Cindy Dorfner

headshot of Cindy Dorfner
Cindy Dorfner is the director of public affairs and congressional communications at the Phoenix VA Health Care System. In this role, she’s responsible for media relations as well as communicating with the system’s 3,500 employees, more than 99,000 enrolled veterans and their families, and maintaining a working dialogue with congressional and community leaders. 
 
Dorfner spent 21 years in the United States Air Force, 17 of which were spent in various public affairs leadership roles. She deployed six times to locations around the world, managing everything from presidential visits to plane crashes, from humanitarian aid to promoting U.S. military band performances. 
 
After she retired as a master sergeant from Luke Air Force Base in Arizona, Dorfner joined the corporate team at Massage Envy as its director of public relations in Scottsdale, Arizona. 
 
Broadening her knowledge and experience in public relations, she joined the communications team for the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development as public information officer for 29 parishes in northern and central Louisiana. 
 
In 2016, Dorfner left her position in Louisiana to join the Phoenix VA Health Care System as the chief of medical media and deputy public affairs officer. Her department’s responsibilities included creating patient and staff education materials through photo, video and graphic design. In December 2017, she stepped into a temporary role as the public affairs officer, and in May 2018, she was promoted to her current role. 
 
Dorfner earned a Bachelor of General Studies with a concentration in psychology from Louisiana Tech University and a Master of Science in Communication from Purdue University. She resides in Phoenix with her husband, two children and two dogs. 
 

Organization

Director of Public Affairs and Congressional Communications Phoenix VA Health Care System