Effingham Hospital Board of Trustees were told the “History of Medicine in Effingham County 1734-2009,” being prepared by Effingham historian Betty Ford Renfro, is scheduled for completion in August for the celebration of the establishment of Effingham Hospital’s 40th anniversary.

The trustees conducted the regular meeting April 7 and displayed the Hospital Choice Award marking Effingham Hospital’s selection as “One of America’s Most Patient Friendly Hospitals.”

A letter from state Rep. Buddy Carter congratulating the entire hospital was read. “This is a well deserved honor! I commend you, the doctors, nurses and staff of Effingham Hospital for having saved countless lives, and for the superior health care you provide our citizens,” Carter wrote.  

The trustees saluted the Emergency Department Team for putting emergency level patients first in medicine and dramatically reducing routine and usual emergency visits in the ED to half the national average.