Sutton earns Chancellor’s Gold U Award

For the past several years, Cindy Sutton has been the “heart and soul” of UNMC’s efforts in the American Heart Association Heart walk.

In 2002, she helped UNMC and its hospital partner, The Nebraska Medical Center, become the leading corporate fund-raiser, raising more than $30,000 to help fight disease and stroke. Last year, she again volunteered to lead UNMC’s efforts, completing the walk wheeling her 8-month-old twins in their stroller.

“It’s become kind of a payback in honor of my family,” she said, citing several relatives who have suffered from heart-related illnesses and indirectly benefited from AHA research.

But, Sutton’s dedication to UNMC extends beyond the annual May event. As section administrator of cardiology, clinic manager of cardiology and administrator of the health informatics program, Sutton ís outstanding administrative skills have earned her the Chancellor’s Gold ‘U’ Award for December.

Meet Cindy Sutton Title: section administrator for cardiology, clinic manager for cardiology and administrator of the health informatics program. Job responsibilities: Runs the clinic, schedules clinics, does budgets, contract negotiations, and business planning. Also monitors all professional fee billing and grants for the section. Joined UNMC: March 20, 1995 One day I’d like to: Backpack through Europe with my husband and boys. Greatest personal achievement: The adoption of my twin boys — now 16 months.

“My job has aspects of teaching,” said Sutton, who once envisioned teaching elementary students. “The main role of a manager is to cultivate and challenge the staff so they aspire to the highest level they can — even if that means kicking them out of the nest.”

Overall, Sutton has administrative responsibility for more than 50 employees. In February, she also will manage current staff members at a new cardiology clinic at UMA West.

“I have the most incredible clinic staff in the world,” Sutton said. “The section staff is phenomenal, too. I try to do my job to the best of my ability and am committed to ensuring that physicians and staff are happy.”

The Omaha native received her undergraduate degree in actuarial science and mathematics from the University of Nebraska at Kearney and her master’s degree in public administration from the University of Nebraska at Omaha.

Before joining UNMC in 1995, Sutton worked at then-First Tier as a personal banker and credit analyst for corporate lending. Through a friend on campus, she learned of a grants accounting position vacancy in UNMC’s department of pathology and microbiology. She credits much of her success to Administrative Director Mike McGlade and Section Chief John Windle, MD, who have helped her make good decisions regarding her career and have always supported her.

In April 1998, she moved to cardiology. “She has recruited, retained and earned the respect of an outstanding group of secretaries, administrative assistants, medical technicians, nurses, and even computer programmers at a time of tremendous financial strain in the section and the institution,” her nominator said.

Sutton is working on a fellowship through the American College of Cardiovascular Administrators, where she serves as a board member, co-chair of the membership committee and a member of the strategic initiative committee.

In addition to her participation in the May 1, 2004, heart walk, Sutton enjoys bowling and playing golf with her husband, Shawn. The couple also is rediscovering simple treasures thanks to their twin boys, Benjamin and Joseph. “You really start to see things for the first time again,” she said.