Expansion means more care for kids in ‘their own space’ as county expects growth.

‘This is going to pay dividends. We are proud of the hospital and the health care that is provided not only for Effingham, but Southeast Georgia.’ Jon Burns, Georgia House Speaker, Effingham native

r. Fran Witt, president of Effingham Health System, came to the health care facility with a vision to “transform health care in Effingham County.”

Recently, she achieved one of the goals on her wish list.

Witt, along with staff members and Georgia House Speaker Jon Burns, celebrated the opening of Effingham Pediatrics on Ga. 21 in Springfield during a groundbreaking ceremony. The 5,100-square-foot facility will specialize in primary care for children.

“This is going to pay dividends,” said Burns, an Effingham native. “We are proud of the hospital and the health care that is provided not only for Effingham, but Southeast Georgia.”

The unit features seven rooms, which allows the staff to see 56 patients per day.

“Our pediatrics has been an important part of the hospital’s mission but this is especially important,” said Burns. “They have their own space now. We are excited to expand this outreach to young people in the county.”

Witt said statistics showed a significant uptick in patients over the last five years, prompting the expansion. The hospital has seen a 425% increase in volume since 2018.

“We reached capacity in the practice that we were currently in,” Witt said. “We started with maybe two to three exam rooms. It was a startup initiative. I think the excitement around all of this is the fact that we decided to do something in the community that was truly needed. We have gone from an annual of 8,082 vis itstonow14,11 4.”

Witt said the timing could not be more perfect, as they prepare for the influx of newcomers moving to the county.

“When we decided to do this, we were responding to the current growth,” Witt said. “Now that we have discovered that Hyundai is in our backyard and people are starting to migrate to this area, it makes it even more meaningful for us to be able to provide access.”

Looking ahead, Witt hopes to expand hospital services that were dormant during the COVID-19 pandemic.

recent study revealed residents want greater access to care for conditions such as heart disease.

“We’re looking at services that support wellness and prevention,” Witt said.

The pediatric center was funded solely by Effingham Hospital. The Effingham Foundation System has committed to a three-year campaign to facilitate growth of the unit. Witt declined to share how much the hospital invested in the venture.

“This pediatric center is evidence of transformation,” Witt said.

COURTESY The new Effingham Pediatrics, in the former location of the Effingham Chamber of Commerce Welcome Center in Springfield, has seven rooms, which will accommodate seeing about 56 patients per day.

COURTESY Dr. Fran Witt speaks at the grand opening for Effingham Pediatrics. The doctor said the center’s development addressed current growth, but its opening has proved more beneficial as the county expects an influx of new residents.