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Don Rigot, CSA
Co-founder & Advocate
Don’s experience navigating the healthcare environment began early, as he worked as an orderly at Shawnee Mission Medical Center before graduating from University of Kansas. Degree in hand, he entered the medical supply field, working with physicians and hospitals in the Midwest. A new career opportunity in the health insurance industry led to his relocating to Denver in the late 1980s. A decade later, he launched his own independent brokerage firm—Prime Benefits—to provide health insurance coverage to individuals and small businesses. During his career, Don has earned numerous certifications and awards for continuing education and service related to healthcare advocacy, including:
- Certified Senior Advisor (CSA) – recognizes comprehensive training on financial, health and social issues facing seniors
- National Association of Healthcare Advocacy Consultants (NAHAC) – professional organization ensuring consumer protection through advocacy
- Professional Patient Advocate Institute – resource and training institute for professional patient navigators
- Registered Health Underwriter (RHU) – accreditation for providing relevant, current information on individual, group, managed care, health savings accounts, disability and long-term care insurance
- Alliance of Professional Health Advocates (APHA) – national organization providing business support and professional dialogue on issues surrounding patient advocacy
- CLTC (Certified in Long Term Care) – recognizing comprehensive training in all aspects of long-term care insurance and planning
- Boomers Leading Change in Health – national movement focused on preparing adults 50+ for volunteer leadership roles to improve community health
- Colorado Patient Navigation Training – certification in conjunction with Boomers Leading Change in Health recognizing training to serve as Patient Navigators, Community Health Workers and Policy Advocates
- Reconnect Leadership Training/St. Anthony Hospital, Lakewood, CO – intensive training in Diversity, Medical/Pharmaceutical Technology, Patient & Family Resources, End of Life issues, Family Dynamics and The Aging Process
- Reconnect Volunteer/St. Anthony Hospital – advocating for patients and families through discharge communication, chronic disease education, transition to home and follow-up support
- 2013 Volunteer Award/Denver Health Medical Center – for improving the patient experience: recognition of Don’s volunteer service (2011-present) as a transportation/navigation volunteer, working closely with hospital case navigator and staff to ensure coordinated care
- 2011 Colorado Biz Magazine Award – Employee Benefits Professionals/highest in satisfaction
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Cindy Rigot
Co-founder & Advocate
Cindy is a Colorado native, a graduate of Colorado State University and a healthcare professional with nearly 30 years of communications experience. She served at Lutheran Medical Center, now part of the Exempla health system, for 11 years, progressing from marketing and customer service coordinator to lead marketing manager. Key among her responsibilities was helping re-envision the hospital environment and care process to be more supportive of patients and their families.
From 1997 through 2012, when she joined Don to expand Re:assured Advocacy’s reach, she served with St. Anthony Hospital/Centura Health. Hired initially as Physician Practice Marketing Manager, she established the strong communications bond that helped grow the hospital’s primary care network. In 1999, she was advanced to Director of Marketing for the organization, where she spearheaded all branding, marketing, community relations and internal communications related to the hospital’s move to its new Lakewood campus. The creativity and effectiveness of this major relocation’s community campaign merited the Colorado Healthcare Communicators Gold Leaf Award. While part of St. Anthony Hospital, Cindy helped establish a comprehensive social media program, helped open the new breast and bone health center, and managed an annual budget exceeding $1 million.
Cindy is a graduate of the Patient Navigator and Community Health Worker program sponsored by Boomers Leading Change in Health. During her career, Cindy has earned numerous certifications for continuing education and service related to healthcare advocacy, including:
- Alliance of Professional Health Advocates (APHA) – national organization providing business support and professional dialogue on issues surrounding patient advocacy
- Colorado Patient Navigation Training – certification in conjunction with Boomers Leading Change in Health recognizing training to serve as Patient Navigators, Community Health Workers and Policy Advocates
- National Association of Healthcare Advocacy Consultants (NAHAC) – professional organization ensuring consumer protection through advocacy
- Professional Patient Advocate Institute – resource and training institute for professional patient navigators
- Boomers Leading Change in Health – national movement focused on preparing adults 50+ for volunteer leadership roles to improve community health
- Advanced Certification in Motivational Interviewing – Colorado School of Public Health | Patient Navigator Training Collaborative
- Alzheimer’s Association Savvy Caregiver Training – Clinical level training for family members caring for someone with Alzheimer’s
- CPR/First Aid Certified
“Cindy is a consummate professional. She has high standards, and the quality of her work is superb. She has a keen sense of humor and is fun to work with—she also has a great deal of integrity and resolutely stays on the high road. It was a pleasure to work with her for more than a decade, and I am happy to recommend her.” – Kathleen Mayer, Program Director, Flight For Life Colorado |
