Winneshiek Medical Center welcomes two new emergency physicians

Winneshiek Medical Center and Mayo Clinic Health System are pleased to welcome Christopher Cooper, D.O. and Sandy Clayton, M.D. to the emergency department at Winneshiek Medical Center.

Winneshiek Medical Center and Mayo Clinic Health System are welcoming Christopher Cooper, D.O. and Sandy Clayton, M.D. to the emergency department at Winneshiek Medical Center.  

Dr. Cooper graduated from Des Moines University College of Osteopathic Medicine and completed his residency from San Antonio Uniformed Services Health Education Consortium (SAUSHEC).  Dr. Cooper has spent the last four years at Irwin Army Community Hospital in Fort Riley, Kansas, with two of those years being the chief of the Emergency Department and EMS medical director for Fort Riley EMS and Fire Department.

Dr. Cooper shares, "My wife and I are both originally from Iowa. We chose to relocate our family to Decorah to be closer to home. Winneshiek Medical Center was the type of emergency practice I was looking for and the Driftless region's atmosphere shared our interests. We are an outdoors family— hunting, fishing, golfing, hiking, anything outdoors, really, is something we look forward to exploring in the region."

Dr. Sandy Clayton received her Doctor of Medicine degree from the University of Missouri and completed her residency from Medical College of Georgia. Dr. Clayton comes to Winneshiek Medical Center from Irwin Army Community Hospital in Fort Riley, Kansas. She was an active duty Army Emergency Medicine physician for four years following her residency, and for two of those years, she served as the chief of urgent care.

Dr. Clayton says, "I became interested in Winneshiek Medical Center for their strong connection to Mayo Clinic Health System. I also enjoy working in a community emergency department; the staff are fantastic and they take a team approach to patient care. And Decorah! We fell in love with the town. It's a small town feel, but with plenty to do. I have four children — ages 8, 5, 2 and 1 — they keep me busy on my time off and we really enjoy experiencing what this great town has to offer."