Dear Effingham Health System staff members,

This week, as we celebrate National Hospital Week 2025, we recognize and thank each of you for your vital role in our team of over 500 dedicated employees.

Each of you plays a critical role in delivering an exceptional patient experience and supporting compassionate, expert care close to home for all those in our community. Whether you serve in clinical care, facilities, administration, leadership, or support services, your contribution makes a real and lasting difference in people’s lives every single day.

Our caregivers have taken on unimaginable challenges and risen to the occasion time and again. That resilience, dedication, and heart are what define us.

I believe it’s essential that others see the profound impact we’ve made—both as individuals and as a team—on our community. We continue to transform this healthcare system, earning recognition at the regional, state, and national levels as an organization setting the bar for the future of healthcare in smaller communities.

In a fast-growing rural area like ours, it is more important than ever that families can receive the care they need close to where they live and work. Because of your dedication, our neighbors don’t have to travel far to access the high-quality healthcare they deserve. You make that possible. And in doing so, you help build the healthcare infrastructure that supports the health and future of Effingham County and the surrounding communities.

Looking Ahead: A Call to Action

As we look to the future, let’s continue building on the strong foundation we’ve created together. The needs of our community are evolving—and so is our opportunity to make a lasting impact.

As we continue to celebrate let’s keep showing up with heart, determination, and teamwork. Let’s keep finding new ways to care deeply, serve boldly, and support one another—because our mission doesn’t stop with today. It lives in every patient we serve, every family we comfort, and every step we take to strengthen healthcare close to home.

Together we are shaping the future of health in Effingham County.

Respectfully,
Dr. Fran Witt, DNP, MBA, LNHA, RN
President and CEO
Effingham Health System