TO CONGRATULATE LEXINGTON MEDICAL CENTER UPON THE OCCASION OF ITS FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY AND TO COMMEND THE CENTER FOR ITS MANY YEARS OF SERVICE TO THE LEXINGTON COMMUNITY AND THE STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA.
Whereas, the members of the South Carolina Senate are pleased to recognize Lexington Medical Center as it celebrates this important milestone in January 2021; and
Whereas, originally a small community hospital known as Lexington County Hospital, the medical facility was approved by a referendum in 1966 and opened in 1971 on land donated by the Hulon family. A four-story building, it housed 125 beds and employed 250 employees; and
Whereas, since its inception, Lexington Medical Center's mission has been to provide quality health services that meet the needs of its community; and
Whereas, over the years, Lexington Medical Center has emerged as a leader in health care. As the only locally owned, independent hospital in the Midlands, it has pioneered community medical centers throughout Lexington County, created the Lexington Medical Center Foundation, begun operating a skilled nursing facility and Alzheimer's care center, established a physician network with a variety of medical specialties, and expanded to include medical office buildings and a patient care tower, the latter of which marked the largest hospital expansion in state history; and
Whereas, with a wide variety of services, Lexington Medical Center has particularly distinguished itself as a national leader in cardiac care. The center's heart program has the highest rating possible of three stars from The Society of Thoracic Surgeons and is one of only thirty hospitals in the United States to receive a HeartCARE? Center National Distinction of Excellence from the American College of Cardiology; and
Whereas, today, Lexington Medical Center has 557 beds, four community medical centers, 70 physician practices, and more than 7,000 employees. Its network also has an occupational health center and the largest skilled nursing facility in the Carolinas; and
Whereas, dedicated to serving its community, Lexington Medical Center operates one of the busiest emergency departments in South Carolina, treating nearly 90,000 patients each year. The hospital delivers approximately 4,000 babies each year, performs more than 27,000 surgeries, and has more than 1,000,000 physician office visits; and
Whereas, Lexington Medical Center has received countless local and national awards for its outstanding patient care; and
Whereas, the members of the South Carolina Senate greatly appreciate the dedicated service of Lexington Medical Center to the people and the State of South Carolina. Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the Senate:
That the members of the South Carolina Senate, by this resolution, congratulate Lexington Medical Center upon the occasion of its fiftieth anniversary and commend the center for its many years of service to the Lexington community and the State of South Carolina.
Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Lexington Medical Center.