HOPKINSVILLE, KY (CHRISTIAN COUNTY NOW) – With the announcement of new hospitals in nearby Clarksville, Tennessee, and the recent merger of Jennie Stuart Health and Deaconess in Hopkinsville, local residents are witnessing a drastic shift in the healthcare landscape of the area.

Christian County currently only has one medical center and emergency room in the city, with military and veteran residents also able to access Blanchfield Army Community Hospital on Fort Campbell. Across the state line, TriStar Health plans to build 68-bed hospital, expandable to 224 beds, on the south side of Tiny Town Road in Clarksville. Also, non-profit Ascension Saint Thomas plans to build a 44-bed hospital, expandable to 132 beds, on a 98-acre campus just east of Exit 11. Both of these bring nearly 500 healthcare jobs to the region.

Additionally, non-profit Vanderbilt University Medical Center, a 20% owner of the existing Tennova-Clarksville hospital, plans to acquire full ownership of the 270-bed hospital by early 2026.

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Serving the Christian County community

Christian County Now reached out to hospital representatives, asking about the partnership and impact these changes will have beyond Clarksville.

“TriStar Clarksville Hospital will serve as a regional hub for high-quality care, extending access not only across Clarksville and Montgomery County, but also into southern Kentucky,” said a statement from TriStar Health to Christian County Now.

TriStar Health also shared that their proximity to the state line will help reduce travel time for area families, such as Oak Grove, while also serving local soldiers and veterans. They will be offering 24/7 emergency care along with maternity and newborn care, and advanced diagnostics imaging.

Ascension Saint Thomas is already established in Christian County with local clinics offering specialty care and services like neurosurgery and physical therapy. With the new hospital, they have the goal of providing access to inpatient and emergency services, without residents having to travel to Nashville. They will also offer expanded outpatient surgery advanced imaging, oncology, NICU, and comprehensive cardiac care to give Kentucky residents complex care options that are closer to home.

“Ascension Saint Thomas is dedicated to expanding healthcare access throughout the region, including neighboring communities like Christian County, Kentucky. Patients deserve convenient access to comprehensive care closer to home,” said a representative from Ascension Saint Thomas.

Expansions of local hospitals in Hopkinsville, Clarksville

While Clarksville’s hometown hospital, Tennova, has had a questionable reputation among community members, the announcement that VUMC will be taking over has been met with excitement. This announcement brings health care options closer to the state line, so Christian County residents do not have to travel as far for specialized care.

“Full acquisition of the Clarksville hospital strengthens VUMC’s ability to serve patients across the region, supporting the Medical Center’s strategy to provide high-quality care for patients with less complex needs in more convenient, community settings that are also more cost-effective,” said a news release from VUMC.

Locally, the newly established Deaconess merger claims to provide Hopkinsville residents access to critical technology upgrades that enable a higher standard of care. Deaconess promised to maintain current services from Jennie Stuart while also expanding capabilities by bringing in additional specialists and investing in treatments that were not previously accessible to the community.

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