Long-time Crookston Nurse Cindy Meyer was recently recognized in Minneapolis at the Leading Age of Minnesota Institute and Expo as the “Caregiver of the Year,” an elite award given to one exceptional professional in elder care in Minnesota. Benedictine Living Community-Crookston, formally Villa St. Vincent, nominated Meyer for the award after decades of dedicated service as an LPN.
The Caregiver of the Year Award honors individuals in older adult services who demonstrate exceptional commitment to older adults and enrich the quality of life of those in their care. Meyer was selected for the prestigious award out of a field of more than 60,000 professional caregivers in LeadingAge Minnesota’s membership.
“Cindy Meyer is a career caregiver, devoting the last 36 years to her residents and coworkers at Benedictine Living Community in Crookston,” says Kari Thurlow, President, and CEO, LeadingAge Minnesota.
“We are so excited for Cindy.” States Benedictine-Crookston’s Executive Director Lindsey Erdman. “Cindy has been a faithful, expert, skilled, and compassionate nurse for many decades. She has excelled at all the areas of work she has been assigned over the years. From her creative education offerings as the Inservice Director and CPR instructor to providing bedside nursing care to her current role as our Summit Assisted Living Team Lead. You can always count on Cindy.”
Cindy was a 1978 graduate of Crookston Central High. She started her career at Riverview Hospital as a Patient Helper from 1983-1985, and when that position was no longer recognized, she came to the Villa as a CNA. She received a scholarship from the Villa to become an LPN, finishing in 1987 from the East Grand Forks AVTI. She worked a year at Riverview while waiting for full-time to open up for a Villa LPN floor nurse, returning in 1988 working various positions. The past 21 years as the Team Lead in the Summit Assisted Living. She eyes retirement; but has no concrete plans yet, which is “just fine with us,” according to a smiling Erdman.
Janet Wall Denison, whose beloved parents Lee and Sharon Wall, and grandmother, Lillian Wall, were all residents of the Summit, and Villa, eagerly spoke out on Cindy’s behalf during the nomination process. “Cindy Meyer is the hands and heart of loving care. Her unfailing hopeful, calming presence was balm to my heart hundreds of times throughout the years. She was there just to say “hi” and see that each one of my dear loved ones were well cared for when I arrived for a visit. She was there when my loved one needed extra attention and assurance. And, mostly, she took amazing care of their health day in and day out. I always knew it!
Cindy goes on to say, “I have worked next to the best. Many are great friends, several who are retiring now. I have met countless individuals in our care that have touched my life and made me who I am. I have worked all shifts and what feels like all jobs, and it has all been such a blessing. I have enjoyed serving countless people who have come and gone from our home here in the heart of the Red River Valley, and it seems more and more; my own friends and beloved family are seeking care from our team.”
“Thank you to my husband Mark, who has been by my side since our high school days. Our four children: Carisa Wright/her husband, Scott. Brett Meyer/friend Angie, Jennifer Delvecchio/husband Joseph and Emily for understanding all those times I was taking care of others. Thanks to my 5 Grandchildren, Emma, Ashtin, Brodie, Jayden, and Hadley, for bringing me so much joy and, of course, my parents Mary and (the late) Ronald Solheim, and my brothers and sisters for supporting me all the way. And a big thank you to BLC Crookston-you have been good to me as we took care of each other for 36 years. The award presentation was a grand celebration and made me feel so special. This moment will be with me for a lifetime.”
Meyer accepted the award at the LeadingAge Minnesota Institute, the state’s largest and most comprehensive aging services conference. More than 3,000 professionals in all aspects of older adult services attend the annual three-day event to learn about new and innovative programs, share best practices, and network with their peers.
For more information, watch the video of the 2023 LeadingAge MN Caregiver of the Year: https://youtu.be/jXiZf34xlKs.
