Cindy Stuyfzand has meticulously worked behind the scenes to make sure all participants have access to our program and the care they deserve since 2006.
As a medical coder and quality department registered nurse, her dedication and attention to detail have ensured participants have what they need to thrive. Even when she’s not working, that focus on others continues, as she serves as a caregiver to multiple loved ones at home. While often in the background, there’s no question Cindy has had a tremendous positive impact on countless people.
Now as she nears nearly five decades in health care, Cindy is ready to enjoy a well-deserved retirement. As her last day approaches on Aug. 28, we reflected with Cindy about her career.
“It’s been an amazing journey,” Cindy said. “From the minute I was hired, there was a family atmosphere, and I developed lifelong friendships that have carried all the way through. I couldn’t have asked for a better career.”
Cindy started her career at Blodgett Memorial Medical, working 10 years as a staff nurse on medical/surgical and cardiac rehab units. She then joined HHS Health Options 38 years ago, working primarily in utilization management before becoming a medical coder at Care Resources. Around that time, HHS turned into Reliance Community Care Partners, which is one of the umbrella organizations that formed Care Resources under Trillium Living.
Cindy is a longtime team member who has seen the growth of Care Resources first-hand since its opening in 2006. When she joined, Cindy recalls Care Resources having approximately 60 participants with one physician, one recreational therapist and one pharmacist.
“It was pretty barebones to start, but we have been continuously expanding,” she said. “Now we have two beautiful sites that serve more than 400 participants with a team representing 11 specialties. It’s been just amazing growth to be part of.”
Cindy looks fondly back on the early years with Care Resources. Having a lean team to start meant helping hands were often needed and she was always happy to contribute in different ways. While they were hiring more staff, Cindy enjoyed assisting with intake visits, serving lunch and cleaning up after meals, all of which gave her the chance connect more with participants.
“Participants were always so sweet and appreciative of everything,” Cindy said. “I do miss having that one-on-one interaction. When we moved to our new building, our team would walk around the walking track, and there was a participant who would always join. He became my special buddy who would walk alongside me, and we would chit chat. It was just fun to get to know him and have that routine together.”
Tom Muszynski, now chief operating officer of Care Resources, was the one who approached Cindy about coming to work for the newly formed nonprofit just over 18 years ago.
“He encouraged me to come be the coder for Care Resources, which was a role that evolved over the years,” Cindy said. “In addition to coding, I took on more responsibilities. I did quarterly reporting for the state, data collection, chart audits and more.”
Cindy had worked with Tom at HHS and trained him when he first joined as a nurse. To this day, Tom will proudly say, “Cindy taught me everything I know.”
They shared a caseload for many years, and being graduates from opposing schools – Tom, MSU and Cindy, U of M – enjoyed their fair share of lighthearted office pranks against each other.
“Tom and I have been bitter rivals in that way,” Cindy said, laughing. “We had a lot of fun over the years.”
While Cindy has often worked in the background over the years, Tom says her contributions have been invaluable, referring to her as a “great asset” as well as a close friend. Her work has had a direct impact on the organization’s ability to serve participants by ensuring maximum reimbursement.
“Cindy has had major dedication to this organization,” Tom said. “She’s always been very committed to her work, and she’s done an amazing job for us. We will definitely miss her.”
Having been a caregiver in addition to working various roles, Cindy is looking forward to having a flexible schedule and some time to relax in her next chapter. She plans to spend time with friends and family, work on house projects, read, knit and just enjoy retirement.
Thank you, Cindy, for your tremendous years of service to Care Resources! You’ve had an amazing impact and we wish you the best in your well-deserved retirement.
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