Parkridge Hospital - coming soon
September 27, 2007 | 4 Comments
Can’t we all just get along?
I was pleased to see DHEC (who is charged with making these decisions, not the state legislature) approve recent requests for two hospitals in our community. I was hopeful that we’d all be one big, happy, community after these decisions but I guess after reading last month’s article, it appears things may not be finalized.
Here’s the article from The State along with information about what should be coming our way soon (I hope).
MIDLANDS HOSPITALS GET OK TO ADD BEDS
EXPANSIONS COME IN GROWTH AREAS BUT NOT WITHOUT CHALLENGE
BEN WERNER bwerner@thestate.com
The Columbia area’s three hospital systems received state approval Monday for nearly $190 million in expansions in highgrowth regions of the Midlands.
* The Irmo area gets its first hospital, with Palmetto Health expanding the Parkridge emergency care facility.
* Providence Hospital Northeast will nearly double in size with a 38-bed, $81.8 million expansion that includes a new MRI unit and expanded emergency room.
* Lexington Medical Center will boost its beds by 10 percent.
Although the hospitals received what they requested, not everyone was happy: Lexington Medical Center plans to challenge the other expansions.
“They flip-flopped and approved the very same projects they strongly denied less than two years ago,” said Tod Augsburger, Lexington’s chief operating officer. “State health planning is becoming political.”
Lexington Medical officials still are miffed that both Palmetto and Providence fought its proposed open-heart surgery program, said Lynn Bailey, a Columbia health economist.
Lexington’s latest challenge, she said, “is revenge.”
Any hospital has 15 days to challenge the approvals made by the state regulators.
“It’s the end of the regular season,” Bailey said. “Now we go to the playoffs. ….. I don’t see it being resolved until there’s a change in leadership at some institutions.”
Palmetto Health Baptist Parkridge was planned for nearly a decade, but state regulators expressed concern in 2005 that Palmetto was overextending itself with the costly project.
A year ago, Palmetto resubmitted a less expensive Parkridge plan, shaving $40 million off its original plan by tweaking the building’s layout and size.
The approved project carries a $99.5 million price tag.
“In the redesign phase, we did not compromise care and quality of care,” Palmetto chief executive Charles Beaman said.
The Parkridge facility will use 76 beds that are licensed — but unused — at the downtown Palmetto Baptist facility.
Lexington Medical leaders argued during the approval process that Palmetto’s Irmo-area project duplicates what Lexington has at a nearby satellite facility.
The guide used to decide hospital expansions, based on population and technology, called for 38 more beds in Lexington County.
Augsburger said Lexington Medical’s request for 38 beds filled that need. The $8 million expansion — due to be finished in a year — will bring the total beds at the center to 384.
But a proposed update of the guide regulators used predicts Lexington County’s growing population needs an additional 104 beds on top of the 38 Lexington Medical Center requested, Bailey said.
That appeared to leave the door open for Parkridge, she said. In their letter approving Parkridge, the state regulators from the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control wrote the new hospital’s impact would be “minimal” for competitors.
Meanwhile, Sister Judith Ann Karam, chief executive of Sisters of Charity Providence Hospitals, said she had hoped no one would challenge the Providence Northeast expansion. “We supported Lexington’s additional beds,” she said.
Tim Flach contributed. Reach Werner at (803) 771-8509.
* * *
COLUMBIA-AREA HOSPITALS
Number of beds after expansions and transfers approved by state regulators Monday:
1. Palmetto Health Richland: 649
2. Palmetto Health Baptist: 413
3. Lexington Medical Center: 384
4. Providence Hospital: 258
5. Providence Northeast: 84
6. Palmetto Health Baptist Parkridge: 76
* * *
WHAT’S NEW — EXPANSION AT THREE FACILITIES
PALMETTO HEALTH BAPTIST PARKRIDGE: Irmo-area emergency-care facility becomes a hospital with 76 beds transferred from Palmetto Health Baptist in Columbia
Price: $99.5 million
—————————————————–
PROVIDENCE HOSPITAL NORTHEAST
Adding 38 beds and expanding the emergency room at the 46-bed hospital
Price: $81.8 million
—————————————————–
LEXINGTON MEDICAL CENTER
Adding 38 beds to 346-bed hospital outside West Columbia
Price: $8.1 million
Copyright (c) 2007 The State
Record Number: 0708280063
Colonel Pete Sercer - A Palmetto Patriot
September 27, 2007 | 1 Comment
(Pictured above: Colonel Pete Sercer with Chairman of Lexington/Richland School District Five Board, Paula Hite)
Last week (September 19th) I joined several from our community at the Dedication and Recognition Ceremony for Colonel Sercer as the Irmo High School AFROTC wing was named in his honor.
The event took place in the Freedom Gardens of Irmo High School and the list of guests was impressive. Members from the School District, School Board, Irmo High School, the State Legislature, US Congress, US Senate, Richland County, Lexington County, and the media were present on this special day.
Col. Sercer has done so much for our community and I wanted to share a letter our Lt. Governor wrote for this occasion:
State of South Carolina
Office of the Lieutenant Governor
A Palmetto Patriot
It is indeed an honor to recognize
Colonel Peter E. Sercer
U.S. Air Force Retired, Ed. D
It is my privilege to recognize Colonel Pete Sercer as a true Palmetto Patriot. Col Sercer served his country valiantly for twenty-six years, was a Vietnam Veteran, was presented the Bronze Star and also received the Legion of Merit from the USAF. Colonel Sercer accepted the position of ROTC professor at the University of South Carolina and then later became the Irmo High School Air Force JROTC instructor in 1984 until 2006. Under his leadership the Irmo High School Air Force Junior ROTC received the Outstanding Unit Award twenty-two times. During his tenure with the Irmo High School unit, he led the unit to many, many accomplishments. He was always involved with projects for Irmo High School and the community. It seemed as though nothing was too tough for him to accomplish. We give special praise to his ability to lead the members of the unit to great successes. His influence on every Irmo High School student is unmatched and this was a result of his being a great example, a great role model. His dedication to the Air Force core values of “Integrity First”, “Service Before Self”, and “Excellence in all we do” is reflected in all of the cadets that he led. The beautiful project, the Freedom Gardens of Irmo High, reflects his creativity, his dedication, his ingenuity and his love for the school and the students. Col Pete Sercer served his country, Irmo High School and his cadets with honor, leadership, and love for his fellowman. His desire to achieve great things and his dedication to the tasks are assets few are recognized for. Therefore it is a very special honor to name Colonel Pete Sercer a True Palmetto Patriot.
Andre Bauer
Lieutenant Governor
September 7, 2007
My 20th High School Reunion
September 25, 2007 | 3 Comments
Say it ain’t so?! Has it already been 20 years since I graduated from Riverside High School (Greer, South Carolina)?
Well, actually it’s been 19 years (Class of 1988) but this weekend our class joined up with the Classes of 1987 and 1986 for a “20th Reunion” in Greenville and I can tell you it was a blast.
I remember our 10th reunion, but ten years after high school everyone was just getting started with their families, their jobs, their lives as “adults” if you will. Now, another decade older, it seemed we had so much more to share with each other. Some had children actually attending Riverside High School now! Others had large families and/or exciting careers. Many traveled from Boston, Florida, or even California just to catch up.
I missed the Friday tour of the new high school and the evening football game against our rival, Eastside High (we won 56-0). But I was able to catch up with several friends later that night and again Saturday for the “big event”.
Surprisingly, I recognized almost everyone. Sure, many of the guys’ hair was thinner. Yes, many of us had put on some pounds (me, included). But - no - the 1980s big-hair for the females was not present this evening. To me - everyone looked pretty much just as I remembered 20 years ago.
Many of the old “couples” caught up and it seemed everyone was introducing their spouse to their past high-school sweethearts and/or prom dates. Actually, most of the spouses seemed to enjoy the night as much as the alumni. Everyone really seemed to get along and by the end of the night, we were dancing the night away to a 1980’s cover band. (Yes, I’m a child of the 80s and admit my musical tastes seem to have stuck with that decade).
Most people asked me what it was like to be in politics but I wanted to know more about what they were doing than share what I was doing. After all, politics isn’t really that interesting to most people- and I figured they were just asking to be nice.
I hadn’t seen some folks in 20 years. A handful of others though, I stay in close contact with and every year for the past ten years, eight of us high school buds go on a golf weekend.
Looking back, I realize how lucky I am to not only have a close group of guys that I’ve known for 20+ years; but also how those high school years were really some of the most formidable years of my life - and I’m sure that’s the case for most of us that made the trip back.
We’re “grown up” now and many have had “grown up” experiences over the past two decades: death of family members/close friends, job losses, divorce, moving more times than you’d like with your career, etc. The bright side to that is no one’s been through it alone. Each class seems to have a tight group of different friends (clicks, if you will) and instead of the negative association that title brings in high school, I think now it means more. It means a closeness, a bond. People to call and to know that you can share both the good times and the bad.
I’m wondering what stories we’ll be sharing ten more years from now? Until then, we can remember those pep rallies almost two decades ago, each of us putting our arms around our classmate and swaying back-and-forth singing our alma mater….
In spirit and in learning,
Our best in everything we do.
Warriors strong in brotherhood -
Loyal, red and blue.
Ties that bind us to each other -
Fill our hearts with love and pride.
When we go our separate ways,
We’ll always remember - Riverside!
Thanks to Laura Varello Campbell, Gary Daniels, Lisa DeLuca Cole, Beth Botts Norton, Tim Eggena, and Scott Shaunessy for putting this weekend on for us! The DVD with 200+ pictures was great and my wife’s still laughing at my Senior Picture that was on my nametag!
Chapin Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast
September 24, 2007 | 3 Comments
Last Tuesday, I was pleased to attend the Chapin Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast and joined several other men and women of faith for a wonderful event and breakfast.
I want to personally thank Mayor Stan Shealy for his commitment to this event in our community.
Pictured above is Dr. Ken Kelly, pastor of Chapin Baptist, along with Dawn Smith Jordan, former Miss South Carolina, and the Rev. Derrick Gardner, founding pastor of the Life Springs Worship Center in West Columbia.
Dawn performed a few songs and displayed the wonderful talent God has given her. Derrick shared a remarkable story about prayer and how in his own personal life it has provided great things. Particularly how it helped his parents years ago become missionaries to South Africa.
Remember, God does answer all prayers. Sometimes with a “yes”; other times with a “no”; occasionally with “not right now”.
That thought brings me to a favorite verse of mine: Jeremiah 29:11 “….For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future…”
I leave with this: Prayer should be our first resource; not our last resort.
Dutch Fork High School Interact Club
September 24, 2007 | Leave a Comment
I couldn’t believe the turnout two weeks ago (September 10) when I was at the Dutch Fork High School Interact Club Kickoff at Gatsbee’s! Over 50 students turned out for the kickoff event for a group that is already very active at the high school and our community.
Led by Kelly Payne, this group of tomorrow’s leaders spends times performing various service activities around town. While doing so, the students are learning about Rotary International and even attend my weekly Rotary Club breakfast meeting at the Cotton House (Rotary Club of Lake Murray / Irmo).
They’ve already made an impact with Alive @ 25 at Dutch Fork High School as well as assisting my Rotary Club by distributing dictionaries to every third-grade class in our school district.
These involved students are staying true to their school’s motto….Enter to Learn, Go Forth to Serve!
This can’t bode well for education in our state
September 19, 2007 | 1 Comment
If you thought this would be a post about another rock-bottom nationwide statistic for SC schools, don’t worry. We see that enough already.
What I’m about to share though will probably make you scratch your head and say “No wonder those numbers aren’t improving as quickly as we’d like.”
If you didn’t know Wednesday is “SC Legislators-Back-to-School Program” (at least for Columbia), don’t worry. Apparently no one else does either.
Apparently folks are asked to encourage their school administrators to invite local legislators to participate and visit our schools any day between September 17 - October 19.
That’s great! But we’re off to a rough (apathetic?) start in the Midlands.
A few weeks ago I received a letter from the South Carolina Association of School Administrators (SCASA) asking me to participate in the Columbia area event tomorrow. We would leave the State House around 9:30 a.m. and visit Forest Lake Elementary, Logan Elementary (lunch there) and then Irmo Elementary (in my school district - Lexington/Richland School District Five). Our trip would end at 3:00 p.m.
Sounds great! I can visit schools in other districts, visit another in mine, and hopefully gain some insight by asking questions and listening to those in the classroom - where teaching and learning is the goal.
I couldn’t believe it though when today I received a voice mail saying “…tomorrow’s been cancelled due to lack of support.”
What? Lack of support? Isn’t education one of THE biggest challenges in our state?
How can we improve our public schools if Legislators can’t take one day to visit and ask the tough questions? Now, to be fair, Legislators are invited to some sort of event almost every day of the year for some group, organization, or issue (and sometimes multiple events on the same day). Maybe, just maybe, everyone had another function they committed to that conflicted with this important event.
And, yes, Legislators do have paying jobs (mine is at Wachovia Mortgage) and after spending months away from that job, we do need to pay the bills and devote our attention to our families when we’re not in session.
And, yes, I’m sure many of my colleagues throughout the state are regularly visiting their schools (I know most of our local legislators do).
But, c’mon. This is EDUCATION folks. If there’s one event we should attend and one issue that is vital to improving our state’s quality of life and future, this has got to be THE one, right?
Oh well. When I came home tonight, I received an open invitation in the mail today from Round Top Elementary (not in my district). Maybe others will follow.
This makes me ask the question though: Is it the legislators who don’t have the time or desire to participate and learn more about our schools or is the schools who do not want the legislators to participate and learn more?
Ballentine Elementary Student Leaders
September 17, 2007 | Leave a Comment
During the past two weeks, I’ve spent time again in our schools and visited with our teachers, administrators and our leaders of tomorrow (the children).
Pictured above are the Student Leaders at Ballentine Elementary School. This group of 4th and 5th graders is led by Mrs. Weaver and Mrs. Metts. My visit on September 12 started with two young men meeting me at the front door and making me feel welcome from the start!
I spoke with the students about the importance of being a leader both in and out of the classroom. Being a leader on the ball fields. Being a leader at home. They all understood that others were watching them and they all understood what happens when leaders make wrong decisions. (The first example that came to their mind when I asked was Michael Vick).
Before I left, I explained how the desire they have to help others was put there by God and that it will never leave them. It’s not there by mistake. It’s there for a reason.
That Saturday, the children visited the Lowman Home and no doubt brightened up the resident’s day with their stories, songs, and questions.
They certainly brightened my day by presenting me with BES the bear and I have him on display in my office at the State House.
Presidential Candidate to walk in Okra Strut
September 16, 2007 | 1 Comment
Years ago, George W. Bush came to the Irmo/Chapin area to show how important the Midlands are to SC Politics. What he knew (and others) is that you had better win the S.C. Republican Primary if you plan on becoming our nation’s President. Governor Bush did just that by winning the support of the Palmetto State and then going on to claim the Republican nomination and, obviously, the Presidency.
For the past several months, we’ve seen candidates from both parties visit our state and area but now that it’s after Labor Day, the full court press will be on. Most recently, Senator Sam Brownback walked in the Chapin Labor Day Parade. Senator Brownback is one of many Republican candidates for President; but many will tell you that we elect Governors as President - not Senators.
To fix Washington, you don’t bring an “insider” into the Oval Office. This year’s crop of Republican candidates has the normal “insiders” (Senators, Congressman, lifelong politicians) but there are also candidates with previous executive experience and business backgrounds.
I’m proud to announce that my candidate for President, Governor Mitt Romney, (who is not a lifelong politician or a political insider) will walk in the 2007 Okra Strut Parade. I plan to walk by his side as he continues to build on the momentum that has him leading the polls in the first two important, early voting states - Iowa and New Hampshire.
Many may not be familiar with Governor Romney but when you take the time over the next few months, you’ll find a man who is not only qualified to serve but also is someone full of energy, with a positive vision to lead America to a brighter future. Someone who came to our country (and world’s) rescue by saving the Salt Lake Winter Olympics (which before Governor Romney came was mired in debt, scandal, and corruption). Someone who in the most liberal states of all (Massachusetts), worked to successfully turn a budget deficit into a surplus.
When Governor Romney sees a problem, he knows how to fix it.
Rasmussen Reports that while many voters see Mayor Rudy Guiliani and Senator John McCain as politically moderate or liberal, Governor Romney and Senator Fred Thompson are seen as the most conservative candidates.
I’m pleased to support Governor Romney and I hope you’ll take time to learn more about him, his wonderful wife and family, and his vision for stronger families, a stronger economy, and a stronger military.
Memomma - we’ll miss you!
September 11, 2007 | 3 Comments
We all have those special names for family members and the name I called my grandmother was Memomma.
It started when I was very young and my Mom was trying to explain who we were going to visit that day. It went something like my Mom telling me “We’re going to see My Mommy”. As a young child, that came out of my mouth as Me Mommy and so it just sort of stuck.
As the oldest grandchild, the name I called her “became” her name for the family and it gradually turned into “Memomma” as we grew older.
I share this today with you because this morning Memomma left us and went to Heaven.
She was 83 and had a great life. I remember in my younger days the times out at the lake house, the nights I would sleep in her bed after Carolina games, cutting her lip during a round of putt-putt (she was behind me helping and I took a huge backswing), and the reunions where our side of the family would wear silly hats/shirts to show we were all there.
More recently we would grab an occasional lunch together. She loved being a great-grandmother and I can still see her holding “her boy” (her great-grandson, JC). One of my favorite pictures is one of Memomma, my dad, me, and JC…four generations.
Fortunately JC,Emma, Sarah and Karen and I had some quality time with her just a few weeks ago. I’m glad we got to see her smiling, getting around on her own, laughing and talking with us.
Days after that she turned for the worse and cancer started to overcome her. My mom and dad have been through alot the past few weeks but have been by her side.
We all had our goodbyes and we know she is with the Lord. Memomma can also see my grandfather and my uncle again as well as her parents and one of her sisters.
I’ll never forget my Memomma and I guess it’s ironic she passed on a day our nation will never forget too.
Corporal David G. Weimortz Memorial Highway
September 10, 2007 | Leave a Comment
Tomorrow our nation will remember a day that will never be forgotten. They say that 9/11 is my generation’s Pearl Harbor and that on that day…..everything changed.
We all remember where we were when the first plane struck the towers and then moments later as those buildings fell to the ground and the world as we knew it stopped.
We also understand how our lives will never be the same after those terrorists attacks in New York City, Washington, and Pennsylvania.
Fortunately for you and I, we have the best men and women in the world fighting to protect our freedom and to spread freedom to others who are oppressed. Whether it’s in Iraq, Afghanistan, or other countries, the American Soldier is doing his/her job…everyday…away from home…and often without the thanks and respect they deserve.
I never knew Corporal David G. Weimortz from Irmo, South Carolina but after attending his visitation and services last year, he’s someone I wish I had a chance to meet and personally thank. Last year, David paid the ultimate sacrifice for his country and on what would have been his 30th birthday two weeks ago (August 31, 2007), I was proud to be a part of dedicating a portion of the road in front of Dutch Fork High School in his memory.
David was a Dutch Fork High School graduate and I think it’s appropriate that the road in front of his high school is now named in his memory. I can think of no better role model for our high school students than someone from their school who served his country well and fought the war on terror in hopes of making our country and the world a better place.
Thank you, David. You will not be forgotten.