A medical lighting system is provided using electrodeless metal halide lamps and fiber optic light pipes to provide illumination to a plurality of medical appliances from a remote light source. In a first embodiment, multiple surgical lightheads and light utility outlets are illuminated from a remote lighting source. The single light source is further used in conjunction with multiple surgical lightheads, light utility outlets, and surgical task lights in operating or examination rooms. In a further embodiment, a remote metal halide lamp provides task lighting to an examination room in combination with standard incandescent ambient lighting. In further embodiments, multiple operating and/or examination rooms are supported by a single remote light source. By locating the light source remote from the end light consumers and providing optical fibers therebetween reduced size, heating, and other benefits are enabled in medical examination or operating rooms.