Just over three years after launching its open heart surgery program, Ascension Saint Thomas Rutherford has completed its 1,000th cardiac surgery, a milestone that reflects the rapid growth of the program and expands access to advanced cardiovascular care close to home for patients across Rutherford County and surrounding communities.
Hospital leaders, clinicians and support staff gathered to celebrate the achievement and recognize the entire team whose expertise and collaboration have helped build one of Middle Tennessee's fastest-growing cardiovascular surgery programs.
"Reaching 1,000 heart surgeries reflects the extraordinary dedication of our surgeons, our cardiac anesthesiologist, nurses and caregivers who built this program from the ground up," said Daphne David, president and CEO of Ascension Saint Thomas Rutherford. "More importantly, it represents 1,000 patients and families who were able to receive highly specialized, life-saving care close to home, surrounded by the people who matter most."
Ascension Saint Thomas Rutherford launched its open heart surgery program in April 2023 following a more than $5.6 million investment to expand access to advanced cardiovascular care in Murfreesboro. In just over three years, the program has grown into a comprehensive cardiovascular surgery service, allowing patients to receive life-saving heart care close to home.
That success led to the launch of the hospital's Structural Heart program, bringing transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) and left atrial appendage (LAA) procedures to Rutherford County and expanding minimally invasive treatment options for patients with aortic stenosis, atrial fibrillation and other structural heart conditions. Building on that momentum, Ascension Saint Thomas continues to invest in cardiovascular care through the development of its Westlawn campus, further expanding access to cardiology services across Rutherford County and the surrounding region.
"Heart surgery is one of the most difficult moments a patient and family can face," said Dr. Wilson Clements, a cardiovascular surgeon with Ascension Saint Thomas Rutherford. "Providing that care close to home allows patients to recover with the support of family while receiving the same high-quality surgical care they would expect. That makes a tremendous difference during an already stressful time."
Today, Clements performs surgeries alongside cardiovascular surgeon Dr. Aaron Hoffman. Together, the team has transformed access to specialized heart care by providing comprehensive cardiovascular surgery services locally, reducing the need for patients to travel outside Rutherford County for treatment while continuing to expand the scope and complexity of procedures offered.
"The addition of cardiovascular surgery has changed what is possible for patients in this community," Hoffman said. "We can now provide comprehensive heart care from diagnosis through surgery and recovery without asking patients to leave home. That continuity of care improves the patient experience and strengthens the level of care we can provide across the region."
Clements said the milestone reflects both the rapid growth of the program and the hospital's long-term commitment to serving one of Tennessee's fastest-growing communities.
"It is an honor to care for patients during some of the most critical moments of their lives," Clements said. "As Rutherford County continues to grow, we are committed to expanding access to advanced cardiovascular care, advancing our program and ensuring more patients can receive exceptional heart care close to home."
