The Effingham Hospital Authority contract manager selection committee awarded the construction management contract for its modernization project to R.J. Griffin and Company and Rives E. Worrell Company, based in Savannah.

“R.J. Griffin and Rives E. Worrell partnered to provide a joint application, and the committee was impressed with their extensive health care construction expertise,” said Effingham Hospital CEO Norma Jean Morgan. “Walter Murphy of Rives E. Worrell is a longtime local contractor, and it was his company that constructed the original Effingham Hospital and Care Center in 1968.

“Murphy made assurances to the committee that his team would encourage local subcontractors to participate in the construction project and that he was making a personal commitment to oversee the project himself, above and beyond what is customary,” Morgan added.

The selection committee chose three potential experienced contractors from submitted applications based on the quality of their past work, their cost projections and their merit in health care building performance. The committee interviewed representatives from these three contractors at its Jan. 25 meeting and as a result of those interviews awarded the contract to R.J. Griffin and Rives E. Worrell on Tuesday.

The Effingham County Hospital Authority decided to undertake a modernization project in order ensure the community continues to have access to high-quality healthcare and meet today’s rigorous standards for patient privacy and safety. The new facility, which will have 50,000 square feet of additional space, will be built on the Springfield campus. The modernization project’s estimated budget is $30 million and the target completion is 2012.

The Effingham Hospital modernization project updates appear on the new hospital Web site, EffinghamHealth.org.

The hospital authority also chose Rick Rafter as its chairman, replacing Stephen Mobley. Tommy Exley was chosen as vice chairman, and Patricia Ann Yarbrough was selected as secretary.