Williamson Health — a regional health system with more than 30 Williamson County locations, including its flagship facility, Williamson Medical Center (WMC) — celebrated the completion of the first phase of its Emergency Room (ER) expansion and renovation with a “Race to the Ribbon” ribbon-cutting event on Wednesday. Local dignitaries including Williamson County Mayor Rogers Anderson; Bo Butler, chair of the Williamson Health Board of Trustees; project capital campaign co-chairs, Vicki McNamara and Caroline Bryan; and celebrity supporters, Luke Bryan and Darrell Waltrip joined Williamson Health CEO Phil Mazzuca in cutting the ribbon at the celebration. The “Race to the Ribbon” theme was a nod to the multi-million-dollar project’s first corporate partner, Darrell Waltrip Automotive Group. Waltrip – named one of NASCAR’s “50 Greatest Drivers” – drove Luke Bryan in a custom-wrapped sports car to the new ER portico where they kicked off the festivities. “This is the first of many milestone moments to come as part of our ongoing transformational expansion and renovation project,” Mazzuca said. “Each phase of this project further strengthens our ability to continue to provide exceptional healthcare to our region in modern, innovative and state-of-the-art facilities. This project demonstrates our commitment to our mission, vision and values in meeting the healthcare needs of Williamson County and the surrounding region now and for years to come.” This first phase of the hospital’s ER expansion and renovation includes:

• New Adult ER entrance;
• Expanded waiting room;
• New registration desk with three private stations;
• Two triage rooms;
• Ten new exam rooms;
• Private family gathering room;
• New conference room in main lobby;
• Outdoor healing garden courtyard, opening soon;
• Expanded and renovated Gift Shop in WMC main lobby opening soon.

With the opening of the initial phase of the Adult ER renovation and expansion, the existing ER space will be renovated in several phases over the next year. Once completed in May 2024, the overall ER project will increase the capacity of the adult ER from 28 to 43 beds. It is part of a $200 million expansion and renovation plan to ensure Williamson Health continues to be the high-quality, high-satisfaction healthcare provider in our region for many years to come. Williamson Medical Center will unveil its 11-bed postpartum unit and newborn nursery for new mothers and their babies next month. Details and photos will be released in the coming weeks. Other parts of the $200 million project will be completed in 2024 and 2025, including:

• Fully renovated and expanded Obstetrics (OB) Unit including Labor, Delivery and Recovery rooms (LDR);
• One additional C-section room to total three operating rooms on the OB Unit;
• Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) relocated to its own secure wing with nine private bays;
• New Heart Center including one new, state-of-the-art Electrophysiology (EP) Lab and two state-of-the-art Cardiac Catheterization Labs, and a Pre- and Post-procedure holding area;
• Full renovation of the existing ER including the addition of a secure, 8-bed pod for patients requiring additional privacy and/or security for all types of emergency and/or behavioral health needs;
• West Tower expands from three to six floors and adds a six-story north wing. The north wing includes 72 Medical/Surgical private inpatient beds; a 22-bed Observation Unit; and a new 35-bed Intensive Care Unit and large ICU public waiting area to replace the two 10-bed units in the Main Tower.
• Existing Main Tower will be renovated with larger patient rooms and new technology.

“Williamson Medical Center has been serving our county’s healthcare needs for many years,” said Mayor Anderson. “This expansion and renovation project will further enhance the services and healthcare available right here at home to Williamson and surrounding counties.” “As a longtime supporter of our neighbor and hometown hospital, we were proud to be the first corporate partner for Williamson Medical Center’s historical expansion project,” said Darrell Waltrip, owner of Darrell Waltrip Automotive Group. “This project will be incredible for the community, and we hope others will join us in supporting the capital campaign funding this work. We are excited to be a part of this first completion milestone and look forward to the milestones to come.” The “More For You. Close to Home.” capital campaign has already raised more than $13 million to support the expansion and renovation, including from additional corporate partners: A Vintage Affair; Emergi-Trust, P.C.; ESa; FirstBank; JE Dunn Construction and Wesley Mortgage. Williamson Health will soon be turning to the community for additional fundraising support. The public phase hopes to inspire all community members to be part of the legacy ensuring world-class healthcare for many generations to come. “This state-of-the-art project ushers in a new chapter of high-quality healthcare for our community,” said Leigh Williams, executive director of the Williamson Health Foundation. “We are asking residents to join us in support because every gift helps us move toward our goal.” Williams said the community can learn more about making a tax-deductible donation by visiting WilliamsonHealth.org/capital-campaign. Details regarding special donor events and other fundraising opportunities is forthcoming, she said.

Williamson Health funds its operations entirely through the revenue it generates and receives no taxpayer dollars with the exception of a partnership with Williamson County for EMS/911 services. Profits are invested back into the hospital, other community services, and used to fund advanced technologies, higher acuity services, facility improvements and much more.

ABOUT WILLIAMSON HEALTH | Williamson Health is a regional healthcare system based in Williamson County, Tennessee, with more than 2,000 employees across more than 30 locations and over 860 providers offering exceptional healthcare close to home. The flagship hospital, Williamson Medical Center, now undergoing a historic $200 million expansion and renovation project, offers extensive women’s services, state-of-the-art cardiology services, advanced surgical technologies, an award-winning obstetrics and NICU, leading-edge orthopaedics, outpatient imaging services, and comprehensive emergency and inpatient services for both adult and pediatric patients. Other Williamson Health service providers include the Bone and Joint Institute of Tennessee, The Turner-Dugas Breast Health Center, Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital Vanderbilt at Williamson Medical Center, Williamson Health physician practices that are strategically located throughout the community, countywide Emergency Medical Services that include 18 rapid response units, Williamson Health Foundation, and multiple joint venture Vanderbilt Health and Williamson Medical Center Walk-In Clinics in Williamson County.