First Lexington Medical Center CEO receives Order of the Palmetto

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The first president and CEO of Lexington Medical Center is being honored with the Order of the Palmetto.

Gov. Henry McMaster presented George Rentz with the state’s highest civilian honor in a ceremony at the hospital Thursday, according a news release from Lexington Medical Center. The Order of the Palmetto recognizes citizens for extraordinary lifetime achievement and service to South Carolina.

Rentz began his role with Lexington Medical Center in 1968, three years before the hospital opened. He gathered community support for the medical center through more than 300 speeches he gave throughout the Midlands, according to the release.

As Lexington Medical Center opened in 1971, Rentz continued to acquire property throughout Lexington County to accommodate future growth. Rentz was instrumental in establishing community medical centers throughout Lexington County to provide residents better access to health care.

Rentz retired from Lexington Medical Center in 1988. The decorated World War II veteran was a paratrooper during the Battle of the Bulge and received a Purple Heart. Rentz also served the community through his church and the Boy Scouts.

“As the first administrator of Lexington Medical Center, Mr. Rentz laid the foundation for delivering the best health care to the people of Lexington County and the Midlands,” Tod Augsburger, current president and CEO of Lexington Medical Center, said in the news release.