News Article

Quarterly transformation update: Designing healthcare experiences around the needs of our communities

Healthcare begins with people, and the environments where care is delivered should be designed with them in mind. Across Ascension, investments in care spaces are creating more connected and accessible experiences for patients, communities, and care teams. From hospitals to emergency departments to family-centered spaces, these efforts are caring for people where and how they need it most.

These investments go beyond new facilities and renovations. They represent a long-term strategy to strengthen the foundation of care by expanding access, improving operational efficiency, and enabling more coordinated, connected care.

“These investments are about seeing our facilities evolve alongside the needs of our communities while supporting the doctors, nurses, and care teams who deliver care every day,” said Sally Deitch, Executive Vice President, Nursing and Operations Infrastructure at Ascension. “Thoughtfully designed care environments strengthen collaboration, improve clinical workflows, and empower our caregivers to provide high-quality, compassionate care while creating a more seamless experience for patients and families.”

This work is about more than modernizing care environments. It shapes not only how care is administered, but how patients and their loved ones experience it. 

“Healthcare is, and always has been, the ultimate people business,” said Carol Campbell, Senior Vice President and Chief Experience Officer at Ascension. “The environments where patients receive care shape their experience from the moment they walk through our doors. Every investment we make is designed to make care more seamless, more comfortable, and more supportive for patients and their loved ones while reflecting the caliber of care our teams provide every day.”

As Montgomery County continues to grow, Ascension Saint Thomas is expanding access to comprehensive care closer to home. The new $148.5 million integrated health campus in Clarksville will create a connected healthcare destination informed by extensive listening sessions with patients, residents, community leaders, and local officials.

The 96-acre campus will bring hospital services, emergency care, maternity care, surgery, cardiology, and community health resources together in one location, reducing the need for patients and their families to travel to Nashville for advanced care. Beyond improving convenience and continuity for patients, the development will strengthen the local healthcare ecosystem through partnerships with Montgomery County EMS, community providers, local businesses, and new job opportunities.

As Central Texas continues to grow, Ascension Seton is transforming the women’s health experience with the opening of a new $362 million Ascension Seton Women’s Hospital — a purpose-built destination designed to support women and families through every stage of life.

The 326,000-square-foot, 178-bed hospital expands access to specialized women’s and maternal healthcare while creating a more personalized, family-centered experience. Designed around patients’ physical, emotional, and clinical needs, the facility combines expanded capabilities with thoughtful spaces that promote comfort, connection, and confidence.

By bringing comprehensive women’s services, expanded maternal care, neonatal support, and surgical capabilities together in one environment, the hospital reflects Ascension Seton’s commitment to delivering care that meets the clinical needs and that is also deeply personal. The facility also honors the legacy of the Daughters of Charity and St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, whose commitment to caring for others continues to inspire Ascension’s Mission.

Ascension St. Vincent’s new $15 million freestanding emergency department expands neighborhood access to lifesaving services and helps ensure patients receive care faster when every minute matters.

Designed to serve a rapidly growing community, the 24/7 emergency facility provides expanded imaging, laboratory services, and treatment capabilities for more than 16,000 patients annually. By bringing emergency expertise closer to where people live, work, and raise their families, the facility reduces barriers to care while creating a more convenient and compassionate experience for Jacksonville’s Southside community.

As western Williamson County grows, Ascension Saint Thomas is partnering with Dickson Medical Associates (DMA) to expand access to critical healthcare services in Fairview. This $20.6 million development will establish the community’s first dedicated 24-hour emergency department.

Located alongside DMA’s planned outpatient medical facility, the integrated campus will create a more connected care experience by bringing emergency, diagnostic, and medical services closer to residents. The project will help reduce travel times for urgent care, improve access to lifesaving treatment, and support the community through new healthcare jobs.

As demand for behavioral health services continues to rise across southeastern Wisconsin, Ascension Wisconsin is expanding access to comprehensive mental healthcare with a $10 million investment in a newly renovated behavioral health center at Ascension St. Francis Hospital.

The 12,000-square-foot transformation establishes a regional center of excellence for behavioral health, increasing inpatient capacity by 36 beds and creating dedicated space to serve adults and children with complex behavioral health and medical needs. By integrating mental and physical healthcare in one setting, the expanded center helps address critical gaps in access while providing a more connected care experience.

The new facility is expected to serve an additional 1,000 patients in its first year, strengthening Ascension’s commitment to meeting the growing behavioral health needs of the communities it serves.

Ascension Via Christi is expanding access to emergency care on Wichita’s growing east side with a new $16.7 million freestanding emergency department designed to bring high-quality care closer to families.

Strategically located to reduce travel times during urgent moments, the facility will provide 24/7 emergency services, expanded imaging, and onsite diagnostics for more than 10,000 patients each year. With seamless secure connections enabling the local providers to consult with providers in Ascension Via Christi’s hospital campuses, the new ER strengthens the local care network and ensures patients receive timely treatment close to home.

To meet the needs of one of Florida’s fastest-growing communities, Ascension St. Vincent’s St. Johns County is expanding access to compassionate maternity care with a new $31 million Family Birth Place.

The 27,000-square-foot expansion will create a more personalized healing environment with private delivery suites, family-centered spaces, and a Level II NICU to support newborns requiring additional care. By bringing expanded maternity services closer to home, the expansion helps families remain connected to their community during some of life’s most meaningful moments.

Recent National News
Ascension nursing closes skin tone pressure injury disparity to 0%, releases fiscal year 2026 research impact metrics
News Articles

Ascension nursing closes skin tone pressure injury disparity to 0%, releases fiscal year 2026 research impact metrics

Driven by evidence-based nursing practices and a systemwide commitment to quality and safety, Ascension has achieved a 0% outcome gap in severe, hospital-acquired pressure injuries between patients with light and dark skin tones, according to newly released fiscal year 2026 data.
Delivering dignity and care through Community Health Ministries
News Articles

Delivering dignity and care through Community Health Ministries

This National Health Center Week, Ascension celebrates our Community Health Ministries (CHMs) for expanding access to care in the communities they serve.
How Ascension is investing in imaging to expand access, strengthen clinical capabilities, and support faster diagnoses
News Articles

How Ascension is investing in imaging to expand access, strengthen clinical capabilities, and support faster diagnoses

Ascension’s imaging strategy builds on a broad foundation of scale, clinical excellence, and community reach.