How a family’s immigration journey shaped a Las Vegas healthcare leader

Andre Cisne relocated from Texas to Las Vegas with his wife back in 2020, but his family’s history showcases a much grander move, fleeing in pursuit of political amnesty to the United States and a new way of life.

Cisne — the interim CEO of SilverSummit Healthplan, which provides government-sponsored health insurance coverage — has more than 20 years experience working in the industry and is also now the board secretary for Hope Means Nevada, a local nonprofit that works to combat teen suicide.

Cisne took some time to speak to the Las Vegas Review-Journal about his family’s incredible journey, his thoughts on America’s current healthcare system, and how he thinks the overall industry could improve upon itself.

Q You and your family immigrated to the United States from Nicaragua in the 1970s through political amnesty. Can you walk me through that journey?

A The opportunities my family enjoys today are rooted in the courage and sacrifices my parents and grandparents made when they left Nicaragua to build a new life in the United States. While we had longstanding ties to the U.S., leaving Nicaragua was never part of the plan. My father attended school in the United States, and my maternal grandfather was a U.S. citizen and decorated military veteran.

When political conditions in Nicaragua changed, my parents were forced to leave quickly with very little. Although my father’s family received asylum in the United States, starting over came with its own challenges. For a time, three generations lived in a small apartment, working hard to establish themselves and create a better future.

Watching my family rebuild their lives taught me that adversity can be a powerful source of strength. Their resilience, work ethic and optimism continue to influence how I lead, serve others and approach challenges today.

Why did you originally get into the healthcare profession, what drew you to it?

Originally, I was a software engineer but didn’t feel the connection back to helping people. In my family’s journey in moving to the U.S., there was always the kindness of our community that helped us throughout the journey. I felt and feel a responsibility to give that back and help others. I found that in healthcare and can give back every day.

Can you walk us through some of the new Medicaid work requirements that come into effect at the end of this year?

Beginning Jan. 1, some Nevada Medicaid members may see two important changes that could affect their coverage: new work requirements for certain adults and twice-yearly eligibility renewals for members ages 19 to 64.

While these changes are being implemented by federal and state policy, SilverSummit’s focus is on helping our members understand what these changes mean and what steps, if any, they may need to take to maintain their coverage. Whether it’s navigating eligibility renewals, understanding work requirement exemptions, exploring volunteer opportunities or making sure contact information is current, we want to make the process as simple as possible. Our goal is to help members maintain their coverage and avoid unnecessary disruptions in care.

Most importantly, we want our members to know they are not alone. SilverSummit is committed to being a trusted resource and helping people stay connected to the health care services they need.

If you had a magic wand and could use it, what would you change in America to make healthcare more affordable and accessible for regular people?

If I had a magic wand, I would simplify the healthcare system so that every eligible person can easily access and keep the coverage they need. Healthcare should be easier to navigate, with fewer administrative barriers and more focus on connecting people to care. When coverage is stable and people receive preventive care early, we improve health outcomes while reducing costs across the healthcare system.

What is the biggest challenge healthcare in America faces down the road, and what should we be preparing for now?

One of the biggest challenges facing healthcare in the years ahead is balancing rising healthcare costs with the growing demand for care. We’re seeing an increase in care needs while many communities continue to face provider shortages.

To prepare, we need to invest more in prevention, early intervention, and whole-person care, like housing and food insecurity. The more we can help people stay healthy, manage chronic conditions and access behavioral and social support before a crisis occurs, the better outcomes we’ll achieve and the more sustainable our healthcare system will be.

Contact Patrick Blennerhassett at [email protected].

Andre Cisne

Title: Interim CEO

Company: SilverSummit Healthplan

Favorite thing to do on a day off? Hiking at Red Rock Canyon or anything at Mt. Charleston and Lee Canyon.

Favorite restaurant to eat in Las Vegas? We love to eat. Food is a celebration of culture. Esther's Kitchen, Lotus of Siam, Shangs Artisan Noodle are some of our favorites. For something sweet, Sul and Beans.

What's the first thing you do in the morning? Make coffee, then some exercise. I am a bit of a coffee nut, and it was one of the family crops. Every coffee tells a story.

What's the last thing you do before bed? Prepare coffee for the morning and organize for the next day.