02/06/2025

Member Highlight

Gary E. Hicks-Clayton, DNP, RN, CNP, AGPCNP-BC, CRRN

As an Adult-Gerontological Primary Care Nurse Practitioner, my commitment to improving health outcomes spans generational communities, empowering individuals at various stages of life. With diverse experience in critical care, home care, hospice, rehabilitation nursing, and my current role as a palliative care provider at a Level 1 trauma center in Kansas City, Missouri, I have witnessed firsthand the profound difference quality care makes, no matter the setting. However, my passion for home health is especially strong, as it is in this space that personalized, compassionate care can truly transform lives.

In addition to my clinical work, I serve as a Clinical Assistant Professor at the University of Missouri-Kansas City. I am dedicated to mentoring the next generation of nursing leaders. I advocate for evidence-based practice and seek to advance our profession by cultivating critical thinking, innovation, and cultural competence. Collaboration—across disciplines, specialties, and cultural boundaries—is essential to providing the best patient care and achieving meaningful health outcomes. I encourage new nurses to embrace the power of collaboration, reach across cultural chasms, and foster teamwork to drive care goals forward.

Ultimately, my mission is simple: to ensure that every patient, especially those whose voices often go unheard, receives the care and respect they deserve. The opportunity to work alongside like-minded professionals and organizations to create healthier, more equitable healthcare practices is what motivates me every day.