CHRIS CUNNINGHAM
2022 HONORARY CAVALIER
Nominated By:
Helen Turner, Sue Fiers, and Dawn Schultz
Nomination Letters:
Helen Turner
When Chris first volunteered for the CMG in the mid to late 1990’s, at least 22 or 25 years ago, his only affiliation with the Corps was being an avid fan of the Cavaliers. Through the years, Chris has been an intricate part of the growth of the Cavalier Medical Group, as well as a positive asset to the Cavalier organization.
Chris’ professional toolbox contains all the qualities that make an exceptional Nurse: strong medical knowledge base, excellent assessment and clinical skills, good communication and interpersonal skills, organization, detail oriented, flexibility, accountability, dependability, respect, a professional demeanor, compassion, empathy, advocates for those in their care, and has a sense of humor.
When Chris arrives for pre tour or tour, he brings his professional toolbox filled with the qualities listed above, as well as his hands on Nursing experience caring for youth with mental health issues. As important as his toolbox and his experience is, Chris brings a “no drama” 100 percent commitment to care for the illness and injuries the members may encounter. His number one priority are the members, but Chris willingly cares for volunteers, staff, and management if they reach out to him. He is never to busy to assist volunteers in other departments when they need assistance.
As well as tending to the day to day medical encounters of the members and others, you might find Chris riding in the back of an ambulance with a sick or injured member, waiting long hours in a clinic or emergency room with the sick or injured, spending all night or day at a members hospital bedside or pulling one of the water carts to the practice field or to the show gate so members stay hydrated. Chris accepts wherever his responsibilities take him, with never a complaint.
Chris is a kind, gentle soul, always going the extra mile for others, always professional, always a gentleman, always respectful in his interaction with others. He is passionate about his role within the Cavalier Medical Group as It allows him to play a small part in each members journey toward one of the greatest experiences of their lifetime. Chris gives the best of himself to all those he cares for and he gives each of them a piece of his heart along the way.
Sue Fiers
Chris Cunningham has volunteered with the medical team since the 90s. His credentials as a nurse have been invaluable in ensuring our young men are kept healthy on the road. He’s consistently toured several weeks each year, giving up his vacation time to volunteer. He always acts with professionalism and decorum on tour. It’s long time past due that we honor Chris with the title of Honorary Cavalier.
Dawn Schultz
I met Nurse Chris around the 2002 Cavalier season. He was very quiet, but I could tell he was/is very compassionate with his role in the medical dept. Nurse Chris is an amazing person to me. He is very humble and professional in all he does with the Cavaliers. When I see Nurse Chris is on tour, I know we are all in great hands, Nurse Chris would do anything to help someone, however he could. I remember one time I needed some headache meds, but the Cavalier boys were requiring all the medical staffs' attention, I figured I would come back later. Not a few minutes went by and someone tapped me on the shoulder. It was Nurse Chris with different kinds of meds for my headache. He knew what I needed, and helped without me even asking! You can tell how much he loves volunteering for the Cavaliers and how much he loves the organization as a whole. Nurse Chris is definitely a Cavalier volunteer that gives so much and expects little in return. Please, consider Chris Cunningham for Honorary Cavalier.