Ascension Saint Thomas Rutherford has launched its new Structural Heart and Valve Center, expanding access to advanced cardiovascular care for residents of Rutherford County. The new program provides life-saving treatment options locally, reducing the need for patients to travel outside the region for specialized care.
This launch marks a significant milestone in the hospital’s ongoing investment in cardiovascular services. Following the recent expansion of interventional cardiac catheterization and outpatient cardiac imaging, the program introduced open-heart surgery in 2023 and has since completed more than 725 successful procedures. The addition of structural heart care further reinforces the hospital’s position as a leader in heart care in Middle Tennessee.
Structural heart procedures are treatments that address defects or abnormalities in the heart’s structure, including the valves, walls, chambers, or vessels, rather than the coronary arteries (which are treated in traditional interventional cardiology).
These procedures typically require specialist referrals and travel, and are now available close to home at the Rutherford hospital. This expansion supports the community hospital model by placing critical specialty care within reach of patients and families in the area.
The center is led by a team of experts, including cardiothoracic surgeons Dr. Wilson Clements and Dr. Aaron Hoffman, along with Dr. Soubhi Azzouz, a fellowship-trained interventional and structural cardiologist who recently joined Ascension Saint Thomas Heart from Intermountain Health at St. Mary’s Regional Hospital in Grand Junction, Colorado. Under their leadership, the center will offer advanced treatments such as transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR), left atrial appendage closure with devices like WATCHMAN™, and other minimally invasive valve repair and replacement procedures.
“Bringing this level of care to our community is part of our mission to deliver high-quality, evidence-based treatment close to home,” said Daphne David, president and CEO for Ascension Saint Thomas Rutherford. “Patients can now access procedures once only available by traveling to our hospital in Nashville, right here in Rutherford County.”
The new center aligns with nationally recognized clinical pathways developed at Ascension Saint Thomas Hospital West, ensuring continuity of care and strong patient outcomes. The program’s design also prioritizes seamless access and coordination across multidisciplinary teams, from diagnosis through rehabilitation.
Ascension Saint Thomas continues to grow its services in Murfreesboro to meet the evolving needs of the region. The launch of the Structural Heart and Valve Center reflects the system’s commitment to innovation, excellence, and advanced care for the communities it serves.
