11 / 24
continued on page 12
What can patients
expect when they
show up for their first
appointment with you?
Facing a diagnosis of
cancer can be a daunting
experience, and I want
my patients to know that
their treatment team will
be with them at every
step of the way on their
journey. As a physician,
I believe strongly that
one of my most impor-
tant duties is to educate
my patients about their
diagnosis and about the
treatment options that
are available to them. I
strive to make sure my
patients have a good
understanding of their
disease and of the treat-
ment options available to
them. I want my patients
to feel that they are equal
partners in the care that
they receive.
What are some of your
hobbies?
Our family enjoys the
great outdoors, be it
hiking, biking, playing
sports, etc. With two
young children, it is rare
for us to not be occupied
with some sort of game or
activity. When I do have
time, I enjoy photography
and look forward to the
beautiful landscapes and
sunsets of northern Idaho.
What drew you to
Kootenai Health?
During my visits to
Kootenai Health, the
dedicated staff and
top-notch facilities
amazed me. Kootenai
Health has a robust
clinical research program
and a long track record of
outstanding patient care.
Kootenai Health collabo-
rates with the Mayo Clinic
Care Network, which
ensures that patients can
receive national expert
second opinions from the
comfort of their home-
town cancer center. When
I was looking for a new
opportunity, Kootenai
Health stood head and
shoulders above the
crowd as a program which
delivers big-city cancer
care with a small-town
feel. When coupled with
the natural beauty and
abundant activities in
northern Idaho, it was an
easy decision for our
whole family.
CLIFF
HAMPTON, M.D.
Neurologist
Kootenai Clinic Neurology
Tell us a little bit
about you and your
family.
My wife, Rebecca, and
I have been married for
about 12 years. We have
three energetic boys, ages
9, 6 and 3. Rebecca grew
up in Wyoming and
Oregon, and I’m from
Utah. We met, dated,
were married and fin-
ished college in Utah,
then moved to Houston
for medical school (Baylor
College of Medicine), then
to Denver (University of
Colorado) for my neurol-
ogy residency.
Why did you pick
your specialty?
The human nervous
system is as fascinating
as it is complex. When
things go wrong, it
can cause all sorts of
problems—from numb-
ness and tingling to
drastically changing one’s
personality and everything
in between. Our under-
standing of the brain and
the rest of the nervous
system is so limited. The
more we learn the more
we realize we really don’t
know. In the field of
neurology, I enjoy doing
what I can to help people
with problems that affect
them in profound ways.
What can patients
expect when they
show up for their first
appointment with you?
I listen to patients’
concerns and I always try
to explain things so that
everyone understands the
situation and what the
next steps are. I believe
in shared decision mak-
ing, where patients are
informed about their op-
tions and guide their own
care with the assistance
of their physician.
What are some of your
hobbies?
We like doing anything
that we can do together
as a family—even grocery
shopping. We especially
enjoy long walks where
the boys can explore
while Rebecca and I have
a chance to talk. We also
have fun watching cheesy
musicals with a big bowl
of popcorn.
What drew you to
Kootenai Health?
Rebecca is excited
to return home to the
KH . ORG
11
I enjoy the
OPPORTUNITY
to help people
with neurological
problems that
affect them in
profound ways.