Vanderbilt University Medical Center to Acquire Tennova Clarksville

Leaders at Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC) have announced plans to acquire full ownership of Tennova Healthcare-Clarksville from subsidiaries of Community Health Systems Inc. (CHS). This acquisition builds on VUMC’s existing 20% minority interest in the hospital and its associated services that began in 2021. The deal aims to enhance VUMC’s capacity to deliver healthcare to patients in the region, ensuring more accessible and cost-effective services.

The 270-bed Clarksville facility will join VUMC’s growing network of regional medical centers in Tennessee. This network currently includes Vanderbilt Wilson County Hospital in Lebanon, which was added in 2019, as well as Vanderbilt Tullahoma-Harton Hospital and Vanderbilt Bedford Hospital, both acquired in 2021. VUMC’s strategy focuses on providing comprehensive care for patients with less complex health needs in community settings.

Residents of Clarksville, Montgomery County, and surrounding areas can expect an expansion of adult and pediatric services following the acquisition. VUMC has committed to retaining most of the current employees of Tennova Healthcare-Clarksville who are in good standing at the time of the transition. “Expanding our services in Clarksville allows us to better serve the healthcare needs of this rapidly growing area,” said Jeff Balser, MD, PhD, President and Chief Executive Officer of VUMC. He emphasized the organization’s dedication to delivering high-quality care close to home.

VUMC and Tennova Healthcare-Clarksville have already collaborated on several healthcare initiatives, including an OB-GYN hospitalist program and radiation oncology services through the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center. They have also introduced a neonatal care program in the hospital’s Level II Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, supported by specialists from Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt.

As VUMC’s fourth expansion into regional hospitals, this acquisition underscores their commitment to enhancing healthcare access across Middle Tennessee. The purchase is pending regulatory review, but patients at Tennova Healthcare-Clarksville will not experience any interruption in care during the transition process. “Integrating the Clarksville hospital into our regional network is an exciting step forward,” stated Jane Freedman, MD, Deputy Chief Executive Officer and Chief Health System Officer for VUMC.

Tennova Healthcare-Clarksville is recognized for its array of inpatient and outpatient services, including an Accredited Chest Pain Center and a Wound Care Center of Distinction. The hospital has also received the Gold Seal of Approval from The Joint Commission. In addition to the main facility, it operates a freestanding emergency department and eight physician clinics.

According to the Clarksville Economic Development Council, Clarksville is Tennessee’s fifth largest city, with a population exceeding 200,000 and a remarkable growth rate of 24% over the past decade. This acquisition aligns with VUMC’s vision of meeting the evolving healthcare demands of a thriving community.