Cynthia Sikina, who served as the University Physician Group chief operating officer and chief financial officer through May 2007, has been named by Crain's Detroit Business as the finalist for its first-ever CFO awards in the organizational category of insurers, nonprofit hospitals and universities. Sikina was selected by a panel of five judges for her role in the integration of 14 specialty medical groups into a single organization, including development of employee benefits, salaries and retirement programs, financial reporting procedures, and all physician contracts.

Ms. Sikina also served as the chief financial officer for The Fund for Medical Research & Education since her appointment in June 2001. Prior to that, she was the director of financial services for the University of Michigan Medical School. Both her undergraduate (BBA) and graduate (MBA) degrees were earned at the University of Michigan and she received her CPA Certificate of Examination in 1981.

She will assume the position of chief financial officer for the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute in July.