Transforming Healthcare for Clarksville and Montgomery County

Ascension Saint Thomas is planning a new, full-service hospital that will anchor a growing, community-centered health system in Clarksville

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Hospital building rendering

This new hospital will serve as the cornerstone of a growing, community-centered health system. Located on a 96-acre site at the intersection of Highway 76 and Interstate 24, the hospital will include 44 inpatient beds, with the capacity to expand to 132 beds in the future, and will be supported by an integrated health campus designed to transform healthcare in the region.

The hospital and campus will feature:

  • Emergency care, inpatient surgery, cardiology, oncology, women’s health, neonatal intensive care (NICU), orthopaedics, and other key specialties
  • Outpatient surgery, advanced imaging, and other ambulatory and outpatient services to support seamless care coordination
  • Space to grow as the community’s needs evolve

We will invest a projected $148.5 million to create this new hospital, expected to generate 250 new healthcare jobs, dedicated to meeting the community’s needs now and well into the future.

Meeting Healthcare Needs Closer to Home
 Woman with cancer speaks with her doctor. Montgomery County is one of the fastest-growing counties in the state, with thousands of people—particularly families—moving to the community each year. As this area continues to grow, residents need and deserve more choice and better access to high-quality, innovative healthcare in their own backyard.

Ascension Saint Thomas is ready to fulfill that need. Our vision is to build a full-service hospital at the center of a larger, integrated health system that brings our legacy of nationally recognized care, advanced technology, and essential services directly to the community, offering more options where people live and work.

Today, many residents travel 50 miles or more to Nashville to receive care. Accessing trusted, high-quality healthcare shouldn’t require a road trip. This new hospital will give the Clarksville community more choices, greater convenience, and faith-based care right here at home.

Alongside expanded healthcare access, this project is expected to deliver a strong boost to the local economy through millions in new investment and the creation of approximately 250 new healthcare jobs.

Our Vision for the Future
For 127 years, Ascension Saint Thomas has proudly cared for patients across Middle Tennessee, including the Clarksville and Montgomery County communities. Since opening our first local site in 2005, we've expanded to 14 care locations across the community. Today, we’re deepening that commitment to the future of healthcare in Clarksville by building a connected health system that grows alongside the region.

This hospital will serve as the cornerstone of a broader vision for a comprehensive, community-centered health system that integrates inpatient care, ambulatory services, and expanded outpatient specialty services. Our goal is to provide a seamless experience across every stage of life, ensuring that no one is left without the care they need.

Together, these resources will increase access, connect urban and rural communities, and reflect the values of the people it's built to serve.

With more than 13,000 team members and 4,000+ providers across 300+ care sites across 45 Tennessee counties, Ascension Saint Thomas connects communities like Clarksville to statewide expertise, without sacrificing personalized, local access.

What Comes Next
We have officially initiated the formal state process to bring a new healthcare facility to the Clarksville community. This begins with the submission of a Letter of Intent to the Tennessee Health Facilities Commission, signaling our plan to apply for a Certificate of Need, an essential step before new healthcare services can be developed. Our application is now entering a formal review phase, which includes a public hearing on July 23. This hearing offers a meaningful opportunity for local residents to share feedback and express support.

This marks a major milestone in a multi-phase process that will include substantial community engagement, physician insight, public input, and regulatory review. We deeply value this input and are committed to a transparent and inclusive process that ensures the new facility truly meets the needs of the Clarksville community.

For questions or comments about the project, please reach out to us at clarksville@ascension.org.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is happening?

    • Ascension Saint Thomas has officially begun the process to build a new, full-service hospital in Clarksville. We’ve submitted a Letter of Intent to apply for a Certificate of Need (CON), an early step required by the State of Tennessee before developing new healthcare services.
    • We plan to build a 44-bed acute care hospital that will anchor a comprehensive health system serving Clarksville, Montgomery County, and the surrounding region.

  • Why are you doing this in Clarksville?

    • Clarksville is one of the fastest-growing areas in the state, with rising demand for high-quality, local healthcare options.
    • Many patients currently leave the area to receive care, particularly for surgery, hospitalization, or maternity services, a clear sign that the community needs more high-quality, local options.
    • Patients and families deserve more options, closer to home. This hospital will help meet those evolving needs today and into the future.

  • Isn’t there already a hospital in Clarksville? Why does the city need a new one?

    • Today, two out of every three Montgomery County patients who need surgery choose to leave the community for care. Nearly half of hospitalizations and births also happen outside the county.
    • This new hospital will offer a trusted, high-quality alternative, expanding local access and keeping care local.

  • Where will the new hospital campus be located?

    • The campus will be situated on a site near the intersection of Highway 76 and Interstate 24 in Clarksville.

  • Why Ascension Saint Thomas?

    • Ascension Saint Thomas has served residents of Clarksville and Montgomery County for generations, and has had sites of care in the community since 2005.
    • We currently provide care in Clarksville through physician partnerships, urgent care, outpatient centers, and specialty services, and are expanding that commitment with this new campus.
    • As a not-for-profit, faith-based ministry, we are focused on healing with compassion as our highest priority. Our model ensures that revenue is reinvested in our communities to improve care, support local programs, and expand access.
    • We have a strong track record of bringing care closer to home for patients across Tennessee, connecting communities like Clarksville to statewide expertise, without sacrificing local access.

  • What is a Certificate of Need? What does this process look like?

    • Before a new hospital can be developed, the State of Tennessee must issue a Certificate of Need to determine whether additional healthcare services are truly necessary in a specific area.
    • The process includes public input, state review, and a hearing before the Tennessee Health Facilities Commission.
    • It ensures that new healthcare services align with local needs for high-quality care options and improve access to essential services.

  • What services will this hospital offer?

    • The new facility will provide emergency care, inpatient services, cardiology, oncology, women’s health, neonatal intensive care (NICU), orthopedics, and more, right here in Clarksville.

  • What services will be part of the larger healthcare campus?

    • The hospital is part of a broader healthcare vision that includes outpatient surgery, physical therapy, advanced imaging, multi-specialty clinics and other ambulatory services.
    • Together, these offerings will create a connected, patient-centered system designed to support every stage of life, ensuring no one is left without the care they need.

  • What is the timeline for building the new hospital?

    • We expect the Certificate of Need process to conclude later this summer. If approved, we’ll begin planning, site development, and then construction.
    • We are committed to transparency, partnership, and keeping the community informed every step of the way.

  • Will the community have a voice in the process?

    • Yes. We are committed to working closely with local leaders, healthcare providers and community members throughout every stage of development, ensuring it reflects the values, needs and priorities of the people it’s built to serve.
    • There will be opportunities to share feedback, including official public comments at the Healthcare Facilities Commission hearing on July 23.
    • For questions or comments, please email us at clarksville@ascension.org.

  • Will the new hospital offer charity care?

    • Yes, as a not-for-profit, faith-based ministry, Ascension Saint Thomas is called to serve and care for all, regardless of their ability to pay.

  • Will Clarksville/Montgomery County taxpayer funds be used to build this hospital?

    • No. This project will be fully financed by Ascension Saint Thomas.
  • Do you accept TRICARE insurance?

    Yes. Ascension Saint Thomas accepts TRICARE insurance and is honored to provide excellent healthcare services for our military families.

  • How can I find out about career opportunities with Ascension Saint Thomas?

    We are not yet hiring for positions at the new hospital, as we are still in the early stages of the state approval process. Once the project receives approval and we move closer to construction, we’ll begin hiring for a wide range of roles. In the meantime, we encourage you to explore current career opportunities within the Ascension Saint Thomas network across Middle Tennessee by visiting https://jobs.ascension.org/us/en/tennessee.

  • What comes next?

    • Our application will move into a formal review process with the State of Tennessee.
    • A public hearing will follow on July 23, and if the Certificate of Need is approved, we’ll proceed with a collaborative design and development process, working with the community, local physicians, and public officials to shape a healthcare system that meets regional needs.