Cindy Thienes, Accounts Receivable Manager

Cindy Thienes started working with the elderly when she applied to become a nursing assistant and got the job at the age of 16. Since then, she has wanted nothing else for her career. "When a group of people becomes your extended family, they stay in your heart forever." Cindy saddens when she discusses the difficulties of being so close to the elderly, knowing that death is a commonplace occurrence in a place where the average age is 89.

Thienes works for Heritage of Edina, a place she has called ‘home' for over two decades. "I drive two hours to work every morning, and two hours on the way home," she laughs. "I've been given offers at places closer to where I live, but I'm just not interested." Thienes started working at Heritage after spending 10 years at a Nursing home facility in the area and a shorter duration at three others. Over time, she saw changes that she didn't like. "The care and concern for the residents was diminishing in exchange for profitability. I didn't like what I was feeling," she remembers. What she sees at Heritage is an unshakeable philosophy to the "Reverence for Life," the belief of the original founder of Heritage of Edina, Wayne Field. Mr. Field still lives on the premises, and Maria Field, his wife, runs the day-to-day operations. "Having the owners living on the property makes such a difference," Thienes remarks. "It's a unique place with a feeling you can't get at a Corporate-run facility."

With two grown children, baking, gardening, fishing and antique shopping take up most of her spare time. But it's important to her that when she spends her time working, it needs to be at a place that warms her heart.

"I know how much they care; you see it in everything that happens here. I would recommend Heritage to anyone," she says with conviction. "There is no better testimony than a happy resident," Thienes smiles. "It keeps me coming back."

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