Back to All ProfilesPlay Video
Regional Operations Director, DaVita
During his second tour in Iraq, Captain Kyle Clay led a unit of combat engineers engaged in "route clearance"—removing bombs and IEDs from roads. Perhaps that is where he refined a valuable strength—the ability to "keep a positive, can—do attitude in front of your team"—that served him well when he switched careers after a decade in the Army.
Seeking to build his business acumen, he says, "I chose Owen because it has a strong Health Care MBA program that focuses on the business of health care rather than just hospital administration or health care policy. Nashville is at the crossroads of health care services, and Owen's program has support from senior health care executives who want to see it grow.
"I don't know any other program where I could take three different classes with a congressman, senator and former health care CEO all in the same day."
The program also enabled Kyle to become deeply involved in the local health care community. He served on the board of Leadership Healthcare. He also chaired the Healthcare Business Alliance Conference, leading a team that worked for eight months to put together an event involving 225 attendees, eight panels and 24 top industry leaders. Being empowered with such responsibility gave Kyle confidence that he had gained the skill set to become a captain of the health care services industry.
Kyle Clay
Vanderbilt MBA 2009Regional Operations Director, DaVita
A Commanding Advantage
At Owen, Capt. Clay Led Health Care TeamsDuring his second tour in Iraq, Captain Kyle Clay led a unit of combat engineers engaged in "route clearance"—removing bombs and IEDs from roads. Perhaps that is where he refined a valuable strength—the ability to "keep a positive, can—do attitude in front of your team"—that served him well when he switched careers after a decade in the Army.
Seeking to build his business acumen, he says, "I chose Owen because it has a strong Health Care MBA program that focuses on the business of health care rather than just hospital administration or health care policy. Nashville is at the crossroads of health care services, and Owen's program has support from senior health care executives who want to see it grow.
"I don't know any other program where I could take three different classes with a congressman, senator and former health care CEO all in the same day."
The program also enabled Kyle to become deeply involved in the local health care community. He served on the board of Leadership Healthcare. He also chaired the Healthcare Business Alliance Conference, leading a team that worked for eight months to put together an event involving 225 attendees, eight panels and 24 top industry leaders. Being empowered with such responsibility gave Kyle confidence that he had gained the skill set to become a captain of the health care services industry.
