Why I Came, Why I Stayed: Cindy Knickerbocker, who started at Jennie Edmundson during high school, recently celebrated 50 years at Methodist

In “Why I Came, Why I Stayed,” you’ll get to know people who are making a difference every day at Methodist and how they contribute to providing The Meaning of Care. To explore career opportunities at Methodist, visit bestcare.org/jobs.

Cindy Knickerbocker
Senior operations analyst
Methodist Information Technology

Tell us more about yourself and your background with Methodist.

I have worked in information technology (IT) at Methodist for over 30 years in some capacity. I started by doing data entry and now work in the IT Operations Center.

I celebrated my 50th year work anniversary at Methodist on May 26.

I’ve been married to my husband, John, for over 30 years. We are members of El Bethel Assembly of God church. We have four sons: Donnie (daughter-in-law Marisa), Brandon, Isaiah and Elijah. We also have one granddaughter who plays hockey, one grandson who loves Godzilla like his grandpa, three grand-dogs and one grand-kitten. I love to read and, when time allows, I like to craft, scrapbook and make cards. I also collect panda and turtle trinkets. 

Why Methodist? What attracted you to the organization?

During my senior year of high school, I needed an office job for an office education class I was taking. My counselor sent me to Jennie Edmundson Hospital, where I interviewed and was hired. I attended high school in the morning and worked at Jennie Edmundson as a file clerk in the afternoon. Before I graduated, I was offered a full-time job at the hospital. I started my new job one week after graduation in Patient Accounts working Medicaid insurance accounts. Later, I was given a chance to do data entry. I also did two years of Accounts Payable before going back to data entry. 

When the bank that performed Jennie Edmundson’s computer work closed its division, Jennie formed its own computer department and I transitioned into working there. I did computer room work, which included printing payroll and accounts payable checks, reports for Finance, and patient bills. I also created some report designs. When Jennie Edmundson joined Methodist, I transferred to IT, supporting fax machines, phones, etc. – basically an on-site help desk at Jennie Edmundson – then went on to the Desktop Team. After about 15 years, I transitioned to the Help Desk, now known as the IT Operations Center (ITOC).

What is it about Methodist that keeps you coming back?

I like helping others. It’s a good feeling when you get off the phone and have been able to help resolve the issue an employee, patient, provider or outside vendor had so they can do their jobs and get what they need.

Everyone matters! Everyone has a very important role in the health system no matter what position or job they hold.

I am fortunate that my boss, Roy Meadows, suggested I work remotely from Jennie Edmundson. I live in Council Bluffs, so that works out really well because of the needs of my family. 

I tell people I was born at Jennie Edmundson and my parents had to sign papers before they could take me home – but I also feel at home here because I’ve worked at Jennie for most of my life. 

Do you have any favorite Methodist memories?

In 2021, my husband’s health went from bad to worse. His kidneys shut down, and we believed he had suffered another stroke. He was no longer able to walk, drive or transfer himself from his wheelchair. When he came home from the hospital on Christmas Eve 2021, we had to arrange transportation for him to and from dialysis treatments. We had a 1997 Ford Crown Victoria sedan that wouldn’t accommodate him in his wheelchair. Transportation costs were mounting. My director, Lanette Morgan, talked to me and said that someone – to this day I don’t know who that angel was – suggested contacting the Methodist Hospital Foundation for help and asked if that was OK with us. We agreed. She went a step further and asked if they could open it up to IT. The outpouring of generosity from IT and the Foundation was overwhelming and such a huge blessing. We were blown away! With the extra funds, we were able to put a nice down payment on a used wheelchair-accessible van – which we still have today and use for his dialysis trips and doctor appointments. This truly exemplifies The Meaning of Care!!

Have you had a mentor or colleague who has stood out during your time at Methodist?

There are many people, including: 

• Dennis Weeks, a boss from my early years who was very patient and a great teacher for someone who had never done IT work before
• Desktop team members I worked side by side with – Tim Gienger, Nate Burkart and Kevin Rush – and who helped me learn on the job
• The ladies of the original Help Desk – Marge Hansen and Rhonnie Berman – who showed me the ropes

The entire staff of ITOC and the IT division are incredibly awesome and a great team to work with!

What should people know about Methodist, its mission and its culture?

Methodist Health System – no matter which hospital, clinic or facility – strives to show that The Meaning of Care affects not only patients and the community but also the staff that work countless hours to provide patient care, maintain each location and keep systems and hardware running and updated.