After she returned to Effingham Hospital to run its cardiopulmonary rehabilitation unit, Ginger Kieffer was given a name and number of a patient to call, to tell them about the services of the rehab unit.

So she called and asked to speak to Clifford Helmey and gave her standard speech on what the cardiopulmonary rehab unit could do.

“I said, ‘Do you know where the hospital is?’” she recalled. “Ginger,” the voice on the other end said, “this is Ed Helmey.”

“So he got the best of me that day,” Kieffer said.

Kieffer was given the C. Edward Helmey Award for humanitarian service at Effingham Hospital on Saturday. The award was named for the late hospital authority member who was instrumental in the creation of the Effingham Hospital.

So C. Edward Helmey became one of Kieffer’s patients. On Saturday, Kieffer was given the award named in his honor as the Effingham Hospital’s humanitarian of the year.

“I’m really proud to receive this,” Kieffer said. “I’m so proud because it was named after  Edward Helmey.”

Kieffer became the third recipient of the Helmey Award as Effingham Hospital marked its 38th anniversary with a reception in the community room.

“This hospital has changed drastically,” hospital authority Chairman Stephen Mobley said. “Some things have not changed, and that is the compassion and community spirit we run this hospital by. You are going to see very dramatic changes in the upcoming months and years, all to meet your needs and the needs of the community.

“It’s also a testament that we need a new community room.”

Hospital Administrator Norma Jean Morgan said she felt as if she were one of Helmey’s children. His family was on hand for the presentation of the award in his name.

“There’s no way we could explain what he meant to us,” Morgan said. “Mr. Ed was the man who had a gift of discernment. He could decipher good from evil. He would not participate in negative conversations. He had an internal compass and consequently, we got good leadership. He always wanted to be fair and just. He was always looking to be good for Effingham Hospital.”

Helmey served on the hospital authority from 1968-1995, and Morgan said he never demeaned an employee but rather found a way to pick up their spirits.

“He believed in us,” she said. “He believed we should be treated fairly.”

When the Helmey Award was first given out, hospital employees decided that at each anniversary, they would nominate one of their own who exemplified service to others.

State Rep. Jon Burns said Helmey not only put the health care of the county’s citizens at the forefront but also saw the change that continues to sweep through Effingham.

“He saw that change coming and he embraced that change,” Burns said. “He knew this hospital would be a powerful resource for this county. He was supportive of all the healthcare needs of this county. He was proud of this hospital and staff.”

Effingham’s hospital has now become a hub of service for people from other counties and as a regional employer, according to Burns.

“He would tell us that’s not vision, that’s just common sense,” Burns said.

Helmey died on June 8 and his passing was followed six weeks later by the death of his wife Lola Nease Helmey.

“He left some large shoes to be filled,” son Eddie Helmey said. “He left a great legacy.”

The Helmey Award honor was restarted this year, and Kieffer follows Virginia Scott and Jane Miller as recipients. Kieffer was one of three finalists this year, along with Joyce Thomas Walker and Bertha Scott.

Kieffer started as a certified nursing assistant in 1980 and then went to Candler Hospital, serving in intensive care and coronary care units, for nearly a dozen years.

“Her whole career has been in critical care,” Morgan said. “She has stayed true to the mission, values and principles of Effingham Hospital.”

Candler/St. Joseph’s Chief Executive Officer Paul Hinchey pointed to ensuring the well-being of the patients as the chief concern and not just adding new technology.

“At the end of the day, it’s the patient care and not the bells and whistles,” he said.

Morgan was able to lure Kieffer back to Effingham Hospital in 19995 with the sales pitch of not having to drive so far every day.

“This is a great place to work,” Kieffer said. “I loved my days at Candler, but I have enjoyed my days at Effingham Hospital.”