Local Foundation Leadership

EFFINGHAM HEALTH SYSTEM FOUNDATION

Staff

Dr. Fran Witt, President and CEO, Effingham Health System

Fran Witt, DNP, MBA, LNHA, RN, has been recognized recently as one of the Top 50 Most Influential Clinicians in the U.S. by Modern Healthcare magazine and as one of the Top 75 Black leaders in healthcare to know by Becker’s Hospital Review. Following a career in nursing at various major health systems, then over 17 years in management and executive positions, including at Grady Health System in Atlanta, Dr. Witt joined EHS to transform the healthcare system. Her vision and leadership have led to the opening of Effingham Pediatrics, Effingham Cancer Care Center, Effingham Cardiology, and Effingham Orthopaedics. She also introduced the da Vinci Robotic Surgery technology and the area’s first school-based telemedicine program.  Her focus is on providing quality healthcare closer to home. The launch of EHS’ new state-of-the-art Electronic Health Record platform is one more example of how Effingham Health System is setting the standard for the future of rural healthcare under her leadership.

Scott Russell, EHS Foundation Director

A Welcome Message from Our Director

Welcome to the Effingham Health System Foundation!

I’m honored to serve as the executive director of the Effingham Health System Foundation. With over two decades of experience in engagement and community relations, I am wholly dedicated to building partnerships that bring about positive change.

Established in 2018, Effingham Health System Foundation is the philanthropic arm of Effingham Health System, a not-for-profit critical access hospital. Our mission is to support the continued growth of the Effingham Health System by increasing awareness through philanthropy and providing financial resources that support delivery of quality healthcare in our community.

Our mission is to broaden the range of health care services within Effingham and the surrounding communities to meet the overall needs of the population, while guaranteeing access to appropriate and timely high-quality health care with optimal health outcomes. Our commitment is underlined by the tenet that the best-possible healthcare should be available close to home for our community to thrive.

This mission is realized by our many activities and events, including, but not limited to, the Soul to Sole 5K Run/Walk, Gears and Grub Car Show, and our annual gala. Such events assist our community in raising much-needed funds while giving the community pride in supporting the work of healthcare advancement. The funds raised continue to support our critical access hospital and help further expand services into new fields, such as the Pediatric Center, Continuing Care Retirement Community, and Cancer Care Center.

So come join us. With your help, we make the greatest difference in our community—by volunteering, attending our events, or donating. In partnership, let’s work collectively to bring better health and welfare to our community.

Many thanks for your continuing support.

Warmly,

Scott Russell, CRP, CEP Director, Effingham Health System Foundation

EHS Foundation Board of Directors (2022-2023)

Development Council Community Volunteer Teams

The Effingham Health System Foundation Development Council is made up of community volunteers dedicated specifically to generating charitable support for Effingham Health System. These committed volunteer leaders enable the Foundation to generate meaningful philanthropy support to help ensure the very best healthcare possible for the community.

• Annual Gifts Team

  Julie Hales, Chair

  Lindsay Barnard

  Destiny Bradshaw

  Jason Bragg

  Brooke Graham

  Lisa Ortiz

  Lucy Powell

  Tara Robinson

  Cindy Shuman

  Joy Woods

• Business Gifts Team

  Glen Montgomery, Chair

  Ashley Boyett

  Donna Hellmann

  Ellen Gehrke

  Henry Walker

  Jan Southern

  Keith Hellmann

  Lon Harden

  Mia Thompson

  Monica Hester

  Shondtel Walker

  Tamela Mydell

  Tori Johnson

  Travis Stephens

  Trisha Boyett

• Planned Gifts Team

  Jame DeLoach, Co-Chair

  Jeremy Herrin, Co-Chair

  Chris Murphy

  Ben Williams

• Special Gifts Team

  Troy Allen, Chair

  James Carlson

  Tara Hart

  Sonja Scott

• Signature Gifts Team

  Nicole Rahn, Chair