Advancing Access

Cindy Beane

Commissioner, WVDHHR Bureau of Medical Services

Saint Albans native Cindy Beane has always known her career would be centered around helping others. Growing up, she wanted to be a teacher, but when she graduated with her teaching degree, there wasn’t a demand for educators in her area. There was, however, an open position at a community mental health center that she decided to apply for. “Once I got there, I loved it,” Beane says, “and that’s when I went back to school to get my master’s in social work.”

Beane has worked with the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources for over 20 years. The average tenure for someone in Beane’s current role—Commissioner of the Bureau of Medical Services—is around 24 months, but she’s six years in and going strong. With the help of her 85-person team, Beane keeps our state’s Medicaid program running smoothly.  “The changes and additions we can make with the Medicaid program really have a statewide impact,” she says.

“The impact that you can have as a Medicaid director is pretty phenomenal.”

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Since 2014 WV Living magazine has been honoring West Virginia Wonder Women, amazing women who are raising the bar in their communities, serving as beacons of light in their industries, and forcing change for the greater good. WV Living is proud to celebrate these Appalachian mothers, millennials, and mavens proving that in a time full of uncertainty, divisiveness, and hate, love for one another is all we really need. No need for bulletproof bracelets or a golden lasso of truth—these women are creating a better West Virginia with their can-do attitudes and Mountain State spirit.