MUSC Health — Transplant Program — Mid-Carolinas has completed its first kidney transplant at Lancaster Medical Center.
The program opened at the local medical campus in March, just four months ago.
The success of this transplant is a testament of the high-caliber health care and the talented medical staff now available in this region of South Carolina.
The transplant patient, John Amaker, 70, of Lexington, is not only excited about having a new lease on life, but also has overwhelming praise for the physicians and medical team involved in his care.
“Not only do I feel very good, but I was up and walking the very next day,” Amaker said. “I have told everyone I know about the exceptional care I received while a patient at MUSC Health — Lancaster.
“It would be hard to find any doctors better than those I had in Dr. Prince and his team. My entire medical team delivered outstanding care. I could not have asked for anything better,” he said.
“This is a big step forward toward the bright future of health care in this area,” said Dr. Prince Mohan Anand, transplant nephrologist and director of transplant services for MUSC’s Lancaster Division. “We are keeping our promise of providing great care and better access locally.”
Anand is referring to the promise made by the leadership of MUSC Health upon acquisition of the Lancaster hospital in March 2019. This promise was to provide exceptional care and innovative services closer to home for those in Lancaster and surrounding communities.
As of now, there are over 28 patients listed with the Transplant Program — Mid-Carolinas.
If a patient is listed with a program, it means the patient is considered for available organs, based on a combination of medical facts entered into a computerized matching program. Some of the factors include blood and tissue type, medical urgency, distance between the donor and transplant hospital, body size and how long they have been awaiting a transplant.
Amaker had been on waitlists for four and a half years and was listed in Charleston, Augusta and Duke.
Multiple listings help shorten the average wait time for transplant candidates, which is why opening the location in Lancaster is a lifesaving option for those in need of a kidney. Lancaster’s proximity to Charlotte, N.C., and surrounding communities allows a larger segment of patients to experience decreased wait times for a lifesaving kidney.
“This is an incredible milestone for our division, the entire MUSC Health system and the state of South Carolina,” said J. Scott Broome, chief executive officer of MUSC Health — Lancaster Division.
“I would like to extend a huge congratulations to Dr. Anand, who is leading our transplant program, along with the members of our transplant team,” he said.
“We are also thankful for our partnership with Founders Federal Credit Union and for their recent $500,000 commitment to MUSC Health — Transplant Program — Mid-Carolinas.”
The MUSC Health — Lancaster Division believes in the power of people to create excellent health care and strongly adheres to the mission of the MUSC Health system to preserve and optimize human life in South Carolina and beyond through education, research and patient care.
The Lancaster Division of MUSC Health includes MUSC Health — Lancaster Medical Center, MUSC Health — Chester Medical Center, MUSC Health — Chester Nursing Center, The Surgery Center at Edgewater, MUSC Health — Lancaster Rehabilitation, MUSC Health — Wound Care and Hyperbaric Center and 18 medical practices in Lancaster and Chester counties.
About Lancaster Medical CenterMore than 400 physicians and advanced practice providers and over 700 care team members form the team at Lancaster Medical Center.
A 225-bed hospital, Lancaster Medical Center offers acute care, diagnostic services, women’s health, orthopaedic services inclusive of a dedicated sports medicine program, cardiac services, robotic, laparoscopic and general surgery and emergency treatment.
Lancaster Medical Center is an Accredited Chest Pain Center as designated by the American College of Cardiology, as well as a Primary Stroke Center as designated by the Joint Commission.
Both of these accreditations demonstrate Lancaster Medical Center’s commitment to the highest standards in the country in the areas of stroke and cardiac care.
MUSC Health — Lancaster Medical Center is also designated a Baby-Friendly hospital by Baby Friendly USA, currently one of only 20 in South Carolina.
