Ascension Saint Thomas Rutherford Launches New Structural Heart and Valve Center
Ascension Saint Thomas Rutherford has launched its new Structural Heart and Valve Center, expanding access to advanced cardiovascular care for residents of Rutherford County. The program provides life-saving treatment options locally, reducing the need for patients to travel outside the region for specialized care.
This milestone builds on the hospital’s recent investments in cardiovascular services. Following the expansion of interventional cardiac catheterization and outpatient cardiac imaging, the hospital introduced open-heart surgery in 2023 and has completed more than 725 successful procedures. The addition of structural heart care further strengthens Ascension Saint Thomas Rutherford’s role as a leader in heart care in Middle Tennessee.
Structural heart procedures address defects or abnormalities in the heart’s structure – including valves, walls, chambers, or vessels – rather than coronary arteries, which are treated in traditional interventional cardiology. These procedures often require specialist referrals and travel, but now are available locally, supporting the community hospital model by bringing critical specialty care closer to patients and families in Rutherford County.
The center is led by cardiothoracic surgeons Dr. Wilson Clements and Dr. Aaron Hoffman, along with fellowship-trained interventional and structural cardiologist Dr. Soubhi Azzouz, who recently joined Ascension Saint Thomas Heart from Intermountain Health at St. Mary’s Regional Hospital in Grand Junction, Colorado. Under their leadership, the center offers advanced treatments such as transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR), left atrial appendage closure with devices like WATCHMAN™, and other minimally invasive valve repair and replacement procedures.
“Bringing this level of care to our community is part of our mission to deliver high-quality, evidence-based treatment close to home,” said Daphne David, president and CEO of Ascension Saint Thomas Rutherford. “Patients can now access procedures once only available by traveling to our hospital in Nashville, right here in Rutherford County.”
The new center follows nationally recognized clinical pathways developed at Ascension Saint Thomas Hospital West, ensuring continuity of care and strong patient outcomes. The program prioritizes seamless coordination across multidisciplinary teams, from diagnosis through rehabilitation.
Ascension Saint Thomas continues to grow services in Murfreesboro to meet the evolving needs of the region. The launch of the Structural Heart and Valve Center reflects the system’s ongoing commitment to innovation, excellence, and advanced care for the communities it serves.
