When Cindy Weiss began working in 1973 as a 16-year-old nursing assistant, she wasn’t thinking about building a career that would span more than five decades. She simply knew she enjoyed helping others.
Now, 53 years later, Cindy’s remarkable journey reflects something that’s always been at the heart of Vivie: meaningful work, a supportive team, and opportunities to grow.
Cindy’s passion for serving others began when she was a volunteer at a long-term care community near her home. When she was old enough, she applied for a nursing assistant position at Walker Southview, a skilled nursing facility that was part of Vivie’s legacy organization, Walker Methodist. It was the beginning of a career dedicated to serving older adults.
As her career evolved, Cindy embraced every opportunity to learn and advance. She worked as a nursing assistant before becoming a trained medication aide while attending nursing school. After earning her licensed practical nurse (LPN) credential, she spent 14 years providing direct care before transitioning into a new chapter of her career.
When Walker Southview closed in 2003, Cindy moved to another Walker Methodist community and eventually stepped into the scheduling role she holds today at Vivie. As a scheduling specialist, she helps ensure residents receive the care they need by coordinating caregivers and schedules across the health-care team.
On an average workday, Cindy manages approximately 40 shifts, balancing team member availability, certifications, vacations, call-ins, and resident needs. It requires flexibility, problem-solving, and constant communication. Beyond scheduling, she prepares admission charts and manages discharge records.
Over the past five decades, Cindy has witnessed the evolution of senior living firsthand. When she first started, long-term care was often the primary option available, and many residents remained in care through the end of life. Today, older adults have access to a broader range of choices, including independent senior living, assisted living, short-term care, home health care, hospice, and more. She’s also seen significant changes in training, resources, and support available to both residents and team members.
Throughout those changes, one thing has remained constant: people.
“I enjoy taking care of seniors, but also the friendships I’ve made over the years,” Cindy says. “You kind of become like family.”
Those relationships, combined with a commitment to continuous learning, are what have kept her engaged throughout her career. As she gained knowledge through school and experience, she made it a priority to share what she learned and support fellow team members. She finds fulfillment in helping both residents and team members have positive experiences each day.
Whether it’s helping residents receive care from caregivers they know and trust, or scheduling team members in areas where they enjoy working, Cindy believes small actions can make a big difference.
Cindy has also appreciated the trust leaders placed in her throughout her career. “I was often asked to take on extra duties, which made me feel valued,” Cindy shared.
Being trusted with new responsibilities was a sign that others believed in her abilities and wanted her to grow. “There’s always something new to learn no matter how long you’ve been doing the work,” she said.
It’s also one of the reasons she encourages others to consider a career at Vivie.
When asked what makes Vivie different, Cindy points to both the people and the opportunities to grow.
“There are advancement opportunities here,” she said.
Her advice for someone considering a role at Vivie is simple: start where you can, stay open to learning, and keep growing.
Looking back on 53 years, Cindy is most grateful for the opportunity to serve older adults and the lifelong friendships she’s made along the way.
Her story is a powerful example of what can happen when meaningful work, opportunities to grow, and supportive leadership come together. It’s also a reminder that workplace culture isn’t built through policies or programs alone. It’s built through people who care deeply about the work they do and the people they do it with.
At Vivie, those connections continue to make all the difference.
Whether you’re beginning your career or looking for your next opportunity, Vivie offers a place where you’re supported, can grow your skills, build strong relationships, and make a difference every day.
As Cindy’s story demonstrates, a career built on purpose and relationships can last a lifetime. Join us and discover where your journey could begin.