Dear Effingham Health System Team,

During this National Hospital Week, May 10–16, we pause to recognize something
extraordinary—you. This year’s theme, “Healing Happens Here,” could not be more
fitting for who we are and what we have built together.

Healing does not happen in a single moment or through a single role. It happens
because of all of you—our clinicians, nurses, technicians, environmental services teams,
dietary staff, administrative professionals, volunteers, and every individual who
contributes to the patient experience. It is the power of “we” in healthcare. And here in
Effingham, that “we” is strong, committed, and deeply rooted in purpose.

Because of you, healing truly happens here—close to home.

Every hour of every day, 365 days a year, more than 500 dedicated professionals stand
ready to serve our community with compassion, clinical excellence, and unwavering
commitment. You meet people in their most vulnerable moments and deliver not only
care, but dignity, comfort, and hope. That is not just healthcare—that is humanity at its
best.

For more than a decade, we have been on a transformational journey together. We have
expanded service lines, increased access, enhanced our facilities, and strengthened our
foundation through meaningful growth, community outreach, and philanthropy. None of
this progress happens without your expertise, your resilience, and your belief in what we
are building. Thank you for the role each of you has played—and continues to play—in
shaping Effingham Health System.

And we are not standing still.

We are actively building the future of healthcare in this community. From the
announcement of our new Effingham Health System Medical Complex on Effingham
Parkway in Goshen to the upcoming introduction of our 256-slice CT scan technology,
we are taking bold, strategic steps forward. These advancements represent more than
innovation—they reflect our promise to deliver quality care close to home, with the
highest standards of safety, precision, and patient-centered excellence.

This is just the beginning.

Our mission is clear: to ensure every patient has an experience of compassion, quality
care, and service excellence at the highest level of customer expectation. We are
committed to leading change and embracing innovation, while continuing to elevate
what healthcare looks like in Effingham County and beyond.

As we celebrate Hospital Week, I ask you to reflect on the impact you make every day.
Your work matters. Your presence matters. And together, we are creating something
truly remarkable.

Be the change. Lead the change. See the change.

Thank you for your dedication, your courage, and your heart. Thank you for making
Effingham Health System a place where healing happens—every day.

With deep appreciation,
Dr. Fran Witt, DNP, MA, LNHA, RN
President and Chief Executive Officer
Effingham Health System