Good Samaritan Welcomes Two New Members to Board of Governors

Good Samaritan is proud to announce the addition of two new members to its Board of Governors: Craig Kirk and Dr. Lance Payton. Both began their term in June and bring decades of experience in finance, health care, and community leadership to the board.

Craig Kirk currently serves as Vice President and Senior Commercial Banking Executive at First Financial Bank. A lifelong Knox County resident, Kirk has a deep connection to Good Samaritan.

“The hospital is very near and dear to my heart,” said Kirk. “I was born at Good Samaritan, and so were our three daughters. When my wife needed cancer treatment in 2020, we chose Good Sam not only for the convenience, but for the quality of care that several of our friends had received.”

Kirk brings more than 33 years of experience in the financial services industry and has served on multiple local boards. He hopes to use that background to offer practical insight and support as Good Samaritan continues to navigate the challenges of rural health care.

“In the short term, I want to better understand our strengths, weaknesses, and the challenges rural providers face. Long term, I want to see us continue making sound decisions that benefit both our employees, patients and the families we care for every day,” Kirk said.

Dr. Lance Payton, a familiar face at Good Samaritan, serves as President and CEO of Midwest Emergency Medicine, Inc., and has worked as an Emergency Department Physician at Good Samaritan for 25 years. He has held multiple leadership roles during his tenure, including Medical Director of the Emergency Department and Medical Staff President.

“When I was asked to consider joining the board, I was both flattered and humbled,” Dr. Payton said. “It’s an honor and an obligation. Emergency physicians interact with all areas of a hospital, and I hope to bring a strong clinical perspective to help guide decisions that benefit both our caregivers and our patients.”

Dr. Payton is passionate about strengthening local health care resources and ensuring patients continue to receive high-quality care close to home. “The future of health care is uncertain, but I’m committed to helping Good Samaritan create a sustainable, patient-centered environment that supports both our community and our employees,” he added. “I also want to continue making Good Samaritan one of the best places for our employees to work.”

Good Samaritan CEO Rob McLin expressed enthusiasm about the new appointments: “We are fortunate to welcome Craig and Dr. Payton to our Board of Governors. Their expertise in finance and medicine will be invaluable to the continued growth and success of Good Samaritan for many years to come.”