Exceptionally Good Samaritans: Cindy Evans

Even in retirement, former Good Samaritan nurse executive remains connected

Cindy Evans’ retirement from Legacy Good Samaritan Medical Center in 2015 ended one chapter of her relationship with the hospital and opened another as a volunteer. Today, she and her friend, Kathy Shach, oversee the hospital’s historical archives. 

Her volunteer position has given her an even deeper appreciation of the institution as it celebrates 150 years of service to the Portland community. An exhibit of the anniversary at the Oregon Historical Society leaned heavily on documents and photos housed in the archives.

“It’s remarkable to think how Emily Loveridge elevated and trained top notch nurses,” said Cindy. “She became hospital administrator at Good Samaritan and founded the first school of nursing west of Rockies. She was a strong role model for me.”

Cindy joined Good Samaritan’s nursing ranks in 1968. The neighborhood, in that era, was filled with boarding houses and college students making an eclectic mix of people in a rough and gritty area. A little more than a year into her job, Cindy swapped out her steady role on a stroke unit to float between units. 

“Back then, the hospital had 539 beds and each unit housed a specialty like cardiology, urology, nephrology, ophthalmology, plastic surgery, internal medicine, critical care, you name it,” she said. “It was a great learning experience.”

In the mid ‘80s, Cindy began her transition from bedside nursing to supervising and administration, putting to use the master’s degree she earned in nursing administration. Her new role as the associate director of nursing included oversight of nurse staffing and the float pool, clinical quality assurance, staff development and clinical policies and procedures. 

“It was an interesting shift in work and responsibilities,” she said. “I never had an office, direct reports, an administrative assistant or worked at that level. It was truly baptism by fire.”

The formation of Legacy gave Cindy the chance to work across the system and assist in developing standards of care and processes for five hospitals. She ultimately became the chief nursing officer at Legacy Good Samaritan. 

For 25 years, Cindy Evans collected an eclectic array of nursing figurines, textbooks, novels and other nursing-related kitsch. She was unaware that those trinkets would provide the seed money for an annual Legacy Nursing Excellence Award in Mentorship created in her honor.
  
The award recognizes Cindy’s passion for nurturing and supporting student nurse leadership development. During the student’s leadership practicum, they shadowed Cindy in leadership meetings and discussions at all levels, providing them with a firsthand look not only at system and hospital operations but also to the values and mission of the institution.  

“I really believe in growing colleagues,” she said. 

In a way, it’s Cindy’s repayment for the help, guidance and encouragement she received during her tenure. 

“I was so dedicated to Good Sam because it’s such a comfortable place,” Cindy said. “I was afforded every opportunity to grow professionally. Good Sam has always strived to be a place of excellent quality care and it’s consistently attracted excellent personnel, regardless of the position. We all worked together to do the right thing and to give the best care to our patients.”