When Cynthia Bierig steps onto the campground of Enter His Gates, she is in her element. For the past few years, she has spent her summers working with youth from all walks of life and socioeconomical backgrounds, supporting them in developing traits and learning lessons they might not have the opportunity to learn elsewhere.
Enter His Gates is a summer camp for children between the ages of eight and 14. In a week-long session, they receive lessons in archery, canoeing, gun safety, horseback riding and team building. They also have an afternoon Bible study.
Bierig volunteers with the horseback riding section. Over the course of the summer, she teaches campers the importance of treating animals with respect as they to ride and care for horses.
“I love the whole aspect of being there for the kids,” said Bierig
Blending faith with elements of equine therapy, Enter His Gates is helping the children develop concentration and selflessness, which draws deeper than surface level. Simultaneously, the students are developing empathy and confidence they will be able to use in their lives.
“Caring for the horses has a way of reducing stress and boosting the children’s moods,” said Bierig
From a young age, Bierig knew her passion was to care for others.
At 11 years old, a summer visit to Oklahoma turned into a permanent residency.
“I grew up in a broken home,” said Bierig “My parents divorced when I was about five. Moving to Oklahoma was very scary and at the same time exciting as I was going to finally get to see my dad.”
Unfortunately, Bierig and her family faced adversity after relocating to Oklahoma.
“Things don’t always happen the way you envision; I went from a broken home to a blended family and yet faced a lot of challenges.”
She persevered through faith. At 18 years old, she was a single mom pursuing her GED with the goal to become a nurse. She received her associate’s degree from NOC Enid in 1988. She became a single mom of two children in 1991.
“The one thing that has remained strong since my childhood is my relationship with Lord Jesus Christ. He is my rock; through every adversity I faced I knew my faith was the one stable thing in my life. I wanted my girls to know that through adversity and challenges of life I would be there for them unconditionally.”
For ten years, Bierig served as the administrator for a home health agency. She covered several areas of Oklahoma while living in Tulsa. When visiting a practice in Alva, she met her future husband, Dr. Kirt Bierig.
NORTHWESTERN TIES
After her marriage to Dr. Kirt Berig, Bierig moving to Alva in 1997 with her two daughters. Bierig decided it was time to complete her bachelor’s degree in nursing, and Northwestern provided her with the opportunity to do so.
As a non-traditional student who had no previous ties to the Alva community, she noticed how open and supportive the community was.
“I think a lot about going to Northwestern, a smaller college, where I feel like there is family and encouragement from the community. I carry those attributes into my own community.”
After graduating with her degree in nursing from Northwestern, Bierig worked for Oklahoma’s Children First Program. Children First is a free program for first-time mothers in Oklahoma that provides personal visits with specially-trained nurses beginning early in the pregnancy and continuing through the child’s second birthday.
Bierig eventually became the office manager at her husband’s practice in Alva and continued for 14 ½ years. She handled day-to-day business and worked directly with patients. She watched children grow, including her own, grow to adulthood.
“You build these relationships easier in a small community like Alva.”
In December 2014, the Bierigs closed their practice and moved closer to Dr. Bierig’s parents in the Okeene, Okla. area. Bierig began working at the Okeene Hospital ER/inpatient/outpatient and St. Mary’s in Enid, Okla. as a case manager. She helped develop an ER case manager position at St. Mary’s Hospital. As case manager, Bierig helped patients transition from hospital to the alternative level of care, including home health, equipment needs, transition assistance and transportation.
In 2023, she began the role of school nurse at Enid High School. This year, she oversees the nurse offices for three middle schools.
“My job involves constant communication and collaboration between students, faculty and family. I see many students throughout the day, develop individual health plans for students with specific medical needs with collaboration of their specialist or primary care provider. I also educate staff and students regarding various medical responses to emergency student situations and teach CPR/first aid.”
“In one week, I had to send a student to the hospital, use a translator for a student to see a specialist, care for students with varying degrees of illness, and assist colleagues who have students needing special medical assistance.”
Caring for others continues to be a lifelong vocation for Bierig. Even now, she translates the experiences of her past into compassionate nursing practices and support for children through Enter His Gates.
“Being able to help kids, was my main goal, because of the way I grew up and how I wanted my girls to grow up,” said Bierig