November 10, 2020
West Columbia, S.C.– Lexington Medical Center has received the prestigious HeartCARE CenteräNational Distinction of Excellence from the American College of Cardiology. The hospital is the only health care organization in South Carolina with this accreditation, and one of only 30 in the United States to achieve this honor.
The HeartCARE Center National Distinction of Excellence is the highest honor the ACC awards. It recognizes hospitals for commitment to comprehensive, high-quality culture and cardiovascular care through accreditations and ongoing registry reporting. Lexington Medical Center achieved this elite status by demonstrating its commitment to delivering the highest quality heart care for our community.
“Since Lexington Medical Center began its comprehensive cardiovascular care program in 2012, we have strived to provide the best possible heart care to our families, friends and neighbors,” said Tod Augsburger, president & CEO of Lexington Medical Center. “This prestigious honor reflects our commitment to meeting our hospital’s mission of providing quality health services that meet the needs of our community.”
The ACC has repeatedly recognized Lexington Medical Center for its excellent heart care. In 2014, the hospital received the organization’s Chest Pain Center Accreditation for providing efficient and effective care for acute coronary syndrome patients. In July 2020, Lexington Medical Center became the first hospital in South Carolina and the second in the nation with an Accredited ACC Cardiac Cath Lab. In September 2020, Lexington Medical Center became the ACC’s first certified Transcatheter Valve program in South Carolina, and one of just 14 nationally.
Robert M. Malanuk, MD, FACC, medical director of Lexington Medical Heart and Vascular Center, said the recognition reflects a team effort.
“We are proud of our heart program for being nationally recognized by this honor and for being the first in the state as a designated HeartCARE center,” Dr. Malanuk said. “This recognition reflects a tremendous effort put forward by a team of doctors, advanced practice providers, nurses and support staff who have a passion for quality and service. We continue to dedicate ourselves daily to ensure that Lexington Medical Center is the best place for our patients to receive their heart and vascular care.”
Lexington Medical Center has become a leader in heart care in the Southeast. Multidisciplinary teams of clinicians work together to provide the best care to patients with complex cardiovascular disease. For more information about Lexington Medical Heart and Vascular Center, visit LexMed.com/HVC.
To download video of Lexington Medical Heart and Vascular Center, click here.
Lexington Medical Center is a 607-bed teaching hospital in West Columbia, South Carolina. It anchors a health care network that includes five community medical centers and employs a staff of more than 8,000 health care professionals. The hospital is ranked best hospital in the Columbia Metro and #2 hospital in South Carolina by U.S. News & World Report and was named one of the “Best Places to Work in South Carolina” by SC Biz News, in partnership with the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce and Best Companies Group. Lexington Medical Cancer Center is an accredited Cancer Center of Excellence and has a clinical research and education affiliation with MUSC Hollings Cancer Center. The network includes a cardiovascular program recognized by the American College of Cardiology as South Carolina's first HeartCARE Center. The network also has an occupational health center, the largest skilled nursing facility in the Carolinas, an Alzheimer's care center and more than 70 physician practices. Lexington Medical Center operates one of the busiest Emergency departments in South Carolina, treating nearly 100,000 patients each year. The hospital delivers more than 4,000 babies each year and performs more than 25,000 surgeries. Its postgraduate medical education programs include family medicine and transitional year residencies.
