Originally published in Thompson’s Station Lifestyle —

Williamson Health isn’t just a name.

It’s a constant reminder of the regional health system’s mission and purpose: to serve the people of Williamson County and the surrounding areas. As Williamson Health grows alongside the community, that mission drives its commitment to invest in the region through access to care, facility upgrades, innovative technologies, and dedicated, award-winning service.

“Williamson Health exists to meet the healthcare needs of our community,” said Phil Mazzuca, Williamson Health CEO. “And as our community grows, Williamson Health will continue evolving to provide the most advanced, high-quality and compassionate care right here in Williamson County.”

Part of that commitment is the $200 million expansion and renovation project currently underway at Williamson Medical Center (WMC), the system’s flagship acute care hospital. Touching nearly every area of the hospital, the project includes improvements to Labor and Delivery, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), Cardiology, Emergency Department, Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and more.

Construction began two years ago, and has already reached several milestones:

• A new heart catheterization lab
• Two phases of the Emergency Department expansion which include several new exam rooms; the addition of a secure, flex pod for patients requiring additional privacy and/or security; and a larger, modernized waiting room
• A newly expanded Obstetrics Unit, including 11 new postpartum rooms, nine renovated labor and delivery rooms, a spacious new newborn nursery, dedicated education space and a new registration area

Williamson Health officials expect to celebrate the completion of the West Tower expansion in coming months, with a grand opening event scheduled for June 18, 2024.

The West Tower project will add a brand-new six-floor wing and three additional floors to the original West Tower. Remaining updates will include:

• Final renovations to the Adult Emergency Department, increasing it from 28 to 43 beds
• Renovation of the original Obstetrics & NICU space, bringing the total number of beds to 34, and including a new NICU with nine private bays for additional space and privacy for families as well as an additional C-section room
• A new electrophysiology (EP) lab, a second new cardiac catheterization lab, and a dedicated pre- and post-procedure area to complete the new Heart Center
• A new 35-bed ICU and Intermediate Care Unit (IMCU) with a spacious waiting area dedicated to the ICU
• Two new 36-bed, spacious inpatient medical surgical floors and more

Once the West Tower is complete, the final phase of the project will be renovating patient rooms and additional areas in the original Main Tower of the original hospital to create more modern spaces for patients and their families.

The construction at WMC is an obvious symbol of growth, but Williamson Health has also been investing in the community through more than 30 locations throughout the county. These include Bone and Joint Institute of Tennessee orthopaedic urgent care clinics and rehabilitation services, numerous Williamson Health Medical Group physician practices, 18 Emergency Medical Services (EMS) rapid response units, outpatient laboratory and imaging services, and multiple joint-venture Vanderbilt Health and Williamson Medical Center Walk-In Clinics.

Mazzuca explains that “sometimes access to world class care comes by way of our innovative, highly skilled and nationally recognized EMS organization that proudly serves the entire county.” Williamson Health EMS serves as the primary 911 provider for all of Williamson County, running 18 Advanced Life Support ambulances 365 days a year from 17 stations. In 2023 Williamson Health EMS responded to over 22,000 calls.

“The rapid growth across the community not only increases volume overall, but it can also quickly shift overall demands to areas of the community not previously impacted,” says Michael Wallace, Williamson Health EMS Chief. “Staying on top of all these factors helps us to plan for new needs as well as the infrastructure and resources necessary to support them in the most effective way possible.”

Williamson Health’s EMS presence in the community extends beyond more than just 911 responses as EMS personnel spend more than 2,100 hours each year supporting community events such as the Franklin Rodeo, the Williamson County Fair, Pilgrimage and other local festivals, school sporting events and more.

Known for outstanding care — Williamson Health is a five-time recipient of the Tennessee EMS Region Five “Star of Life” award, garnered seven Women’s Choice Awards in 2024, and was named one of Newsweek’s World’s Best Hospitals in 2023, among other awards — the healthcare system is also growing to meet the community’s expanding needs.

With more than 2,100 employees across more than 30 locations and more than 860 physicians and advanced care practitioners, Williamson Health offers exceptional care to our community.