Cindy Hux Martin ’78
By Dianne Frances D. Powell
Growing up, Cindy Hux Martin was taught by her parents the importance of serving others. She has certainly kept that lesson to heart.
For several decades, Martin, a 1978 graduate of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College, has been sharing her treasures, talents and time to various institutions in the Terre Haute community, including SMWC.
She gives of herself freely. “It’s a passion,” Martin said.
The 2014 recipient of the College’s Distinguished Alumni Award is set to receive another award this weekend, this time for her commitment to patients and to the advancement of health care at Union Hospital.
Martin will accept Union Health Foundation’s Baur Award which will be presented to her during the foundation gala 5:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday.
During an interview at downtown Terre Haute, Martin said she is both humbled and honored to be selected for the award, but she wants everyone to understand making a difference in people’s lives is not a “solo effort.”
“There are so many [people] that help me do what I do,” she said. “It’s a village.”
Since October 1989, she has served on the Union Health Foundation’s board of directors. She is also a current member of the Union Health Board (formerly Union Hospital Board), a post she has had since October 2005. She currently chairs the quality committee and serves on the governance and medical group committees.
She is a long-time member of Union Hospital’s Service League, a group of women volunteers who give their time and raise funds to purchase necessary equipment and services.
“Cindy Martin epitomizes the spirit of the Baur Award,” said Joel Harbaugh, executive director of Union Health Foundation. “Whether it’s helping raise funds for new services or researching ways to advance the quality of patient care, her limitless contributions of time, talent and treasure inspires everyone around her.”
Named in memory of Sister Johanna M. Baur, the first head nurse and first superintendent of Union Hospital, the Baur Award honors her enterprising spirit and legacy.
Harbaugh said it is given to a volunteer or employee of Union Health System or a member of the Board of Directors of Union Hospital who have served the hospital in an exceptional way evidenced by contribution of time and expertise to improve patient care or other aspects of the hospital’s service to their respective communities; contributions to and leadership of the establishment of new programs or services; and contributions to and leadership of the ongoing operations and management.
Described by Harbaugh as a selfless leader, Martin, in turn, credits her parents, Vernon and Donna Hux, for instilling in her a generous spirit. She said education and health are two causes dear to her father’s heart. “They transferred that passion to me,” she said.
But the Terre Haute native, a former member of the College’s board of trustees, also cites her “character-forming” years at The Woods in the 1970’s as another influence to her philanthropic spirit. During this time, she said women were not taught by society to be leaders.
But SMWC empowered her to be one. It nurtured her, she said.
Martin graduated magna cum laude with degrees in business administration and secondary education and a minor in accounting. She joined her family business, Tri-Industries Inc, after college and later became involved in other family-owned businesses. She currently runs the family business, Hux Oil Corp and is co-director of the Hux Family Charitable Trust. The charity has, so far, funded $5 million worth of work in the community, particularly in education and health, Martin said.
Just last month, Martin received the Hamilton Award for Outstanding Volunteer Service, presented to her by Hamilton Center, a Terre Haute-based behavioral health system.
Now, she has adopted another cause dear to her heart: mental health.
In an August event held at the College, called Be the Change, Martin shared her battle with anxiety and depression and the tools helpful to her in healing mind, body and soul. She calls for people to “be the change” in ending the stigma associated with mental illness.
In this and other causes, she encourages others to always push themselves to grow.
“Never be complacent,” she said.
“The village can do an awful lot.”