What happens after you’ve built a successful 25-year career and realize you’re not done yet? For Cindy Burke, a cherished member of the TrueCare family, it meant rediscovering purpose in a place where passion, impact, and heart drive the daily mission. As Director of Grants at TrueCare, Cindy found more than another job; she found a calling. After years in government research, Cindy joined TrueCare with one goal in mind – to give back. But what she found was something even more powerful. At TrueCare, she discovered a culture built on collaboration, compassion, and making a lasting difference in the lives of others. 

Her journey is proof that no matter your background, TrueCare is a place where you can bring your whole self and thrive. Curious about what it’s like to work somewhere that values you as a person, not just a resume? Cindy’s story might just inspire your next step.

Discovering Your Purpose: Why Cindy Burke Chose TrueCare (and Why You Should, Too!)

So, what drives someone to leave a well-established career and start a new chapter in community health? For Cindy Burke, stepping out of her comfort zone and into a new career meant stepping into something more meaningful. 

Cindy wanted to align professional skills with personal values. She was searching for a mission-driven organization where people genuinely care, and where she could make an impact. This is why starting at TrueCare felt more like a homecoming than just a new job. 

To understand what possibility awaits you at TrueCare, take a moment to learn more about Cindy’s story in her own words. 

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Why Do People Join TrueCare After Long Careers in Other Industries?

Cindy Burke’s story with TrueCare begins at the end of a substantial life chapter. After a long and successful government career in data science research, Cindy was ready for something different – something more meaningful. 

“After 25 years, I was ready to move on,” Cindy recalled, “but I didn’t want to stop working. I wanted to see how I could give back. Being able to come to an organization like TrueCare, where you can see the real impact your work is having, has been amazing – I didn’t know exactly what I was looking for initially, but I guess you could call it purpose. Needless to say, I found it here,” she said.

Her journey led her to TrueCare, a mission-driven community health center where she could apply her analytical expertise while serving a greater cause. Unlike the high-stakes, competitive culture she left behind, TrueCare offered a refreshing shift, she said, because it’s a place where everyone is committed to achieving a common goal: improving lives.

“I didn’t want to go into the for-profit world,” Cindy said. “I wanted to work somewhere with real meaning, where I could make a difference. I wanted to find somewhere that I could bring the skills I’d learned and developed in my previous career and use them to give back. When I started reading about TrueCare and seeing the women leaders that we have here, it felt like I found my next professional home. It resonated deeply,” she explained.  

What stood out to Cindy was the organization’s authenticity, especially when referencing the leadership and the inspiring women at the helm, and the values that echo throughout the organization: excellence, stewardship, and integrity.

“TrueCare walks the walk and talks the talk,” Cindy elaborated. “It really is inspiring every day to see that our teams bring that to what we do and give the best patient experience we can to everyone who trusts us with their care,” she said.

In contrast to her past experience in a more “cutthroat” environment, Cindy found TrueCare to be collaborative and deeply supportive. 

“Everyone’s here because they want to make a positive difference,” Cindy explained. “Every day at work is great, and it’s pretty special coming here and building genuine, strong relationships with the team,” she elaborated. 

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What is the Workplace Culture Like at TrueCare?

From the moment she joined, Cindy felt something rare: a genuine welcome. 

“There’s this invitation or embracement that just continues,” Cindy said. “It’s a really close-knit team, and that’s something that is almost palpable as soon as you step through the door, but everyone’s still very welcoming. They’re close-knit, but they’re more than happy to introduce new members to the fold,” she explained. 

Whether it was her team decorating her office for her birthday or checking in on her day-to-day, she knew she had found her people. She said it was really special because it was something that she had never experienced before in her previous career. 

The camaraderie extends beyond the office. From gala events to 5Ks to Walk with a Doc events to birthday celebrations to team hikes to upcoming bowling nights, Cindy highlights how TrueCare prioritizes connection. Potlucks are a regular occurrence, and coworkers share recipes in a community cookbook. Cindy’s flan, of course, is a favorite.

“Everyone comes together because we understand that we have more in common than we don’t,” she reflected. “We’re all different, but we embrace those differences, learn from each other, and we make a better and stronger team because of our differences. We really embrace our unique backgrounds and experiences – that’s an important quality to have if you want to work here because our staff and patients are incredibly diverse,” she said.

Even in her non-patient-facing role, Cindy sees the ripple effect of her work. Her team helps secure funding to remove care barriers, like transportation and uncompensated services. 

One proud moment was leading the application for a $2 million county grant to provide mobile vaccinations, a program that reached people where they were and created a true “medical home” for the hardest-to-reach.

“Knowing that, now, we’re going to be able to go out and provide services like vaccinations to people who didn’t have access before, because the mobile vans we have go and meet those who are hardest to reach, is really amazing,” Cindy said. “It’s not just about meeting medical needs – when you think about the behavioral health needs, the work we also do with food as medicine also makes a huge difference across generations,” she said. 

For Cindy, her dedication comes from a profoundly personal place. The father of her children passed away from cancer, so Cindy knows firsthand the importance of whole-person care and the life-changing difference it makes to have doctors, nurses, and other staff providing quality care. 

“I’m proud to be here at TrueCare because I see that that’s what our teams do,” Cindy said. “It’s not just about one visit. It’s about long-term care for generations to come,” she added. 

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What Qualities Does TrueCare Look for in Non-Clinical Job Applicants?

Cindy’s team may be behind the scenes, but the work they do is critical to TrueCare’s mission. So, what does she look for in new team members?

“A willingness to learn. Being humble. Being a critical thinker and a problem solver. Being willing to say, ‘I don’t know that, but I want to figure it out,’” Cindy mused. “It’s also about showing up with integrity, giving 110% every day, and appreciating the differences that make our communities and teams stronger. These are very important qualities to succeed here,” she explained.

Still, some qualities that TrueCare looks for in candidates, Cindy believes, can’t be taught.

“Integrity, caring, ownership, responsibility, a willingness to go above and beyond, really bringing your whole self, being a team player, those are things I can’t coach you on,” said Cindy. “You have to come with that. Being collaborative is also really important because we’re always trying to make the patient experience better, even those of us like me who aren’t very patient-facing. So, it’s really about figuring that out as a team and not working in a silo. Having that attitude is really important – you have to come in with the attitude of: How can I help? How can I make a difference?” she added. 

And at TrueCare, leadership starts at the top. From the CEO to the clinic floor, everyone models accountability and support. Cindy’s own leadership style is grounded in balance, empathy, and trust. 

“I don’t micromanage – I don’t believe in it,” Cindy said. “I trust my team, and I believe it’s really important to show them that. Instead, I coach, and I support,” she explained. 

She’s especially excited about the organization’s growth, from new health centers to new ideas. “There’s always room for innovation at TrueCare – it’s encouraged,” Cindy said. “If you’ve got a good idea and a good reason, you’ll be heard – you have a voice the moment you walk through the door,” she added.

Ultimately, she said being aligned with the mission and culture, being collaborative, and wanting to make a difference are the most important qualities for applicants, which is especially important when preparing for an interview.

“The reality is that people join the team with a wide range of experiences and skills, and everyone has the chance to contribute,” Cindy said. “The team brings a lot to the table, and even though we’re all different, we really come together and play off each other’s strengths and learn from each other. We make a better and stronger team because of our differences. So, there isn’t a specific set of hard skills we are looking for – it’s a lot of soft skills that will make you shine, like showcasing emotional intelligence,” she explained. 

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Why Should I Apply for a Job at TrueCare?

Working at TrueCare means being part of something bigger. As a Federally Qualified Health Center, TrueCare delivers care to those who might otherwise go without. 

“Health care is not just a privilege; it’s a right,” Cindy said. “And we’re doing something about that. It’s deeply fulfilling. If you work here, you know you’re making a difference. You see it and feel it every single day,” she explained. 

She’s also grateful for the flexibility and support TrueCare offers its staff, as well as the effort the entire team makes to create a fun work setting. 

“Work-life balance is important here, and it’s something we actually live, not just say – that’s really important because a lot of the team here are working moms,” said Cindy. “The environment is also really fun – our upcoming bowling event is something we’re all looking forward to. I don’t know if I can talk them into putting up the bumpers so I can get something other than gutter balls, but I’m looking forward to it. We do a lot of things outside of work together because we actually like each other outside of just the work setting. We’re a family here,” she said.

Cindy is, ultimately, especially proud of her grants team. 

“I appreciate the team,” Cindy said with a smile. “The work they do tells our story and makes it possible to do more good in the community every day,” she explained.

Cindy also said that it’s exciting to be part of a growing organization because it helps to grow the impact that they can make on the community. 

“We’ve seen a lot of growth since I’ve started, and I haven’t been here particularly long,” Cindy said. “We’ve already opened a few additional health centers, and knowing that we’re bringing new patients in who didn’t have that care before, educating them in a time of uncertainty, and knowing that we’re a safe place for them and seeing the different types of ways that we’re breaking down barriers on a continuous basis is just amazing,” she said. 

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What Roles in Community Health Don’t Get Talked About Enough?

When it comes to giving her team props, she recognizes that providers get a lot of shout-outs, and “rightly so,” as she put it. But Cindy says that in the field of Community Health, there are so many other professionals who make important contributions.

“You know, our IT department has been great and very responsive,” Cindy said. “It’s amazing to me the different types of technology that we use here. We have a group that looks at data, too, and data’s so important when we’re trying to put information out there to show a need to get more funding for things. There are so many people who further our mission that aren’t providers, and I think it’s important for people looking for a career to understand that when considering a role at a health center like this,” she said. 

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Are You Inspired by Cindy Burke’s Words and Journey? Apply for Community Health Care Jobs in San Diego at TrueCare Today! 

Cindy Burke’s journey is a poignant reminder for everyone that meaningful work doesn’t end with a career; it begins with a calling. Just as importantly, it’s a reminder that it’s never too late to discover your passion or learn how you can make a lasting impact on your community. At TrueCare, you’ll find more than a job. You’ll find a team that supports you, a mission that drives you, and a purpose that fuels your future.

Explore open roles at TrueCare and bring your passion to a place that’s changing lives, one story, one patient, and one purpose at a time.