TOPEKA, KS, MAY 27, 2022: Community Care Network of Kansas announces the retirement of Denise Cyzman, Chief Executive Officer. Denise Cyzman has led Kansas’s Primary Care Association since October of 2014, serving a network of community health centers and other nonprofit clinics.
Denise Cyzman has led Community Care Network of Kansas since 2014 and has over 40 years’ experience in national and regional healthcare, public health, and nonprofit leadership.
Prior to joining Community Care in October of 2014, Cyzman served as the Senior Health Consultant with the National Association of Chronic Disease Directors (NACDD) in Atlanta, Georgia, and Vice President of the National Kidney Foundation of Michigan. She has served as a diabetes and chronic disease Manager with the Michigan Department of Health, owned and operated a healthcare consulting business, and received numerous awards in recognition of her leadership and advocacy.
Cyzman also serves on the Board of Directors for the National Association of Community Health Centers, the Sunflower Health Plan, and previously the Children’s Oncology Camp Foundation. She was a member of the Governor’s Council on Medicaid Expansion, the Kansas School Mental Health Advisory Council, the American Society of Association Executives, and the KanCare Meaningful Measures Collaborative. Additionally, she is a 2020 graduate of Leadership Greater Topeka, 2016 graduate of the Sunflower Foundation’s Advocacy Fellowship and the University of Kansas’ Community Health Center Executive Fellowship, and a graduate of Dental Champions, Class VII. Denise has a Bachelor of Science degree in Nutrition from the University of Michigan, a Master of Science degree in Health Education from the University of Michigan, and is a Registered Dietitian.
“I was helped. Now I help.”
Denise Cyzman often describes herself in six words: “I was helped. Now I help.”
During her tenure as CEO of Community Care Network of Kansas, Cyzman oversaw the rebranding of the organization from the Kansas Association for the Medically Underserved (KAMU), supported a member network that serves one in nine Kansans, and guided Community Care Network and member clinics through the COVID-19 pandemic. With her team, Denise advanced the strategic direction of Community Care to enhance advocacy, training, technical assistance, and special projects.
“Denise has been an experienced change agent who substantially increased capacity through her leadership over the past seven and a half years.” Stated Matthew Schmidt, Board President at Community Care Network of Kansas. “As an advocate, Denise understands the importance of policy, partnerships, and people, and she has led the organization’s advocacy for state and federal policy to ensure equitable access to high-quality care for all Kansans.”
Schmidt went on to say, “We will miss Denise’s leadership, but her legacy will be felt in the future of this organization as we continue the work she, and all of us at Community Care, have been wholeheartedly invested in.”
Cyzman stated, “It has been an honor to serve as the CEO of Community Care Network of Kansas, working alongside my peers to serve our member organizations through advocacy, education, training, resources, and communication. We’ve accomplished so much together, forged valuable relationships in our communities and legislature, and positively affected change in our goal to provide access to high-quality healthcare for all Kansans.”
Denise Cyzman lives in Lawrence, Kansas with her husband, they have two grown children, and she intends to spend her retirement with her family — noting she is especially looking forward to spending more time with her grandsons. She plans to stay active in healthcare and her community through her volunteer work, board member duties, and small consulting projects. Denise is also looking forward to more physical activity, cooking healthy food, and re-learning how to play the flute.
“…there is more to be done and the fight to achieve health equity for all is a continuous job.”
Cyzman concluded by saying, “While I’m proud of what Community Care and our amazing staff has achieved in the past decade, there is more to be done and the fight to achieve health equity for all is a continuous job. As I retire, I am excited for the future of Community Care to continue this valuable work under new leadership along with our amazing team, dedicated members, and engaged legislators and Governor.”
Community Care is concluding a nationwide search for the next leader of the organization. The CEO will lead the Community Care Network of Kansas, a statewide membership association serving a network of more than 30 community health centers and other non-profit clinics, as they collectively achieve equitable access to high-quality, whole-person, integrated health care for all Kansans. With the Board of Directors, the CEO will guide the strategic direction, set long-term goals, and performance measures, identify and enhance strategic opportunities and partnerships, secure diversified funding, and advocate for policies to strengthen the network of Community Care Clinics. The CEO serves as the primary spokesperson for Community Care Network of Kansas.