Ascension Saint Thomas and Lifepoint Rehabilitation Receive State Approval to Build New Inpatient Rehabilitation Hospital in Clarksville

Ascension Saint Thomas and Lifepoint Rehabilitation, an operating division of Lifepoint Health, yesterday announced that the Tennessee Health Facilities Commission has approved their certificate of need application to build a new inpatient rehabilitation hospital on the 96-acre Ascension Saint Thomas Clarksville Health Campus.

The planned 40-bed facility will provide specialized care for adults recovering from debilitating and complex conditions such as stroke, brain injury, spinal cord injury, neurological disorders, and orthopedic trauma. The project marks the third joint venture rehabilitation hospital between Ascension Saint Thomas and Lifepoint Rehabilitation and reflects a shared commitment to expanding access to high-quality, patient-centered care across Middle Tennessee.

"Today's approval marks another significant step forward in bringing expanded, specialized care to Clarksville-Montgomery County," said Fahad Tahir, president and CEO of Ascension Saint Thomas. "Integrating this new rehabilitation hospital into our comprehensive health campus will help patients across our region recover their strength and independence after serious illness or injury, and support all stages of care, recovery and well-being."

The new inpatient rehabilitation hospital will feature 40 private rooms and be staffed by interdisciplinary care teams including rehabilitation physicians, nurses, physical and occupational therapists, and speech-language pathologists. Plans include a dedicated acquired brain injury unit and multidisciplinary therapy spaces to support complex neurological and orthopedic recovery needs.

The hospital will strengthen the region's continuum of care by expanding rehabilitation capacity in Montgomery County, allowing patients recovering from serious illness or injury to remain near their support systems. The facility will serve both military-connected and civilian populations, improving access to essential specialty services and helping build a more resilient healthcare infrastructure for the region.

"This approval evidences the need for greater access to rehabilitation care in Middle Tennessee and represents an exciting next step in our ongoing partnership with Ascension Saint Thomas," said Russ Bailey, president of Lifepoint Rehabilitation. "Together, we are expanding access to evidence-driven rehabilitation services that help patients rebuild their lives and return to the activities that matter most."

Located on the 96-acre Ascension Saint Thomas Clarksville Health Campus at the intersection of Highway 76 and Interstate 24, the rehabilitation hospital will be part of a comprehensive, integrated healthcare development anchored by the future Ascension Saint Thomas Clarksville Hospital. The campus will include inpatient, outpatient, surgical, imaging, and specialty services designed to deliver seamless, coordinated care for patients across the region. Construction for the rehabilitation hospital is anticipated to begin in 2026, with the facility expected to open in 2028.

Ascension Saint Thomas has a long-standing commitment to the Clarksville-Montgomery County community and has maintained a presence in the area since 2005, now operating 14 care sites across the region.