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>>SOUTHERN INDIANA —
The Floyd Memorial Foundation, which is the nonprofit fundraising arm of Floyd Memorial Hospital and Health Services, is now under the leadership of a new Executive Director. Ruth Heideman, RN, BSN assumed the role on January 25, 2010.
Although new to the position, Heideman is certainly not new to a leadership role with the Foundation — or with the hospital. Heideman began her career at Floyd Memorial as a staff nurse in 1968. During her tenure, she has served in several clinical and managerial positions, including Nurse Manager for both the Emergency Department and Urgent Care Center. Prior to accepting the Foundation’s Executive Director role, Heideman served as the hospital’s Director of Surgical Services and Emergency Services until 2006 and then remained the Director of Surgical Services until 2010. In addition, she had been a member of the Foundation’s Board of Directors since 1994, serving on the Golf and Auction, Advancement, and Scholarship Committees.
“Ruth’s longstanding history of leadership with the hospital makes her a natural choice to direct the Foundation,” said Mark Shugarman, President and CEO of Floyd Memorial. “Her tenure with us — both with the hospital and with the Foundation — provides her with a keen sense of how to most effectively and efficiently move the Foundation forward to meet its goals. She is, in essence, a perfect fit.”
Frank Heinz, Chairman of the Foundation’s Board of Directors, agrees. “I believe that the Board is extremely excited to have Ruth in this position,” he said. “Her longevity with Floyd Memorial and her breadth and depth of experience in working with the associates and medical staff is an asset that is not easily duplicated.”
With the primary focus of the Floyd Memorial Foundation being to help fund important programs, services and health screenings for the community, as well as scholarships for future medical professionals, Heideman believes that creating an environment of giving is paramount.
“This position has been a dream come true,” she said. “My experience has always been in the clinical arena. This position gives me the opportunity to develop strong professional and personal networking relationships in the business community to create a culture of philanthropy.”
According to Heinz, Heideman is assuming the role at an ideal time in the Foundation’s history. Under the leadership of former Executive Director Linda Hendrich, who retired in December 2009, along with guidance of the Board of Directors, the Foundation has had a successful track record in recent years.
“Linda did an outstanding job of laying the framework for success, and Ruth was a part of that in her service as a Foundation Board member for 16 years,” Heinz said. “Because of Ruth’s first-hand knowledge acquired by being a Board member, she can carry on the momentum while adding a freshness to the role that will certainly move the organization forward.”
For Heideman, embracing the Foundation’s past accomplishments to continue its tradition of success is an aspect of her new role to which she looks forward.
“Our Foundation’s mission is to support our hospital to enhance the quality of healthcare in our community. Our Board is dedicated to our initiatives and engaged in its desire to fulfill that mission,” Heideman said. “I am so proud of Floyd Memorial Hospital and the Foundation. The positive impact we have had has touched many lives in our community, and I am so excited to continue to be a part of that vision.”
