Effingham Hospital received overall praise for its progress in 2008 and praise for the additional services it has brought to the community during an annual audit presentation from Jim Creamer on Tuesday evening.

Creamer, a certified public accountant with the firm of Draffin and Tucker, LLP, explained to the hospital’s board of trustees that as of late the requirement of community benefit has been reported as an ongoing benefit responsibility that all non-profit organizations must demonstrate. Creamer said Effingham Hospital has been fulfilling this requirement with a high level of community mindedness, skill and proficiency.  

Creamer said the recent donation of two John Deere Gators to two of Effingham County’s high schools best exemplified this type of requirement of community benefit as a part of its tax exemption. Creamer offered a few other examples of the hospital’s fulfillment of this requirement in the recent prostate screenings offered to the community, the annual free sports physicals with volunteer physicians, and overall health education.  

Creamer also praised the various community oriented programs that are being offered at the hospital such as Parkinson’s support, cancer support, suicide support, the Better Breathers’ Club for pulmonary patients, and smoking cessation classes. The hospital’s community involvement in the Effingham fair and parade was also saluted.