The winners of the 2009 Personal Economics Program Award of Excellence top award went to The South Carolina Bankers Associat ion's Young Bankers Division for its efforts to increase financial education in the state of South Carolina. South Carolina's Young Bankers earned this distinction by sharing their financial expertise with more than 59,740 consumers of all ages during 2,891 presentations around the state during the 2008- 09 school year.

Lexington Medical Center's innovative Doula program has won the prestigious Annie Kennedy Award from the Doulas of North America (DONA). The award recognizes LMC doulas for excellence and dedication to their community as well as growth and teamwork in their program. A Doula is a personal birth coach who offers mothers comfort, reassurance, and pain management assistance during labor and delivery. Doulas are with their patients from the moment labor begins until the baby is born.

Travis McCormack, First Citizens Columbia; Br yan McIntyre, First Citizens Columbia; and Elizabeth McMahan,The National Bank of South Carolina aregraduates of the Class of 2009 of the South Carolina Bankers School, hosted by the South Carolina Bankers Association at the Moore School of Business at the University of South Carolina (USC) under the leadership of Chairman R. Scott Plyler, South Atlantic Bank, Myrtle Beach.

Practical Law Company's 2009 Which Lawyer? Yearbook has selected Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough as the only "highly recommended" firm in South Carolina for corporate/ mergers and acquisitions work and names partner Gus Dixon as the only "highly recommended" individual in the field in the state. Columbia Partner Dan Fritze is listed as a "recommended" individual in corporate/m&a work.

The 2010 edition of The Best Lawyers in America has selected four of the Richardson Plowden's attorneys as Best Lawyers: Freder ick A. Crawford, healthcare law; Francis M. Mack, commercial litigation and construction law; Frank E. Robinson II, real estate law; and Franklin J. Smi th J r., construction law.

The University of South Carolina School of Music has named Steve McKeithen as director of athletic bands and assistant director of bands.

Toni Elkins has been selected to represent The Watercolor USA Honor Society in its Japan Exchange for 2010

Chris Halkowitz of Scott McElveen, L.L.P. has been promoted to associate accountant, assurance and advisory services. Chris maintains a professional affiliate membership with the South Carolina Association of Certified Public Accountants (SCACPA).

The Midlands Author ity for Conventions, Sports & Tour ism (MACST) is the recipient of the Information Technology Council's (ITC) Palmetto Pillar Award for Promoting the Region/Visionaries.

Providence Hospitals recently presented employee Ruth Nichols with the hospitals' most prestigious honor, the Servant Award. Established in 2005, the Servant Award recognizes a Providence employee for outstanding, consistent service demonstrating the mission and core values of the hospitals: courage, collaboration, respect, justice, and compassion. The award also defines a servant as someone possessing character traits such as selflessness and forgiveness.

Steve McKeitchen Toni Elkins Chirs Halkowitz Representatives of Lexington Medical Center's Doula Program, (l- r), Arlene Frederick, Marji Pulliam, Krista Strzekzyk, Violet Lindstom, Jean Sternberg, Vicki Tedder, Helen Black, Cindy Kerbs, Jennifer Gatch, Debbie Whetsell, Judy Steinlin, Pamela Sulton, Dianne Pound, and Lib Tuten.