Ascension Saint Thomas Rutherford Hospital has broadened its reach in fast-growing southwest Murfreesboro with the inauguration of the New Salem Surgery Center. This state-of-the-art facility, a collaboration with Ascension Medical Group and United Surgical Partners International (USPI), is set to deliver accessible and efficient outpatient surgical care to the community. “We’re really excited to be able to use this tool to serve you,” stated Dr. Mark Manwaring, a colon and rectal surgeon with Ascension Medical Group, at the ribbon-cutting event. “We’ll be able to provide compassionate, safe, efficient care close to home.”
New Salem Surgery Center: A Hub for Outpatient Procedures
Located at 2723 New Salem Road, the newly opened center boasts two advanced operating rooms designed for outpatient surgeries, along with a dedicated gastrointestinal (GI) suite for specialized treatments. The two-story building is strategically designed for future expansion, featuring shell space ready for an additional operating room and GI suite to meet the growing demands of the community. Furthermore, the second floor provides office spaces for physicians, enhancing the center’s comprehensive service offerings. This $16 million investment underscores Ascension Saint Thomas’s commitment to Rutherford County, part of an estimated $500 million dedicated to healthcare projects in the region over the past decade.
Exterior view of Ascension Saint Thomas New Salem Surgery Center, showcasing modern medical facility design and signage.
Ascension Saint Thomas’s dedication to Rutherford County is further exemplified by previous significant investments, including the $1.5 million acquisition of the three-acre property in 2018 and the relocation of the Murfreesboro hospital to Medical Center Parkway in 2010. Ascension Saint Thomas operates an extensive network of 10 hospital campuses across Tennessee, encompassing joint ventures, medical practices, and clinics that serve a vast 68-county area.
Comprehensive Specialties at New Salem
The 13,000-square-foot ambulatory surgical treatment center at New Salem will host a range of key medical specialties. Patients can access services in general surgery, urology, ENT (otolaryngology), and gastroenterology. Additionally, the facility includes an Ascension Medical Group specialty clinic focused on urogynecology, ensuring comprehensive care for a variety of patient needs. This expansion reflects Ascension Saint Thomas’s proactive approach to meeting the diverse healthcare demands of the Murfreesboro community and surrounding areas.
Strategic Partnership for Community Health
The New Salem Surgery Center is a joint venture between Ascension Saint Thomas Rutherford, United Surgical Partners International (USPI), and physician partners. This collaboration leverages the strengths of each entity to create a patient-centric outpatient surgery experience. Kristen O’Connor, Market President of USPI, highlighted the organization’s commitment to providing convenient and safe outpatient surgery options. Gordon Ferguson, president and CEO of Ascension Saint Thomas Rutherford Hospital, emphasized the center’s role in serving a rapidly growing area, noting its improved accessibility and affordability for patients. “It really is an honor and privilege to see this project come to fruition,” Ferguson stated, recognizing the center’s importance to the local healthcare landscape.
Expanding Healthcare Access in Murfreesboro
Beyond the New Salem Surgery Center, Ascension Saint Thomas is further investing in the region with the development of Ascension Saint Thomas Rutherford Westlawn Hospital. This upcoming eight-bed neighborhood hospital in the Blackman area, slated to open by fall 2022, represents a $24.6 million investment. The Westlawn facility will relocate state-approved patient beds from Saint Thomas Rutherford Hospital, which itself underwent an $84 million expansion in 2020, adding 72 beds to its capacity of 358. These strategic expansions demonstrate Ascension Saint Thomas Medical Partners’ ongoing commitment to enhancing healthcare services and accessibility for the Murfreesboro community, ensuring residents have access to high-quality medical care closer to home.
