A new community initiative in Phippsburg has established a fund to support its efforts and honor a generous and dedicated person who made a difference in the lives of many people.
Heidi Michelle Yeaton Budd died in March at the age of 56 after a vehicle struck her in a crosswalk in Newton, Massachusetts. She was a former critical care nurse for the U.S. Navy and LifeFlight Maine. She continued her career in health care by working for MaineHealth and Yankee Alliance, specializing in value analysis nursing and critical care-related contracting.
Ever striving to improve the lives of others, Heidi developed an innovative way to categorize and differentiate product descriptions in ways clinicians could easily understand when ordering supplies. This had benefits for clinicians, patients and supply chains. It ensured the availability of necessary supplies and decreased delays in patient care. Because clinicians didn’t have to spend as much time ordering supplies, they could spend more time with patients.
“Heidi was a dedicated and skilled health professional whose innovative thinking went above and beyond,” said Suzanne Smith, Heidi’s former supervisor at MaineHealth. “The innovation she introduced to MaineHealth was brilliant and earned Heidi a great deal of respect, which she shared at national conferences and industry events.”
A new organization called Phippsburg CARES established the Heidi’s Hope Fund to honor Heidi’s compassion, service to others and deep faith. She was the daughter of a longtime Phippsburg family, and the fund will help Phippsburg individuals and families in times of need, providing food, heat, medicine or help with unexpected expenses.
Heidi’s Hope Fund is overseen by a committee that includes Ari Keller, pastor of Small Point Baptist Church; the Rev. Holly Morrison, pastor of Phippsburg Congregational Church; Sandy Totman Hart, of Phippsburg Fire and Rescue; and Phippsburg Rescue Chief Lorana Pierce.
Phippsburg CARES is an all-volunteer, community-led effort that began in January. It is working to build a more supportive community for all ages through better communication; access to vital information, services and resources; increased volunteerism; and stronger connections through intergenerational social gatherings and events. CARES stands for community, access, resources, events, services.
“We were devastated to learn of Heidi’s untimely death and the family’s sudden loss, but feel very fortunate to be able to memorialize her with this fund as a way to continue her generous service and kindness to others,” Phippsburg CARES co-founder Susie Duncan said.
Donations may be made to Heidi’s Hope Fund, P.O. Box 165, Phippsburg, ME 04562.
