NASHVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – For the first time in over 70 years, Clarksville will have competition in hospital health care, with the state approving plans for both Ascension Saint Thomas and TriStar to loud applause from over 300 people in attendance at the hearing.
The two hospitals went before the Tennessee Health Facilities Commission requesting Certificates of Need (CONs), amid objections from Clarksville’s only existing hospital, Tennova-Healthcare. Both hospitals were approved in separate votes, 8-0, in a hearing that brought a standing-room-only crowd and over 50 people coming forward to offer public comments.
Following the vote, David Whelan with TriStar told Clarksville Now, “This is super exciting for TriStar to have been approved unanimously, eight votes to none, for our CON application for a brand-new hospital in Clarksville. We’re excited to start our next phase of development, which will be planning the actual construction. So, this gives us that opportunity, we needed that Certificate of Need, so this was a really important milestone for us.”
MORE: Ascension Saint Thomas and TriStar both approved to build hospitals in Clarksville
Fahad Tahir, CEO of Ascension Saint Thomas, said, “I took a moment to pause before the vote to remember all the work that went into today. The best thing we could have imagined was the voice of Clarksville-Montgomery County being heard. People showed up, the community was passionate and vocal and clear with their comments that another hospital was needed. And they had confidence in wanting to choose Ascension Saint Thomas Clarksville Hospital.
“I think the Healthcare Facilities Commission heard that loud, urgent request, and I’m so impressed by the organization, unity and focus of Clarksville. This is a community that knows what it needs and is willing to stand up for it. We’re grateful to bring the Saint Thomas Hospital to the community, and we are honored to be trusted to do so,” Tahir said.
Tennova CEO Drew Emery gave this statement: “Tennova Healthcare-Clarksville has been serving patients in Clarksville and the surrounding area for more than 70 years, and our efforts to increase care in the communities we serve have been constant. Every day, I am inspired by our talented team, and their commitment to delivering safe, quality, compassionate care to every patient. Our priority today and in the future is to meet the healthcare needs of our growing community.”
Reaction from public officials
Several local officials expressed their excitement about the approvals.
County Mayor Wes Golden: “This is huge. We’re so thrilled that the commission saw the need for expanded healthcare in Clarksville-Montgomery County. This is great for our residents, soldiers, veterans and businesses. It’s a huge economic impact for high paying jobs and more options for healthcare, and to keep people from having to drive to Nashville with so many options right there at home.”
City Mayor Joe Pitts: “What made me most proud, today, was to see our City and County, state Legislative delegation, and so many of our residents, unite in one place, under a common cause and purpose. We showed the entire state, and national health care industry, that Clarksville and Montgomery County is built on a legitimately-solid and independent urban foundation that begins with caring people who work together and reach consensus, when it counts. … Ours is a community worthy of the very best that is availed to us, and to all of Clarksville and Montgomery County, I offer my personal and most sincere gratitude for demonstrating this, today.”
EDC CEO Buck Dellinger: “This is a transformative day for Montgomery County and Tennessee. The Commission’s decision to approve both hospital applications recognizes what we’ve known for years: our community of 240,000 residents deserves healthcare infrastructure that matches our economic success. With over $250 million in combined investment and 650+ new healthcare jobs, these hospitals will establish Montgomery County as a regional healthcare hub while giving our families the choices they deserve.”
What’s next for hospitals
As for what happens next with TriStar Clarksville Hospital, Whelan said, “It will depend a little bit on some of the city and county processes. If you want to, call it all design and permitting type processes, doing site work, but we’re really excited for our site in north Clarksville; it’s a very big, flat site with plenty of room. We have our plans already written, so we think it’ll go fast. But for a project that big – a $285 million project that’s over 200,000 square feet – it’ll still take several years before we have a ribbon cutting (ceremony).”
For Ascension Saint Thomas, the next step is gratitude, then a community planning process.
“We’re looking forward to coming to the community to say thank you,” Tahir said. “We’re going to start a series of meetings with community leaders, elected officials and patients in the community, just like everything we’ve done so far, we’re going to build this hospital with and alongside the community … working together to shape and design the vision for the future of healthcare. This is a generational change for healthcare in Clarksville-Montgomery County.”
Chris Smith contributed to this report.
Correction: Clarksville had two hospitals from about 1916 to 1954: Clarksville Hospital and Burt Home Infirmary.
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