In a recent blog post and YouTube video, Mid Life Celebration highlighted Lexington Medical Center’s tradition of excellence. Jeff Noel, founder at Mid Life Celebration, was traveling through Columbia, SC when he noticed a billboard for Lexington Medical Center. The billboard pointed out that LMC had once again been selected best hospital in the Columbia Metro. Here was Noel’s reaction: “To be excellent once, or maybe twice, is a huge accomplishment. But to do it eight straight years, well, unbelievable.” To check out Noel’s blog post about LMC please go to http://midlifecelebration.com/2009/12/12/mid-life-celebration-on-you-tube/.
Lexington Medical Center filed a Certificate of Need (CON) request on Thursday, December 3, 2009 with the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) for approval to perform open heart surgery and therapeutic cardiac catheterizations.
“It has been a priority of Lexington Medical Center for several years to make comprehensive cardiovascular care more accessible to the people of Lexington County,” said Mike Biediger, Lexington Medical Center President & CEO. “Approval of this request will allow us to address acute cardiac events in a more timely fashion, ultimately saving more lives.”
The CON request was made in conjunction with Providence Hospitals. Under the terms of an agreement reached with Providence Hospitals earlier this year, Lexington Medical Center is requesting approval for one open heart surgery suite and the authority to perform open heart surgery and therapeutic cardiac catheterizations. If DHEC approves the CON, Providence Hospitals will de-license one of its open heart surgery suites, allowing Lexington Medical Center to add a suite, in keeping with the state health plan.
“The ability to perform open heart surgery at Lexington Medical Center is necessary to enhance the delivery of health care in the Midlands,” said Thad Westbrook, Chairman on the Lexington Medical Center Board of Directors.
Lexington Medical Center operates the state’s second busiest Emergency Department, treating approximately 90,000 patients each year. It also operates the busiest diagnostic catheterization lab in South Carolina without a corresponding elective angioplasty or open heart surgery program. As a result, Lexington Medical Center has to transfer hundreds of patients each year to other hospitals for cardiac care.
If the CON is approved, Lexington Medical Center would create a space in its Surgery Department for an open heart surgery operating room. Post-surgery, heart patients would be cared for in critical care units with intensive cardiac and pulmonary monitoring capabilities. If Lexington Medical Center receives permission for open heart surgery by April 2010, the hospital could begin its open heart surgery program by early 2011.
According to the American Heart Association, cardiovascular disease affects 1 in 3 Americans and accounts for 1 in 3 deaths in South Carolina each year. In addition, statistics show that more Lexington County residents required open heart surgery in 2007 than did Richland County residents. Lexington Medical Center recognizes that the need for a full service open heart program for the people of Lexington County has never been greater.
Lexington Medical Center Board Chairman Thad Westbrook, President & CEO Mike Biediger and Chief of Staff Aubrey Bryant, M.D. are featured in the 2010 “Men of Lexington” magazine published by the Greater Lexington Chamber and Visitor’s Bureau. They are on the August, 2010 page.
Calendars are available for purchase at the chamber’s office at 321 South Lake Drive in Lexington for $10 each.
This is the first year that the chamber has produced calendars. They were designed to showcase chamber members throughout the Lexington County community.
The Lexington Medical Center chaplains and associate chaplains celebrated another year of providing outstanding spiritual care to our patients at the Annual Chaplain Dinner. Pastoral Care presented several awards, and everyone enjoyed a delicious meal together.
Reverend Alice Linder receives the Harold Von Nesson Award
This year, chaplains and associate chaplains volunteered 10,411 hours of service from 9,235 patient visits. Reverend Alice Linder received the Harold Von Nesson Award, which honors chaplains who go the extra mile for patients and Pastoral Care. Rev. James Gibson III received the Bill Price Award for his dedication to patients and their families as well as his commitment to Pastoral Care.
Lexington Medical Center hosted a Veterans Day Tribute at Lexington Town Hall on Wednesday, November 11th, 2009. Veterans and members of the community were cordially invited to attend this free event that honored our nation’s heroes.
The Lexington HS ROTC presents the colors
The tribute featured a patriotic musical selection by the Palmetto Mastersingers. The chorus of approximately 60 men has performed throughout South Carolina, nationally and internationally. Appearances have included the White House, Carnegie Hall, the National Cathedral, Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris at St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican. A few of the Palmetto Mastersingers are Lexington Medical Center doctors.
The Palmetto Mastersingers
WWII veteran and Honor Flight participant Murray Price
Keynote speakers were from Honor Flight South Carolina, an organization dedicated to taking World War II veterans to the World War II Memorial in Washington D.C. Speakers will be Bill Dukes, Honor Flight South Carolina founder; Murray Price, decorated World War II B-24 pilot and Honor Flight participant; and Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott, who has served as a guardian on Honor Flight trips.
Richland County Sheriff and Honor Flight guardian Leon Lott
“Lexington Medical Center is proud to partner with the Palmetto Mastersingers and the town of Lexington to honor one of our country’s most precious resources – our veterans,” said Barbara Willm, vice president of Community Relations for Lexington Medical Center. “We are pleased to be part of such a tribute.”
Lexington Medical Center is proud that readers of the Free Times have once again voted us as “Best Hospital” in the Midlands. Here’s what they said about us in their November, 2009 “Best Of” issue.
“Columbia has more hospitals than most cities its size but this one consistently outshines the competition. Obviously, you don’t want to think about your next illness or injury, but when the inevitable hap…pens, it is good to know there’s somewhere that offers top-notch care and state-of-the-art treatment, no matter your condition.”
Lexington Medical Center words hard each day to provide quality health services that meet the needs of our community. We appreciate the accolades.
Readers of The State newspaper also voted Lexington Medical Center as “Best Hospital” this year. It was the tenth year in a row that LMC received the honor.
Lexington Medical Center was the title sponsor of the Lexington Medical Center Governor’s Cup on Saturday, November 7th in downtown Columbia. The event includes a half marathon, 8K run and a walk. More than 1,500 people participated.
Dozens of Lexington Medical Center employees took part in each aspect of the race.
Lexington Medical Center is proud to support events in our community that promote health and healthy lifestyles. We know that exercise is good for you in a number of ways, from losing weight to reducing stress and improving cardiovascular health.
The race was a tremendous success and we were proud to be part of it.
Lexington Medical Center will host a Veterans Day Tribute at Lexington Town Hall on Wednesday, November 11th, 2009 at 3:00 p.m. Veterans and members of the community are cordially invited to attend this free event that will honor our nation’s heroes.
The tribute will feature a patriotic musical selection by the Palmetto Mastersingers. The chorus of approximately 60 men has performed throughout South Carolina, nationally and internationally. Appearances have included the White House, Carnegie Hall, the National Cathedral, Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris at St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican.
Keynote speakers for the tribute will be from Honor Flight South Carolina, an organization dedicated to taking World War II veterans to the World War II Memorial in Washington D.C. Speakers will be Bill Dukes, Honor Flight South Carolina founder; Murray Price, decorated World War II B-24 pilot and Honor Flight participant; and Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott, who has served as a guardian on Honor Flight trips.
“Lexington Medical Center is proud to partner with the Palmetto Mastersingers and the town of Lexington to honor one of our country’s most precious resources – our veterans,” said Barbara Willm, vice president of Community Relations for Lexington Medical Center. “We are pleased to be part of such a tribute and encourage all to attend.”
Lexington Medical Center is pleased to present “Less Is More,” a free lecture about minimally invasive spine surgery, with Dr. Scott Boyd, board-certified neurosurgeon. It’s the October installment of the hospital’s monthly physician lecture series. If you have an idea for a future lecture topic, let us know!
Lexington Medical Center’s 2009 “Women’s Night Out” on October 13th was a tremendous success. This sold out event at the Embassy Suites hotel in Columbia highlighted October as National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
“Women’s Night Out is a celebration of breast cancer survivors,” said Barbara Willm, vice president of community relations at Lexington Medical Center. “It is our privilege to recognize and celebrate the brave individuals that face such challenges with grace, dignity and courage.”
Women's Night Out Silent Auction
There were exhibits featuring LMC physician practices that specialize in women’s services, a silent auction, dinner and a keynote speech.
Jill Eikenberry and Michael Tucker
This year’s speakers were Jill Eikenberry and Michael Tucker, stars of NBC’s long-running hit TV show “L.A. Law.”
Jill Eikenberry
Eikenberry, a breast cancer survivor, and Tucker are married. They talked about her experience with breast cancer and how it impacted their relationship. Proceeds benefit the Cancer Care Fund at Lexington Medical Center, which provides cancer services to patients in need.
Eikenberry and Tucker toured Lexington Medical Center before the event.
Jill Eikenberry and Michael Tucker tour LMC
Statistics show that 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer. Lexington Medical Center’s breast cancer program is nationally accredited by the American College of Radiology. Its services combine the latest technology with unsurpassed compassion.
Lexington Medical Center is using MammoSite Targeted Radiation Therapy, an innovative treatment that shortens treatment time and minimizes cosmetic changes. The hospital network has system-wide digital mammography, which can detect spots as small as a grain of sand. Lexington Medical Center offers “Five-Day Detection to Diagnosis,” which guarantees a doctor visit, tests, diagnosis and discussion of treatment options within five days of detecting a lump. And, Lexington Medical Center is home to Becky’s Place, a boutique that offers products including wigs, bras and prosthetics for women recovering from breast cancer.
In a recent blog post and YouTube video, Mid Life Celebration highlighted Lexington Medical Center’s tradition of excellence. Jeff Noel, founder at Mid Life Celebration, was traveling through Columbia, SC when he noticed a billboard for Lexington Medical Center. The billboard pointed out that LMC had once again been selected best hospital in the Columbia Metro. Here was Noel’s reaction: “To be excellent once, or maybe twice, is a huge accomplishment. But to do it eight straight years, well, unbelievable.” To check out Noel’s blog post about LMC please go to http://midlifecelebration.com/2009/12/12/mid-life-celebration-on-you-tube/.
Lexington Medical Center is proud that readers of the Free Times have once again voted us as “Best Hospital” in the Midlands. Here’s what they said about us in their 
Lexington Medical Center will host a Veterans Day Tribute at Lexington Town Hall on Wednesday, November 11th, 2009 at 3:00 p.m. Veterans and members of the community are cordially invited to attend this free event that will honor our nation’s heroes.
Lexington Medical Center is pleased to present “Less Is More,” a free lecture about minimally invasive spine surgery, with Dr. Scott Boyd, board-certified neurosurgeon. It’s the October installment of the hospital’s monthly physician lecture series. If you have an idea for a future lecture topic, let us know!
