Cyndi Ray

Cyndi Ray passed away on April 5, 2017. She was born on August 28, 1970 in Kansas City, Kansas to her parents, Floey (nee Collier) Ray and the late Dr. Fred Ray, M.D. She is the dearest sister to Greg (Amber) Ray; loving aunt of Ashley Ray, Aaron Ray and Aidan Ray. Cyndi will be greatly missed by the love of her life, Matt Guswiler. Cyndi also leaves her loving and devoted companion dogs, “Logan” and “Kenai-FeFe”. Dr. Ray grew up in Oklahoma, following her father into the field of medicine.

Friends may visit the Schrader-Howell Funeral Home, 280 South Main Street, Plymouth for a memorial gathering on Friday, April 7th, 2017 beginning at 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Visitation will continue on Saturday, April 8th at St. Kenneth Catholic Church, 14951 North Haggerty Road, Plymouth beginning at 10:00 a.m. until the time of the Memorial Service at 11:00 a.m.

Cyndi Ray’s family, loved ones, and colleagues have established The Dr. Cynthia D. Ray Patient Rescue Fund in her memory. It is hoped that through this fund, her caring, compassionate, humanitarian spirit will be honored and the memory of her selfless giving will continue to benefit the patients she so desperately wanted to help. Donations to The Dr. Cynthia D. Ray Patient Rescue Fund can be mailed to:

Dr. Cynthia D. Ray Patient Rescue Fund
Henry Ford Health System
Development Office
One Ford Place, Suite 5A
Detroit, MI 48202
Or on-line at: www.henryford.com/drrayfund

Donations may also be made to:

Great Lakes Weimaraner Rescue
P.O. Box 372
Grand Haven, MI 49417
Or on-line at: www.great-lakes-weimaraner-rescue.com

Cynthia Ray, M.D., a Henry Ford Medical Group interventional pulmonologist who was hit by a car on Sunday when she stopped to help passengers in an overturned car on the freeway, passed away this evening with her family by her side.

Dr. Ray was a beloved physician, colleague, daughter, sister and friend. Described by Dr. Mike Eichenhorn, a mentor and close friend, as a “giving, generous spirit,” Dr. Ray was considered a consummate caregiver—capable, caring and committed.
Dr. Eichenhorn elaborated: “It would have been impossible for Cyndi to pass by the car that overturned because that’s the kind of person she was. She was always there to help others. At her bedside, she had visitors from all walks of life who she had helped through difficult situations. She embodied selflessness.”

On staff at Henry Ford Hospital since she was a Fellow in 2005, Dr. Ray quickly gained the respect of all who knew her. Dr. Bruno DiGiovine, Division Head for Pulmonary and Critical Care, noted that “Cyndi cared deeply about her pulmonary and critical care family and was highly regarded as an educator and mentor.” In fact, she had mentored many female pulmonologists and was influential in their career and development.
Dr. Mike Simoff, a mentor and friend of Dr. Ray’s in the Pulmonary and Critical Care Division, remembers her as one of those rare, really good people. “She found the best in all situations and that was reflected in her care of her patients. They knew that with her, they would be well taken care of. The single most important thing to her was taking care of each person who entered the door as an individual. Accolades didn’t mean anything. She just wanted to be a really good doctor.”

Dr. Ray was a respected researcher and presenter, and a well-published author of multiple articles on pulmonary medicine. She was on the Board of Directors of the American Association for Bronchology and Interventional Pulmonology, and was the secretary and treasurer of the Michigan Thoracic Society as well as the chairperson of the Tri-State Thoracic Society.

Dr. Eichenhorn was quick to talk about Dr. Ray’s talents beyond medicine. Cyndi was a gifted singer (and Henry Ford Hospital Campus Idol contestant), former ballerina, great cook and accomplished dogsledder. She cared deeply about rescuing weimaraners and once had three in her home at one time.

Dr. Ray grew up in Oklahoma, following her father into the field of medicine. She is survived by her mother, Donations in Dr. Ray’s memory may be made to the Dr. Cynthia Ray Patient Rescue Fund at Henry Ford Hospital providing financial and other assistance to patients with pulmonary diseases or to the Great Lakes Weimaraner Rescue.