Last month, Saint Thomas Health filed a Certificate of Need application to expand services in order to meet anticipated healthcare needs of the growing Rutherford County population. Pending approval from the state's Health Services and Development Agency (HSDA), Saint Thomas Rutherford Hospital plans to add 72 inpatient beds and additional capacity for outpatient services, at a project cost of more than $55 million.

Additionally, based on the community's utilization of the Saint Thomas Medical Partners - New Salem care center, Saint Thomas Health filed a separate CON application for investing in a $16.2 million surgery center to better meet current and future outpatient needs.

These planned developments in Rutherford County are part of Saint Thomas Health's broader strategy to meet the needs of patients where they live and work. Hearings on both projects will be conducted in October.