Future-Proofing Effingham’s Healthcare

from Best of Effingham - October/November 2022

Riley Brown

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Story by Jenny Lynn Anderson

While Effingham Health System has seen tremendous growth since President and CEO Dr. Fran Witt joined the organization in 2016, listening to her speak makes it evident that her focus is on the future of this community and the healthcare system.

In 2021 Witt was named one of the 50 Most Influential Clinical Executives in the country by Modern Healthcare magazine, for her leadership in embracing the future of healthcare for rural communities. With the announcement of the new Hyundai automobile plant being built just a few miles beyond the county line, Effingham Health System is already planning expansion to handle the influx of new residents and support businesses.

“Healthcare is not just a service to a community; it is a critical part of the infrastructure,” she explains.

To illustrate the exponential growth Effingham Health System has already achieved, she shares a few facts. • Patients treated in the ER grew from 11,000 in 2011 to over 19,000 in 2021. • The surgery center performs 2,000 surgeries annually and the da Vinci robotic surgery technology, introduced in 2018, has already been used for more than 1,000 surgeries. • The Effingham Family Medicine team cares for 22,000 patients and maintains a 97% patient satisfaction rate. • Effingham Health System has also established locally based partnerships with respected specialists in cancer care, orthopaedics, and cardiology.

FUTURE-PROOFING EFFINGHAM’S HEALTHCARE

Witt, whose credentials include a DNP (Doctor of Nursing Practice), MBA, RN, and LNHA (Licensed Nursing Home Administrator), explains the secret to their success: “Today our health system is steeped in evidence-based medicine. It’s our culture, our philosophy, and what we strive for every day. We no longer benchmark ourselves against other smaller hospitals. We benchmark ourselves against larger hospitals, and that’s why we will continue to be recognized nationally for patient care and innovation.”

A Critical Resource During the Pandemic

As the country emerges from the COVID-19 Pandemic, Dr. Witt says she is confident of how critical Effingham Health System was to this community during the COVID-19 outbreak.

Effingham Health System’s Emergency Room treated 1,600 diagnosed COVID patients. More than 375 were hospitalized locally, 65 were transferred to other facilities, and more than 30,000 COVID-19 tests were administered, most of them not reimbursed.

Responding to the pandemic cost Effingham Health System $780,000 a month for two years.

Witt shares her most significant insight from the pandemic response, saying, “Going forward, it is crystal clear that we are an essential provider for this community.”

Witt says one positive that comes from the pandemic response is that, like other hospitals across the country, it led them to reengineer the systems, technology, and protocols on which they

Dr. Wynn performing surgery with the da Vinci Robotic Surgery Technology

rely. “We’re emerging a much stronger healthcare system,” she says as she turns the conversation to the future.

Looking to the Future

Today, Witt and her team are focusing on strategically aligning Effingham Health System’s growth with the needs of this community. She explains that when Effingham Health System adds or grows a service, it is because they have identified a real need. They rely heavily on the Community Needs Assessment Survey conducted with Georgia Southern University.

A Focus on Pediatrics

Effingham Health System is making pediatrics a significant priority to better serve the growing population of young families in the area. Witt anticipates the need for these services in Effingham will continue to outpace other local regions, given that Effingham County’s public school system is one of the best in the area and will continue to attract families.

Effingham Pediatrics, led by Dr. Bailey Alford, a board-certified pediatrician and Effingham native, has grown to three providers since opening in 2017. The pediatrics providers also staff the TELEMED program, launched in 2017, that currently offers telemedicine onsite, through the school nurse’s office, for all local public elementary and middle school students.

Preparations are underway to move the pediatrics practice into the former Effingham County Chamber building, where there will be room for further growth. Realizing that many local children require specialty care, Witt says the new facility will also help attract visiting pediatric specialists. A dedicated environment for children will improve the experience for young patients and their families.

Partnerships for Growth

One of the successful models Witt has developed for growing healthcare services in rural areas is partnering with thriving practices in larger communities. Effingham Health System has used this model to establish partnerships with Summit Cancer Care, Chatham Orthopaedics, and My Heart Doctor.

“With the support of our County Commissioners, we are focusing on strengthening these community provider relationships over the next two to three years. This will address current needs for specialty care but will also prepare Effingham Health System to handle the growth anticipated as the Hyundai plant goes online.”

At the same time, Witt focuses on the “front door”— the Emergency Room. The ER, staffed by boardcertified emergency medicine specialists, is solid, having earned new levels of recognition and patient safety awards from the state of Georgia and the American Heart Association this past year.

Now, leadership is focused on being recognized as the best Level IV Trauma Center in the region. To accommodate growth in the ER and county-wide needs, the hospital has implemented a new hospitalist program, ensuring round-the-clock hospitalist care for all inpatients.

The growth of industry also impacts another area of the health system. Effingham Occupational Medicine provides workforce healthcare and specific industry testing that will grow along with that workforce. Effingham Health System works with local industries, including Mitsubishi Hitachi Power Systems America, and will look to expand that specialty practice over the next few years.

The Future of Communication

As Effingham Health System grows, so does the need for communications. A three-year digital transformation will bring the entire healthcare system under a single digital communication and “ electronic medical record program called Cerner. This Today our health system is steeped in evidence- state-of-the-art platform based medicine. It’s our culture, our philosophy, will not only allow providers within their system to and what we strive for every day....We benchmark communicate. It will also ourselves against larger hospitals, and that’s why facilitate communications we will continue to be recognized nationally for between Effingham Health System providers and a patient care and innovation. “ patient’s outside specialists or general practitioner. So, how does a rural healthcare system achieve so much so quickly? Witt says it takes a lot of hard work by the entire staff, staying on top of industry best practices and finding (and keeping) skilled people who are open to change. Witt’s motto internally is "Be the change. Lead the change. See the change." Dr. Fran Witt has the skill set to translate her vision to a level of understanding among her staff, inspiring them to embrace excellence across the board. ◆

BRAD I. CHERNEY STATE FARM TEAM: SETTING THE STANDARD IN INSURANCE

Brad Cherney has been leading his State Farm team for over a year now after relocating from Illinois. The apple does not fall far from the tree when it comes to this industry professional, as he is a thirdgeneration insurance agent.

“My family has owned and operated insurance agencies in Illinois since 1960. My grandfather was an agent. My father was an agent, and I am an agent. It just runs in my blood. I love the business. I love dealing with people and being able to help with their needs—getting them the best policies available,” he says.

EFFINGHAM MAGAZINE BEST

INSURANCE AGENCY in Effingham —2022—

Customers Count

With 25 years of industry experience under his belt, Brad has become well acquainted with what it takes to maintain a successful agency—one that wholeheartedly cares about its customers and offers them the services that best meet their needs. Brad is confident that his State Farm team sets the standard in optimal customer service and quality care. Customers are more than just a number; they are like family. And that is the Brad I. Cherney State Farm difference.

“We really care about our customers. When you walk into our office, you’re part of our family. Caring is important; when you care, it shows. With some, people are just numbers, but not with us,” he says.

An array of insurance policy options are available for customers, including: automobile, home, commercial, life, health and more. Whether helping with claim issues, finding the best way to use a customer’s policy to meet their needs or helping to protect customers with various liability concerns, the team strives to keep their customers’ best interests at heart.

A Different Caliber of Agents

Brad knows that the majority of the company’s success is a direct result of his team of caring, knowledgeable professionals—his office family.

“My team is amazing. My success and achievement over this last year are due to the team,” he says.

Brad is grateful that his staff possesses a phenomenal amount of “collective insurance knowledge”—true industry aficionados. The team persists to show their customers the State Farm difference.

“State Farm agents are a different caliber of agents. We have to be good neighbors in our community. We deal in honesty and integrity—doing the right thing. We may not be the lowest in price all the time, but we can show you how we’re the best value; our policies have value,” he says.

This reveals why the State Farm organization is a Fortune 100 company, while maintaining an overall A rating. Even more, State Farm customers benefit from having an agent available to them right in their own community—right in their own neighborhood.

“Customers have full access to everything that we offer. I’m available to customers because I’m in the office almost everyday,” Brad adds.

The team of experts recognizes the value in educating each of their customers about plans and services, so they may know exactly how they are being protected with their policies.

“I think part of getting insurance is an

education. You should know what kind of policies you’re getting and what the benefits and detriments are. By understanding this, you’re able to really grasp how you’re protected,” Brad points out. He welcomes doing policy lookovers to help individuals learn more about their policy and maximize their policy benefits.

Beyond Insurance

Brad I. Cherney State Farm is much more than just insurance. The team believes in giving back in the best ways possible. In I love the business. I love dealing with people “ fact, alongside the Downtown Development Authority, Brad I. Cherney State Farm is the title and being able to help with their needs... “ sponsor of the Miss Springfield Pageant in October, while also sponsoring the Red Shirt and Khakis 5K Marathon in November. Further, the agency enjoys partnering with the Booster organizations for both Effingham High School and South Effingham High School. Brad is also on the Effingham Board of Habitat for Humanity. “We’re not just about being a business. We’re about giving back to the community that supports [us]. It is very important, and I’m a big believer in that,” he says. Brad feels incredibly blessed. He is grateful for his wife Janie and their five children; Janie has been a continuous source of love and support throughout the years. He, too, appreciates all the kindness that the Effingham community has shown him—a community he feels privileged to call home. “I’m very fortunate. I’m very blessed, and I don’t take it lightly.” Brad I. Cherney State Farm (912) 754-6051 1451 Highway 21 N, Unit L Springfield, GA 31329 www.EFFINGHAMMAGAZINE.com | October/November 2022 17

Jamie and Mary Cain, owners of Empire Gym, are excited to share an update on the gym opening with the Effingham community. Empire Gym is set to open in November 2022 with presale memberships starting in October.

Jamie and Mary moved back to the area last year to be closer to family and allow their nine-year-old son more time with his grandmother.

“We’re building a home in Guyton and we found another home in my mother-in-law’s church,” Mary says. “We are leaning on our spirituality as newly baptized Christians. We felt God had brought us here to open this gym so we found it fitting to name it Empire Gym. His Kingdom. Your Empire.”

The champion name is not the only thing that makes it unique. Empire Gym is the only gym of its size and caliber in Rincon and it is comparable to those found in Savannah.

Prior to moving to Effingham County, the couple owned a gym in Columbus, Ga., and Mary was a sole proprietor of a gym in Macon before the couple met. Combined they have more than 25 years training experience and practical application along with multiple certifications.

The gold standard for an optimized body is increased lean muscle mass, decreased body fat and increased bone density, so Empire Gym will serve up exercise options to help you succeed in these areas including:

• Customized, personal training unique to the client’s specific needs—1:1, 2:1 or small group (3 to 4) • Group fitness classes in The ARMORY - a 1,500 sq. ft. functional fitness room, including the following classes: booty, lengthen and strengthen, bootcamp HIIT style, strongman, and transformation challenges • Monthly challenges and community programs to keep clients motivated • In-Body Analysis scan, which provides a complete picture of your body composition including bone density, lean muscle mass, fat mass and body symmetry. • Project Lean Nation—Healthy prepared meals to go that fit your macros and set you up for goal achievement success • Renew and Rejuvenate MedSpa—IV hydration, hormone therapy, botox and fillers.

The Empire Gym will be open 24/7 and located at 614 Towne Park Loop in Rincon. Membership discounts are available to military, selfless service providers and educators.

Learn more about how you can become more healthy and fit at empiregymsavannah.com.