40th Anniversary Reception

In honor of its 40th Anniversary, Lexington Medical Center held a 40th anniversary reception on January 20th. Community leaders leaders and people who have played important roles in the hospital’s history attended. Here are some photos.

RUN FASTER! LMC Employees train for Govenor’s Cup

Lexington Medical Center is pleased to be the title sponsor of the 2010 Governor’s Cup Road Race, featuring half marathon and 8K races in Columbia on November 13th.  Our hospital enjoys events that encourage healthy lifestyles.  Several Lexington Medical Center employees are training for the half marathon.  We’re following two along the way.  Between now and race day, our blog will bring you the stories of their training.

First up:  Meet Kathy Howell, Vice President of Human Resources at Lexington Medical Center.  She’s also a married mother of 3, with a grandbaby on the way.  This race will be her first half marathon.

Here’s what she tells us about her running background:

• I blame my daughter Melissa and my friend Ellen for planting the idea that I could, maybe, run.  You see, I’ve never been athletic.  I never ran further than the mailbox to get the mail in the rain.  But one July day in 2008, my daughter mentioned that she was starting the “Couch to 5K” program and that she thought I might like it too.  Me? Run?  I’m gettin’ kinda old to start that. I jokingly mentioned it to my much younger neighbor, Ellen.  She jumped all over it.  Told me she loved to run and that this would be a great way to start and she’d help me.  In fact, we could run a 5K together.  Well, I got caught up in their enthusiasm and was flattered that these young women thought I could even attempt something like this, so thought I’d give it a try.  I could always quit, right?
• I couldn’t even run 1 minute steady on the treadmill.  But that’s the beauty of “Couch to 5K”.  You walk more than you “run” until you build up your ability to run more than you walk.  And in a matter of 10 weeks, I could plod 3 miles.  Enough for a 5K.
• True to her word, Ellen took me out for my first 5K in November of 2008.  The Sleigh Bell Run at Saluda Shoals.  Here was the problem:  I’d never run a race before.  And this one is in the dark with the course lit by holiday lights.  I was mentally freaked out. But I finished it.  15 minutes later than Ellen, but I finished.
• 3 weeks later, Ellen and I ran the Jingle Bell Run in Camden.  I improved my time by 3 minutes, placed 3^rd in my age bracket ( please don’t ask how many women were in my age bracket) and got my first runner’s patch.  Ok, this is now serious.  I was victorious!  I had a patch to prove it.  I was hooked.
• In October 2009, I ran the Ray Tanner 5K.  My favorite race to date!  Cheerleaders, music and when you crossed the finish line – which was home plate- they announced your name!  I felt like a rock star!  I did well enough to get another runner’s patch.  Oh, Yeah.
• Up to this point, I’ve been a so-so runner.  I limited my runs to the treadmill at the gym.  Always stayed at 3 miles.  Never more than 9 miles/week. 
• Until July of 2010.  That’s when I heard about LMC’s sponsorship of the Governor’s Cup Race.  I thought this was a great idea and that I might consider doing the 8K.  I had plenty of time to work up to 5 miles.  I liked having an event on the calendar that I could plan and work towards.  Plus, it would show support for my company.  I’m in.
• And then it happened.  I was in a group of colleagues at the gym.  They were all talking about the race and what they were going to do.  I heard about a new race training program that Health Directions (Lexington Medical Center’s health and wellness facility) was putting together.  Someone said, “Hey, Kathy.  YOU should do this with us!”  That felt good.  These people think I can hang.  I found myself caught up in the group energy and enthusiasticly said, “I’ll DO it!”  OK!  Half marathon it is!  And then instantly, I felt the color drain from my face.  Did I just commit to the half marathon? 
• July 31^st I met up with the running group for our first run. I was confident.  We planned on running 2 miles.  No problem. I knock out 3 on the treadmill easy enough.  My confidence wheezed away in a hurry.  Longest 2 miles of my life.  I had to walk parts of it. My lungs burned. My legs quivered. How could this be??  I learned quickly that there is a difference between treadmill running and outdoor running.  Big difference. I was discouraged, but with the encouragement of our running coach and my teammates, I stuck with it.
• I’ve been following the training plan for 7 weeks. I run 4 days/week with my long runs on Saturdays now up to 7-8 miles.  21 miles/week. 150 miles since August 1^st.  My goal for this year’s Governor’s Cup is simple, but important:  To finish the race and train injury free.  So far, so good.
• I’m not going to lie to you.  I have moments of pure fear when I think about running 13.1 miles. I simply cannot fathom it.  Last month I ran a 5 mile loop around the Statehouse and realized just how FAR 5 miles is.  I was freaked out for 2 days.  I ran from Health Directions in Irmo across the dam and back for my first 7 mile run.  People DRIVE that.  Maybe I should look for a car marathon.
• But there is something about running. Even in a group run, there is a sense of peaceful solitude.  (Especially when you’re at the back of the pack.) I like that.  I am surrounded by people all day.  I’m a wife, mother, daughter, sister, friend, employee and boss.  And while I wouldn’t give up any of those roles, when I run, I’m just a runner.  I can focus on one thing. It’s simple.  It’s basic.  And fills my soul.

~Kathy Howell

Keep up with Kathy’s progress between now and November 13th with updated blog posts on training and cheer her along!

Honoring Dr. Charlie Crews

During the Lexington Medical Center Foundation’s dinner and talk with USC baseball coach Ray Tanner last week, the hospital paid special tribute to a key person in its history, Dr. Charlie Crews.

Dr. Crews was the first surgeon at Lexington Medical Center when the hospital opened in 1971. Today, Dr. Crews is 93-years-old. Long after his retirement, he and his wife Dot, a former nurse, remain long-standing and loyal members of the Lexington Medical Center Foundation.

LMC President and CEO Mike Biediger, standing with coach Ray Tanner and USC President Harris Pastides, presented a resolution to Dr. Crews honoring his service to Lexington Medical Center.

Here is an excerpt from the resolution:
“In Testimony Whereof Know that Dr and Mrs. Charles F. Crews are recognized and honored for outstanding contributions to their community. Their tireless efforts and leadership throughout the Midlands have made it possible for quality health care to be provided.”

Thank you, Dr. and Mrs. Crews.

USC Baseball Coach Delivers Home Run Speech About National Championship Win

National championship winning University of South Carolina baseball coach Ray Tanner spoke to a sold-out crowd of more than 600 people at an event benefitting the Lexington Medical Center Foundation on Augusts 31st. The hometown hero delivered a home run speech with humor and inspiration about his team’s journey to victory.

Members of the Founders Society take photos with the coach.

There was a long line for pictures.

Coach Tanner got a lot of attention from news reporters.

Future USC baseball players

LMC employees decked out in Gamecock colors

Doug and Pat Weitzel of LMC

LMC President and CEO Mike Biediger, former board of directors chairman Thad Westbrook and board member Bert Holland

We showed a video montage of the baseball team’s winning season before introducing Coach Tanner.

Coach tanner speaking to more than 600 people.

USC Baseball Coach Ray Tanner Tours LMC

Ray Tanner, coach of the national championship winning University of South Carolina baseball team, toured Lexington Medical Center today.  Tanner will be the featured speaker at a dinner benefitting the Lexington Medical Center Foundation tonight.  He’ll talk about the importance of Perseverance.

LMC Presents An Evening with Ray Tanner

Photo Courtesy: USC

By leading the University of South Carolina baseball team to an acclaimed national championship, Ray Tanner has become front and center in headlines across South Carolina and the nation. Now, Coach Tanner will talk about the perseverance it takes to reach such a prestigious milestone at an event benefitting the Lexington Medical Center Foundation.

The Lexington Medical Center Foundation Speaker Series is pleased to present a dinner and talk with Ray Tanner on Tuesday, August 31, 2010 at the Radisson Hotel at the intersection of Interstate 20 and Bush River Road in Columbia. Tickets are $75. A silent auction begins at 6:00 p.m. The dinner and talk begin at 7:00 p.m. Dress is University of South Carolina casual.

Ray Tanner

During his 14 years as head coach of the University of South Carolina baseball team, Ray Tanner has established a premier program, including the 2010 national championship, where the Gamecocks became the first team ever to win six consecutive games on the way to a national title in Omaha and the first men’s team to win a national championship at the University of South Carolina. Also this year, Tanner recorded his 1,000th career victory and became collegiate baseball’s National Coach of the Year. Additionally, under Tanner’s leadership, South Carolina owns the longest streak of NCAA Regional appearances among the 12 Southeastern Conference schools.

“We look forward to a wonderful event where people can listen to one of our local heroes while supporting the Lexington Medical Center Foundation and its commitment to helping our community,” said Tim James, Executive Vice President and Director of the Lexington Medical Center Foundation.

Photo Courtesy: USC

Proceeds from the dinner and talk with Ray Tanner will benefit the Lexington Medical Center Foundation, an organization that works to ensure quality health services and patient-centered care are available for the people of the Midlands. The Lexington Medical Center Foundation serves our community through a wide variety of initiatives including nursing scholarships, programs for patients in need, women’s cancer care plans and Lexington Medical Center’s nationally-recognized Doula program. Learn more about the Lexington Medical Center Foundation at www.lexmed.com.

Tickets can be purchased online at www.lexmed.com or by calling the Lexington Medical Center Foundation office at 803-791-2540.

LMC Receives Prestigious Breast Cancer Accreditation

Lexington Medical Center has received a prestigious accreditation from the National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers (NAPBC). The organization is praising Lexington Medical Center for its commitment to providing the highest quality evaluation and management of patients with breast disease.

The NAPBC measured Lexington Medical Center’s breast cancer program by looking at 27 standards of care established by the NAPBC that collectively provide the most efficient and contemporary care available for patients.

The measured standards in the accreditation process included the presence of board-certified surgeons and oncologists, nurse navigators, digital mammography, breast MRI, support programs and services, community outreach and clinical trials. Lexington Medical Center applied to be surveyed for accreditation because the hospital wants to ensure it is providing the highest level of care possible for breast cancer, a disease that affects approximately 1 in 8 women. Currently, only seven hospitals in South Carolina have the NAPBC accreditation.

“Congratulations on your center’s dedication to the care of your patients,” said Scott Kurtzman, MD, chairman of the NAPBC Standards and Accreditation Committee in a letter to Lexington Medical Center.

Lexington Medical Center’s breast program is also accredited by the American College of Radiology (ACR). Lexington Medical Center has four Women’s Imaging Centers and a state-of-the-art digital mobile mammography van that travels throughout the Midlands. Through an innovative program known as “Five Day Detection to Diagnosis,” Lexington Medical Center provides answers about the health of a woman’s breast within five days after detection of a lump or abnormality. Lexington Medical Center works closely with women and their families throughout cancer treatment. “Becky’s Place” is a boutique located inside the hospital that offers wigs, mastectomy bras and prostheses. Breast cancer patients also receive the assistance of a nurse navigator who provides education and emotional support.

LMC Technology Helps Crime Investigation

We’ve all seen TV shows where state-of-the-art technology helps solve crimes. That kind of work has now made its way to Lexington Medical Center. In a first-of-its-kind situation, the State Law Enforcement Division (SLED) has asked the hospital to use its modern medical advancements to help with an unsolved case.

A forensic artist rendering created by a CT scan at LMC

Last year, investigators found a skeleton in Horry County. They determined the remains belonged to a man who died of gunshot wounds. But they could never learn the man’s identity. That’s when they turned to Lexington Medical Center.

A CT Scanner at LMC

SLED asked Lexington Medical Center to perform a CT scan on the man’s skull. CT stands for computed tomography. The CT scanner uses X-rays to produce cross-sectional images of the human body.
In this case, Lexington Medical Center used a 16 slice CT scanner in its Radiology department. Precise measurements from the scan allowed forensic artists to recreate a model of the man’s face. The CT scan also generated a 3D image of the face. The scan has helped to create an accurate depiction of the man’s appearance. It’s believed to be the first time that SLED has called on a hospital for this kind of work.

“CT scans are an important piece of medical technology,” said Doug Weitzel, director of Radiology at Lexington Medical Center. “Not only do the scans provide highly detailed pictures to help identify and treat illnesses, but this case illustrates the important impact in an additional capacity.”

SLED and the Horry County Police Department are circulating images of the facial reconstruction. Anyone who recognizes the man should call the Horry County Police Department at 843-915-5350.

“I hope that Lexington Medical Center’s work helps solve the case,” Weitzel said.

Lexington Medical Center is home to many types of innovative technology in its Radiology department. Lexington Medical Center was the first hospital in South Carolina to perform Microwave Ablation, which can destroy tumors in an outpatient procedure that does not require surgery. Recently, Lexington Medical Center began performing Coronary CTA on a CT scanner, providing exquisitely detailed images of the coronary arteries. Lexington Medical Center also offers Calcium Scoring to check for calcified plaque in the coronary arteries as well as Vertebroplasty and Kyphyoplasty for patients with compression fractures.

LMC Board Elects New Leaders

New LMC board chairman Billy Oswald

The Lexington Medical Center board of directors elected a new chairman and vice chairman at its meeting on Thursday, July 22nd, 2010.

Billy Oswald is the new chairman of the 21-member Lexington Medical Center board of directors. Mr. Oswald is an attorney in private practice in West Columbia. He has lived in Lexington County with his wife Brenda for 40 years. Mr. Oswald previously served as vice chairman of the board. He has been a board member for seven years.

Mr. Oswald is looking forward to the addition of important new services at the hospital.

“We want to make sure we get open heart surgery off to a good start,” Mr. Oswald said. Lexington Medical Center recently received approval to perform a full range of cardiovascular services including open heart surgery, which the hospital expects to begin in mid-2011.

New LMC vice chairman Dan Jones

Dan Jones is the new vice chairman of the Lexington Medical Center board of directors. Mr. Jones is the vice president of government relations for Time Warner Cable’s South Carolina division and has more than 30 years experience in federal, state and local government relations. He and his wife Pat have three children and two grandchildren. Mr. Jones has been a member of the board since 2008.

“I’m looking forward to learning more about the operation of the hospital and the decisions the board will make,” Mr. Jones said.

LMC Welcomes Dr. Gray Hughes, M.D., FACS

Dr. S. Gray Hughes, M.D., FACS

Lexington Medical Center is pleased to announce the addition of S. Gray Hughes, M.D., FACS to the staff of Riverside Surgical Group, a physician practice affiliated with Lexington Medical Center.

Dr. Hughes practices a full range of general, thoracic and bariatric surgery. He is board certified in general surgery by the American Board of Surgery and is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons. He is also a veteran of the United States Air Force and the Iraq war.

Dr. Hughes attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he completed his Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry, summa cum laude. He received his medical degree along with a master’s degree in Public Health from the Duke University School of Medicine. Following a general surgery residency at the University of Tennessee in Memphis, Dr. Hughes spent five years in the U.S. Air Force, initially stationed at Kirtland Air Force Base in New Mexico. Then he completed an additional year of thoracic surgery training at Keesler Air Force Base in Mississippi. He spent his last two years in the Air Force as a general and thoracic surgeon at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio, serving two tours in Iraq during this time.

The physicians at Riverside Surgical Group are specialists in minimally invasive surgery. They perform laparoscopic, thoracic, bariatric and general surgery, incorporating the latest technology available. The other physicians in the practice are Dr. Marc Antonetti, M.D., FACS; Dr. Jim Givens, M.D., FACS; and Dr. Glen Strickland, M.D., FACS. For more information on Dr. Hughes and Riverside Surgical Group, please visit www.lexmed.com.