RUTHERFORD COUNTY, TN – Ascension Saint Thomas Rutherford has officially opened the doors to its new Women’s Heart Clinic, marking a significant step forward in specialized cardiovascular care for women in Middle Tennessee. The grand opening, held this past week in Murfreesboro, welcomed in a focus on prevention, early detection, and treatment of heart disease in women of all ages.

The clinic, located at Ascension Saint Thomas Rutherford Hospital (1700 Medical Center Parkway), is led by Dr. Nishtha Sareen, MD, MPH, a nationally recognized expert in women’s cardiovascular health. Recently, the doctor told WGNS some of her early motivation before being named to the role…Dr. Sareen is the Medical Director for the Women’s Heart Program and emphasizes the importance of personalized, compassionate care, especially in how heart disease presents differently in women compared to men.

The Ascension Saint Thomas Heart Women’s Program focuses on prevention, early detection, and treatment of heart disease in women of all ages. The team is trained in the unique risks, symptoms, and treatment options relevant to female patients, offering a multidisciplinary approach to heart care. “Heart disease is the leading cause of death for women, but many don’t realize that their symptoms can be very different from men’s,” Dr. Sareen explained. The new clinic brings targeted, expert care closer to home for women in Rutherford County and beyond.

• PODCAST: Hear a full interview with Dr. Nishtha Sareen, who is leading the New Women’s Heart Clinic that Brings Specialized Cardiac Care to Rutherford County by CLICKING HERE (Take-in all the highlights in our 16-minute Podcast).

The opening of the Women’s Heart Clinic follows a series of major expansions at Ascension Saint Thomas Rutherford. In February, the hospital completed a $42 million Critical Care Unit expansion, adding 18 adult critical care beds and increasing total licensed beds to 418. The upgrade also included a new ambulance bay to enhance emergency response.

As Rutherford County continues to grow—adding more than 9,000 residents in 2024 alone—Ascension Saint Thomas has invested over $600 million in the region since relocating the hospital to its current site in 2010. The system now employs 1,800 staff members and over 350 physicians, serving not only Murfreesboro, but surrounding counties like Bedford, Coffee, and Warren.

Patients interested in learning more or scheduling an appointment with the Women’s Heart Clinic can call 615-284-4HER (615-284-4437).