MURFREESBORO, Tenn. (WGNS News) - Ascension Saint Thomas Rutherford is celebrating a landmark 100th anniversary, honoring a legacy of compassionate healthcare in Rutherford County that traces its origins back to 1927. The centennial milestone arrives during a period of record growth for the health system, which projects it will treat more than 100,000 emergency room patients across its main campus and Westlawn facility by the end of the current fiscal year.

Reflecting on the hospital's evolution from its former footprint as Middle Tennessee Medical Center in downtown Murfreesboro to its modern medical center campus, hospital leadership highlighted the continuous efforts required to keep pace with the region's rapidly swelling population. When the Medical Center Parkway location opened 16-years ago, it was designed for 218 beds. Fast forward to today, they are topping 500 beds. Daphne David, CEO of Ascension Saint Thomas Rutherford, said one of their most recent additions is for post surgery care... David said their goal is to ensure they understand the needs of the community and to proactively meet those needs, which is why they added the additional beds for post-anesthesia care.

As Ascension Saint Thomas Rutherford enters its second century of service, health system leaders re-affirmed their commitment to expanding specialized clinical programs, broadening emergency access points, and delivering state-of-the-art care to the residents of Middle Tennessee...

Again, Ascension Saint Thomas Rutherford is approaching its 100th anniversary, tracing its roots back to the opening of the original Rutherford Hospital in 1927.

• Hear our most recent Podcast, featuring Daphne David, CEO of Ascension Saint Thomas Rutherford, alongside Dr. Robert A. Bass, M.D., M.B.A., a board-certified urologist with Middle Tennessee Urology Specialists who brings more than 20 years of clinical experience specializing in robotic surgery, kidney stones, and men's health. Click HERE to Listen.