Laboratory Corporation of America (LH) 10-K 2010 FY Annual report

Exhibit 24.5

POWER OF ATTORNEY

     KNOWN ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned hereby constitutes and appoints F. Samuel Eberts III his true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, with full power of substitution, for him and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, in connection with the Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings (the “Corporation”) Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, including, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, to sign the Form 10-K in the name and on behalf of the Corporation or on behalf of the undersigned as a director or officer of the Corporation, and any amendments to the Form 10-K and any instrument, contract, document or other writing, of or in connection with the Form 10-K or ame ndments thereto, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, including this power of attorney, with the Securities and Exchange Commission and any applicable securities exchange or securities self-regulatory body, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, each acting alone, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorney-in-fact and agents, each acting alone, or his substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has signed these presents in the City of Burlington, North Carolina this 9th day of February, 2011.

By:	/s/ WENDY E. LANE
	Wendy E. Lane