Cindy Siler (Brentwood, Tennessee) -- 2014 NCHN Outstanding Health Network Leader (pictured right, with husband)

The National Cooperative of Health Networks Association (NCHN) announced the 6^th national award winners during its 2014 Annual Educational Conference in St. Louis, Missouri last month. Cindy Siler, Deputy Director of Tennessee Rural Partnership, was selected as the recipient of the 2014 NCHN Outstanding Network Leader. NCHN is a membership organization comprised of health network leaders from throughout the nation. The Outstanding Network Leader Award recognizes a network leader with at least five (5) years of experience for leadership in managing a successful health network organization.

Tennessee Rural Partnership (TRP) was incorporated in 2005 to serve the state by assisting in recruitment and retention of physicians and other health professionals. Since 2006, under Siler’s leadership, TRP has provided invaluable services to the rural areas of the state. TRP has placed 81 clinicians serving over 200,000 patients throughout the state and has implemented over 40 rural rotations. Its Stipend Incentive Program has given over $7.7 million to rural Tennessee.

Siler serves on the NCHN Board of Directors and is Chair of the Membership Task Force, a member of the 2013 Leadership Learning Community and an active and frequent participant on NCHN Coffee/Tea Chats. TRP recently underwent a major reorganization, moving from an independent organization to forming a partnership with the Tennessee Hospital Association. “Her expertise in handling this transition was one of the reasons that she was nominated for this award,” said Rebecca Davis, Executive Director of NCHN. “Cindy managed to keep the core mission of TRP intact and protected, while supporting staff during the transition. She is an active participant in membership calls and activities, and her willingness to share her growth experience with other network directors and support her peers while dealing with her network’s transition are shining indicators of her keen leadership abilities.” She continues to grow in her dual role, as a Deputy Director in the Hospital Association’s organizational chart, assuming duties related to that position, while serving as the TRP’s Director. 

“Cindy is a champion of healthcare for the rural and underserved in Tennessee,” continued Dr. Davis. “Everything she does comes back to the goal of expanding primary care access to the most vulnerable populations. She is a tireless advocate for this mission, and her lifetime of service reflects her dedication.” During her career in the non-profit healthcare industry, Siler has served on numerous boards and led community activities. She has been the Board President of both the Tennessee Primary Care Association and the Rural Health Association of Tennessee.  In 2013, she was awarded the Eloise Hatmaker Distinguished Service Award by The Rural Health Association of Tennessee.

NCHN is a professional membership organization of health network leaders across the nation. Its mission is to support and strengthen health networks through collaboration, networking, leadership development and education. The Association has members in 31 states. By definition, health networks are formed when three or more health care providers formally come together to better meet the needs of patients in their service area. These providers often include hospitals, community health centers, critical access hospitals, physician practices, mental health providers, rural health clinics and other for-profit and not-for-profit health care organizations. The networks strive to increase access to quality health care for local patients and streamline the cost of that care. For more information please go to www.nchn.org.