Ascension Saint Thomas River Park Hospital has launched a major expansion of its intensive care unit (ICU) and emergency department (ED), made possible by a $7.6 million state grant and matching funds from Ascension Saint Thomas, bringing the total investment to $15.2 million.
Demolition on the third floor began in early March to accommodate the new, expanded ICU, which is scheduled for final inspections in September 2025. The current eight-bed ICU will be relocated to the third floor and expanded to a 12-bed unit.
The existing 12-bed ED will expand into the former ICU space, increasing its capacity to 21 beds. The ED expansion project is expected to be completed by March 2026.
“This expansion is critical to meeting the evolving health care needs of the McMinnville community,” said Dale Humphrey, CEO of Ascension Saint Thomas River Park. “By enhancing our ICU and ED, we are strengthening our ability to provide life-saving treatments and critical care close to home. We are deeply grateful for the support from the State of Tennessee, Senator Janice Bowling, and Representative Paul Sherrell.”
Ascension Saint Thomas River Park offers comprehensive medical services, including 24/7 emergency care, heart and vascular care, general surgery, maternity and neonatal care, minimally invasive procedures, imaging, lab tests, and rehabilitation services — all conveniently located on one campus.
The hospital is recognized as a five-star-rated facility by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). It also holds an ‘A’ safety grade from The Leapfrog Group and is Chest Pain Certified by The Joint Commission, underscoring its commitment to patient safety and exceptional care.
About Ascension Saint Thomas
Ascension Saint Thomas is a leading health care system with a 125-year history of providing care to the community, and is the only faith-based, non profit health system in Middle Tennessee. Today, the health system offers a highly comprehensive system of care, with more than 250 sites of care that cover a 45-county area in Tennessee consisting of 18 hospitals and a network of affiliated joint ventures, medical practices, clinics and specialty facilities. Across the state, Ascension Saint Thomas and its partner organizations employ more than 13,000 dedicated associates who care for millions of patients each year. Ascension Saint Thomas is part of Ascension, one of the nation’s largest faith-based healthcare organizations committed to delivering compassionate, personalized care to all, with special attention to persons living in poverty and those most vulnerable. Ascension includes approximately 134,000 associates, 35,000 affiliated providers and 140 hospitals, serving communities in 19 states and the District of Columbia. Visit www.ascension.org.
