MURFREESBORO, TN (WGNS) - Just over three years after launching its open‑heart surgery program, Ascension Saint Thomas Rutherford has reached a milestone that speaks volumes about both community need and clinical growth: the completion of its 1,000th cardiac surgery. It’s a number that represents far more than procedures—it reflects lives changed, families supported, and advanced heart care delivered right here in Rutherford County.
Hospital leaders, clinicians, and support staff gathered this week to celebrate the achievement and recognize the team whose skill and collaboration have built one of Middle Tennessee’s fastest‑growing cardiovascular surgery programs.
Ascension Saint Thomas Rutherford's President and CEO Daphne David said, "The milestone is rooted in people, not numbers. Reaching 1,000 heart surgeries reflects the extraordinary dedication of our surgeons, our cardiac anesthesiologist, nurses and caregivers who built this program from the ground up. More importantly, it represents 1,000 patients and families who were able to receive highly specialized, life‑saving care close to home.”
The hospital launched its open‑heart program in April 2023 following a more than $5.6 million investment aimed at expanding access to advanced cardiovascular care in Murfreesboro. In just over three years, that investment has grown into a comprehensive surgical service that allows patients to stay in Rutherford County rather than traveling to Nashville or beyond for complex heart procedures.
That momentum paved the way for the hospital’s Structural Heart program, which now offers transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) and left atrial appendage (LAA) procedures—minimally invasive options for patients with aortic stenosis, atrial fibrillation, and other structural heart conditions. Ascension Saint Thomas is also expanding cardiovascular services through its developing Westlawn campus, further strengthening access across the region.
Cardiovascular Surgeon Dr. Wilson Clements said, "Providing care close to home makes a meaningful difference. Heart surgery is one of the most difficult moments a patient and family can face. Recovering with the support of family while receiving high‑quality surgical care truly matters.”
Clements and fellow surgeon Dr. Aaron Hoffman now perform surgeries side‑by‑side, offering a full spectrum of cardiovascular procedures locally.
Hoffman said, "The program has reshaped what’s possible for patients in Rutherford County. We can now provide comprehensive heart care from diagnosis through surgery and recovery without asking patients to leave home. That continuity strengthens the care we deliver across the region.”
As Rutherford County continues to grow, Clements said the hospital remains committed to expanding access to advanced cardiovascular care. “It is an honor to care for patients during some of the most critical moments of their lives,” he said. “We’re dedicated to ensuring more patients can receive exceptional heart care close to home.”
About Ascension Saint Thomas Rutherford
Ascension Saint Thomas Rutherford in Murfreesboro is a nationally recognized regional referral center providing advanced specialty care, including heart and vascular, orthopedics, maternity and women's health, cancer care, and emergency services. The hospital delivers more babies and performs more joint replacements than any other facility in the region.
Ascension Saint Thomas is a faith-based, nonprofit health system serving Middle Tennessee through 18 hospitals and more than 320 sites of care across 45 counties. Part of Ascension,
one of the nation's largest Catholic health systems, Ascension Saint Thomas is committed to delivering compassionate, personalized care with special attention to those most vulnerable. Learn more at ascension.org.
