The Lexington Medical Center Governor’s Cup

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.

LMC to Host Veterans Day Tribute

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.”

“Less Is More:” Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery

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!

“Women’s Night Out” is Successful Breast Cancer Event

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.

LMC President & CEO Receives Chamber Honor

Mike Biediger, LMC President & CEO

Lexington Medical Center President & CEO Mike Biediger has received a special resolution from the board of directors of the Greater Lexington Chamber and Visitor’s Center.

The resolution honors Mr. Biediger for his 20 years of leadership at Lexington Medical Center, first as executive vice president and chief operating officer, then as president & CEO, and his work partnership with the chamber.

“Mike Biediger has not only promoted business as the largest employer in the county, but his efforts in the area of health care and keeping our work force healthy and safe deserved recognition,” said Scott Adams, chairman of the board of directors for the Greater Lexington Chamber and Visitor’s Center.

An excerpt of the resolution reads:
“The Greater Lexington Chamber and Visitor’s Center wishes to congratulate him for his tireless service and outstanding contributions to Lexington County, the Lexington business community and the Greater Lexington Chamber and Visitor’s Center.”

Mr. Biediger received the resolution at the chamber’s general membership breakfast in September. At that meeting, the chamber also honored Dr. Karen Woodward, superintendent of Lexington School District One, for receiving the lifetime achievement award from the South Carolina Association of School Administrators.

Adams said it was appropriate to honor Mr. Biediger and Ms. Woodward together because the delivery of both health care and education are vital for economic development. Adams said the combination of excellent health care and great schools in Lexington County is unparalleled.

Mr. Biediger joined Lexington Medical Center in 1989 as executive vice president and chief operating officer. He has served as president and CEO since 1996. He is credited for demonstrating an excellent understanding of the health care industry and needs of our community, focusing on bringing important technology and services to the hospital and creating a unique employee culture of caring, dedication and teamwork.

LMC Debuts New “Best Hospital” Commercials

Lexington Medical Center has debuted a new series of television commercials.

The spots feature three Lexington Medical Center employees from different areas of the hospital. They are Nurse Recruiter Joel Watts, Nurse Anesthetist Jennifer Dablock and Registered Nurse Addy Hoffman. The commercials also have glimpses of other hospital employees including staff from Nursing, Volunteer Services, Nutrition Services, Marketing and the Operating Room.

Lexington Medical Center’s Marketing Director Mark Shelley led the production of the commercials in response to the hospital receiving a prestigious honor. Readers of The State newspaper voted Lexington Medical Center as “Best Hospital” in the Midlands of South Carolina for the tenth year in a row.

“We truly believe in the message of this campaign, that Lexington medical Center is consistently voted “Best Hospital” because of our employees,” Shelley said.

Showcased participants were selected by their colleagues for their outstanding dedication and unparalleled service to the hospital’s mission of providing quality health services that meet the needs of our community.

The commercials are the latest component of the hospital’s “Best Hospital” campaign which has also featured print and billboard advertising over the last year.

The commercials will air on several television stations in our service area for the next few months.

Meet Dr. Aubrey Bryant: New LMC Chief of Staff

Lexington Medical Center has named Aubrey A. Bryant, MD as its new Chief of Staff.

Dr. Bryant, who practices in the Lexington Medical Center Emergency Department, will serve a two-year term as Chief of Staff. He has practiced medicine in the Columbia area since completing his residency in 1996.

“It is an honor to be the new Chief of Staff at Lexington Medical Center. As the first emergency physician to serve as Chief of Staff, I look forward to working with Administration, our board of directors and our medical staff,” said Dr. Bryant.

Dr. Bryant received his undergraduate degree from Jacksonville University and his medical degree from the University of South Carolina. He is a member of the American College of Emergency Physicians and section of Observation Medicine, the South Carolina chapter of American College of Emergency Physicians and the South Carolina Medical Association. Dr. Bryant has also served Lexington Medical Center as the Associate Medical Director for the Emergency Department, the Medical Director of the Clinical Decision Unit and the Emergency Department representative for the Medical Executive Committee.

LMC Celebrates Emergency Nurses

Lexington Medical Center celebrated Emergency Nurses Week beginning October 11th. 

Lexington Medical Center operates the second largest Emergency department in South Carolina, treating approximately 90,000 patients each year.  

This week, our ER nurses each received new scrubs and bags, kindly given to them by ER physicians and directors.

Thank you to our ER nurses for their excellent work, dedication and comfort they provide to our patients.

LMC Diabetes Educator Featured in National Magazine

Lexington Medical Center clinical diabetes educator Valerie Summerset RN, MSN, CDE is featured in an article in this month’s issue of “Health Matters” magazine, a national publication. Summmerset talks about diabetes patients who are living alone. The article also features one of her patients, who lives in West Columbia.

Health Matters, October 2009

Health Matters, October 2009

Health Matters, October 2009

Health Matters, October 2009

Health Matters, October 2009

Summersett has led the diabetes program at Lexington Medical Center in West Columbia for 10 years and has a total of 24 years of experience working with diabetes patients. She works both with groups and with patients one on one, mostly in the outpatient arena, though she helps with inpatients, too. In addition to leading educational sessions about diabetes, she runs a support group for seniors with type 2 diabetes, and encourages participants to bring a friend or family member along.

Type 2 diabetes is a serious problem in South Carolina. Nearly 11% of our adult population has the disease.

LMC Breast Cancer Expert Speaks on TV

Dr. Lynn Tucker of Lexington Surgical Associates, a physician practice affiliated with Lexington Medical Center, traveled to WIS-TV in Columbia on October 1st to mark the first day of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Dr. Tucker, who is a breast cancer expert and leader in her field, spoke to WIS reporter and anchor Stewart Moore about breast cancer. You can view the story here.