Lexington Medical Center is celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2021.

In honor of the milestone, the Greater Cayce-West Columbia Chamber of Commerce presented a resolution to the hospital Tuesday at the Chamber’s monthly breakfast. The breakfast was held at Stone River in West Columbia and featured guest speaker Gov. Henry McMaster.

From Lexington Medical Center – From starting as a small community hospital in 1971 to becoming the anchor of a modern medical complex today, the Lexington Medical Center’s mission is to provide quality health services that meet the needs of the community.

In 1966, voters approved a referendum for the hospital, creating the biggest development project ever in Lexington County. A gracious donation of more than 22 acres of land from the Hulon family provided the site in West Columbia.

On January 6, 1971, Lexington County Hospital, as it was first called, a four-story building a fraction of the size of the hospital today, opened. There were 125 beds and 250 employees.

Over the years, Lexington Medical Center has emerged as a leader in health care. It grew steadily into a large health care organization with a wide variety of services.

Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, Lexington Medical Center pioneered community medical centers throughout Lexington County, created the Lexington Medical Center Foundation, began operating a skilled nursing facility and Alzheimer’s care center, and established a physician network with a variety of medical specialties.

In the early 2000s, Lexington Medical Center added a new tower to its campus along with medical office buildings.