Ascension Saint Thomas names Clarksville hospital president, announces inaugural community advisory board

Ascension Saint Thomas has named Jake Golich the first President and CEO of Ascension Saint Thomas Clarksville Hospital and established an inaugural Community Advisory Board to help guide development of the new hospital and integrated health campus.

Together, Golich and the community advisory board will help shape the $148.5 million project as Ascension Saint Thomas expands access to care in Clarksville-Montgomery County. The advisory board will provide community input and leadership throughout the development of the hospital and health campus, helping ensure the new campus reflects the needs and priorities of the people it will serve.

"This hospital is being built for Clarksville, and it is important that the community has a meaningful voice in how it takes shape," said Fahad Tahir, President and CEO of Ascension Saint Thomas. "Jake brings the experience and leadership needed to build and lead a strong community hospital, and our advisory board brings perspectives from leaders who know Clarksville-Montgomery County and are deeply invested in its future. Together, they will help us build a hospital that is ready to serve this community from day one and grow with it for generations."

Golich named first president and CEO

Golich brings nearly two decades of healthcare leadership experience in hospital operations, growth strategy, physician recruitment, community relationships, and capital development. Most recently, he served in executive and regional leadership roles with HCA Healthcare's TriStar Division, including as CEO of Pinewood Springs Mental Health & Wellness in Columbia, Tennessee.

He also has experience planning, licensing, designing, and constructing new and renovated healthcare facilities in growing communities. The appointment marks a return to Ascension for Golich, who began his healthcare leadership career at Ascension St. Vincent Indianapolis Hospital.

"I am honored to join Ascension Saint Thomas and become part of the Clarksville community during such an important time," Golich said. "This is an opportunity to help build something that will support patients, families, and the region for generations. I look forward to listening to the people who live and work here and making sure their perspectives help shape how we prepare this hospital to serve the community. Returning to Ascension nearly 20 years after starting my career here is especially meaningful, and I'm humbled to come back in a CEO role."

Community advisory board established

Ascension Saint Thomas Clarksville Hospital will be guided by the voice of the community through the integration of the Community Advisory Board, bringing together leaders representing a range of perspectives and experiences across Clarksville-Montgomery County. Members will serve as community advisors as plans for the hospital and health campus advance, providing insight on local needs, opportunities, and priorities. Many members are expected to transition to serve on the hospital's inaugural Board of Directors when it opens.

The inaugural board includes:

• Board Chair: Wes Golden, Montgomery County Mayor
• Honorary Co-Chair: Jack Turner, Founder, Jack B. Turner & Associates
• Tommy Bates, CEO, Legends Bank
• Jeff Bibb, Owner, JV Bibb Consulting
• Rosalind Kurita, Executive Director, Clarksville-Montgomery County Community Health Foundation
• Ben Kimbrough Jr., Retired
• Leo Millan, Owner, Millan Enterprises
• Mark Muiznieks, MD, Emergency Medicine Physician
• Rob Salome, President, Solutions 21
• Ralph Schulz, Principal Consultant, Thrivence

"Clarksville-Montgomery County is growing quickly, and decisions being made today will shape how our community accesses healthcare for generations to come," said Wes Golden, Montgomery County Mayor and Chair of the Ascension Saint Thomas Clarksville Community Advisory Board. "This board gives local leaders an opportunity to bring the community's perspective directly into that work. We are excited to help Ascension Saint Thomas build a hospital and health campus that reflects what this community needs today and where it is headed in the future."

Ascension Saint Thomas broke ground in June on the new hospital and integrated health campus on 96 acres near the intersection of Highway 76 and Interstate 24. The hospital will initially open with 44 inpatient beds and is designed to expand to 132 beds as community needs grow.

The campus will offer emergency care, inpatient surgery, cardiology, neurosciences, women's health, neonatal intensive care, oncology, and orthopedics. Plans also include outpatient surgery, advanced imaging, specialty ambulatory care, and an inpatient rehabilitation hospital.

Ascension Saint Thomas has served the Clarksville community since opening its first location in the area in 2005 and now operates 17 care locations throughout Montgomery County. The new hospital and health campus will build on that presence by bringing additional hospital services, specialists, and care options to Clarksville-Montgomery County.

The project is expected to create approximately 250 hospital jobs and generate an estimated annual economic impact of $316 million while supporting over 1,300 direct and indirect jobs throughout the region.