SPRINGFIELD — The message has been heard for years. Now it can actually be seen.

During a special event June 23, Effingham Health System (EHS) unveiled a new logo that reflects an organization on the move. 

“The sight of a certain brand sparks a thought, an emotion, a difference,” EHS Chief of Staff Dr. Alexander Wynn told a crowd of invited guests situated under a tent in the hospital parking lot. “What this new brand means to me is vision, growth, technology, hard work, compassion and unyielding drive to deliver great health care to the people of Effingham County and all of our surrounding counties.”

Since assuming the helm at EHS five years ago, President and CEO Dr. Fran Witt made it her mission see that patients experience levels of compassion, care and service that greatly exceed those of other rural hospitals. The Effingham Health System Foundation has backed the effort by raising funds used to keep the hospital on the cutting edge of technology.

Pediatric care and cancer treatment at EHS has been enhanced recently and Wynn has performed hundreds of robot-assisted surgeries.

“Modern healthcare branding needs to reflect that change,” Witt said before pulling back a curtain to reveal a logo that features short, broad swirls of blue and gray positioned over “Effingham Health System” written in a thin, fresh font.

Witt noted that the swirls can appropriately be interpreted as waves, water, flames or wings.

“It’s organic shape represents life,” she said.

The new logo will be featured prominently on EHS buildings and vehicles but won’t completely replace the old one, which featured an oak and green tones.

 “Long before I joined Effingham Health System five years ago, the mighty oak tree was chosen as our symbol,” Witt said. “It has stood for strength, commitment, dedication, perseverance and long life.”

Witt offered a nod to EHS history by asking for a moment of silence before the new logo was revealed.

“We recognize all past and present leaders who have brought us to this crossroad and we remind you that your work lives on in this new symbol because the future of Effngham Health System is part of your legacy,” she said.

EHS has accumulated state and national awards in recent months. The latest recognition is the inclusion of Witt in Modern Healthcare magazine’s list of 50 most influential clinical executives in the United States. She is the only one from a rural hospital.

The lists includes Dr. Anthony Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infections Diseases.

“It’s just validation of the work that has been done over the past five years,” Witt said, “and it is truly an amazing accomplishment to be recognized as influential ...”

Witt spread credit to the EHS management team, which has guided the hospital through financial challenges that have led to the demise of more than 100 of its Georgia counterparts since 2010.