« All NewsLexington Medical Center Vice President Barbara Willm Is New Greater Lexington Chamber of Commerce Chair
Posted by: Jennifer Wilson, Public Relations Manager | July 13, 2011
West Columbia, S.C. – Barbara Willm, vice president of Community Relations at Lexington Medical Center, is the new chair of the Greater Lexington Chamber of Commerce. Willm began the one-year term this month after her appointment by chamber board members.
Barbara Willm has worked at Lexington Medical Center for 25 years, beginning as an Operating Room nurse. She has a bachelor’s degree in nursing from the University of South Carolina. During her career, Willm helped to open Lexington Medical Center’s six community medical centers and has played a vital leadership role speaking about hospital programs and services throughout Lexington County in her capacity as Vice President of Community Relations.
As chair of the Greater Lexington Chamber of Commerce, Willm’s responsibilities will include presiding over meetings, attending functions and participating in a coalition of chambers across the Midlands region. She has served as a chamber board member since 2008, taking on the jobs of both treasurer and chair-elect before becoming chair.
“I’m looking forward to working with such a great group of business leaders,” Willm said. “There is so much opportunity in the Greater Lexington community for positive growth.”
Her goals during her tenure are to help fundraising for the chamber’s move to a new location on Main Street in Lexington, emphasize the value of chamber membership and increase regional and economic development.
Additionally, Willm is active on the Greater Irmo Chamber of Commerce board, serving as chair there in 2002. She received the Irmo chamber’s Ambassador of the Year award in 2005. Willm is also on the boards of Leadership Lexington County, The Free Medical Clinic, the Midlands Regional Educational Center Advisory, Midlands Technical College Foundation and the Saluda Shoals Foundation. And, she is a member of the American College of Healthcare Executives.
“She has as much experience leading organizations, particularly community groups and chambers, as anyone,” says Randy Halfacre, president and CEO of the Greater Lexington Chamber and Visitors Center. “She’s well prepared to take on the challenge of our Focus on the Future capital fundraising campaign to relocate our chamber to Main Street in the coming year.”
Barbara Willm lives in Irmo with her husband Dale and their two children, Hallie and Robert.
You can learn more about the Greater Lexington Chamber of Commerce at http://www.lexingtonsc.org.
Lexington Medical Center, in West Columbia, S.C., anchors a county-wide health care network that includes six community medical centers throughout Lexington County and employs a staff of 5,200 health care professionals. The network also includes the largest extended care facility in the Carolinas, two occupational health centers and more than 40 physician practices. At its heart is the 414-bed state-of-the-art Lexington Medical Center, with a reputation for the highest quality care. Lexington Medical Center won "Best Hospital" by readers of The State for ten years in a row, "Best Hospital" by readers of the Free Times, "Best Place to Have a Baby" by readers of Palmetto Parent, the "Consumer Choice Award" from the National Research Corporation and the prestigious "Summit Award" from Press Ganey.
