James Edwards was honored as this year's recipient of the C. Edward Helmey Humanitarian Award in a ceremony Saturday at the Effingham Hospital.

Edwards was the first male registered nurse at Effingham Hospital and also served for a short time as the county coroner. He also has been “Elvis” and was “Sonny” in a “Sonny and Cher” skit at the hospital’s talent show.

Jean Blackburn and Sharon Elizabeth Morgan were the other finalists for this year’s honor.