MURFREESBORO, TN (WGNS) - At 4:00 o’clock Friday afternoon (7/17/2026), the third floor of Ascension Saint Thomas Rutherford Hospital was buzzing—every chair filled, it was standing room only as community supporters gathered for the Blessing Ceremony marking the completion of the hospital’s newest obstetrics expansion.
Neonatologist Dr. Jason Parker opened the ceremony with reflections, scripture, and prayer, setting a warm tone for the special community event.
Turner Construction Company wrapped up the $37‑plus‑million project with major support from the Christy‑Houston Foundation, creating a modern, welcoming space designed for families beginning their stories in Rutherford County.
Hospital President and CEO Daphne David spoke about the heart behind the expansion, noting that one out of every three babies born in Middle Tennessee last year took their first breath at an Ascension Saint Thomas hospital. “As our community grows, so does our commitment to providing an exceptional birth experience,” she said.
The new third‑floor space includes 13 postpartum suites and a satellite nursery with 10 bassinets—each room crafted to elevate comfort, care, and family‑centered support.
A powerful thread running through the ceremony was the legacy of the late Dr. Jim Boerner, an obstetrician‑gynecologist whose influence shaped generations of families in Middle Tennessee. Dr. Boerner delivered more than 10,000 babies and served as Chairman of the hospital’s Foundation Board, but his story also holds a remarkable place in local medical history. He delivered the final baby born at the old Middle Tennessee Medical Center on Highland Avenue—and, in a twist that still gives people goosebumps, hours later, he delivered the very first baby at the new Medical Center Parkway campus in 2010.
Following his passing from COVID‑19 complications in 2021, the hospital moved to permanently honor his legacy. The Women’s Care expansion now bears the names of Dr. Boerner and his wife, Sydney, and features the iconic photo of him holding the newborn who symbolized the hospital’s transition from old to new. The image now serves as a centerpiece tribute, anchoring the state‑of‑the‑art facility to its roots. Sydney was honored at the blessing’s celebration.
(L-R photo ID) Daphne David, Bill Jones, and Ann Davis
Christy-Houston Foundation President Anne Davis and Board Chair Sumner Bouldin share the foundation’s history, noting a $6 million gift for this project.
The ceremony concluded with scripture and prayer led by Chaplain Kari Godwin‑Grimes and Father Ben Butler, followed by a ribbon cutting with Rutherford County Chamber of Commerce President Paul Latture. Among those attending was Gordon B. Ferguson, the President and CEO who championed the hospital’s relocation and oversaw the massive 2010 opening that included a new helipad, advanced tech suites, and 120,000 square feet of medical office space.
The old hospital on N. Highland Ave. closed on Oct. 2, 2010, with 215 beds and flawlessly transitioned into the modern new campus with 286 patient beds. Ascension Saint Thomas Rutherford Hospital now operates with 418 beds.
Friday’s blessing ceremony wasn’t just about new rooms, it was about honoring the past, celebrating the present, and welcoming the thousands of families who will begin their stories on the third floor in the years ahead.
