The organization of a new heart surgery center is underway now in Murfreesboro. If everything continues to go as planned, a finely tuned team of doctors, nurses and surgeons will open the new Cardiac Surgery Program on the second floor of Ascension Saint Thomas Rutherford Hospital in Murfreesboro. That new office should be ready for patients within about 12 to 18-months.

After Saint Thomas hires new staff for the cardiology program and completes the installation new equipment, surgeons will be able to perform open-heart surgery in Murfreesboro, as opposed to patients having to drive to Nashville or other larger cities for similar procedures.

The Cardiac Surgery Program will be the first of its kind in the Murfreesboro area. In fact, outside of Nashville – the closest city to offer a similar surgery program that allows for open-heart surgery is in Chattanooga.

More Details: Ascension Saint Thomas Heart Chief of Cardiac Surgery Evelio Rodriguez, MD, noted,  “Currently there is not a cardiac surgery program to serve the growing communities between Murfreesboro and Chattanooga. Ascension Saint Thomas Heart physicians are committed to building a cardiac surgery program that will provide the community with an excellent option for care.”  

A cross-section of state and local elected officials, ministers, individuals representing area medical and financial groups and other citizens filed support for the hospital’s request. CLICK HERE to see the letters 

WGNS will keep you informed on the timeline for the new Cardiac Surgery Program to open in Rutherford County, TN.