton has now been in the medical industry over 30 years. He had a private internal medicine practice in Springfield, MO, served as the Medical Director of Operations at Northwest Iowa Trinity Health and the Corporate Medical Director of Sigma-Aldrich. For the past two decades, he has spearheaded Prudential Financial’s medical and physical/behavioral health programs as the Vice President, Chief Medical Officer. Dr. Crighton has been published four times relating to corporate wellness programs, racial and ethnic disparities in health programs and other vital healthcare topics. He is also a member of the American College of Physicians (ACP).
Dr. Crighton appreciates the opportunity Ross University School of Medicine gave him, from his career to the life-long friends he made along the way. 'RUSM helped me get me where I am today and for that I’m incredibly grateful.'
