| Posted November 19, 2013 | By Melonee Hurt | Categorized under WMC Happenings |

FRANKLIN, Tenn. - Williamson Medical Center executives officially broke ground Nov. 19, 2013, on its latest expansion project, which will include a dedicated children's Emergency Department and hospital as well as expanded surgery and women's services and surgical suites.

Comprised of two three-story buildings, construction officially began with the placement of ceremonial shovels in the ground at the site of the front door of the children's hospital, which will bear the name Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital Vanderbilt at Williamson Medical Center.

The name reflects WMC's partnership in bringing highly advanced pediatric inpatient care to Williamson County and its surrounding communities.      

"This day has been a long time in the making," said WMC Chief Executive Officer Don Webb. "Honestly, I can remember back to 10 years ago when there was discussion about when would be the right time to begin providing healthcare for younger children in need of inpatient services. The tempo of this discussion picked up within the last two years and today we celebrate the beginning of this next phase in our journey as we continue to grow to meet the needs of the communities."

Lori Orme, R.N., WMC's chief nursing officer added that the expansion of the surgical area will enable WMC to stay ahead of the curve in its ability to accommodate advanced surgical technology.

"First, I want to say thank you to the leadership of Williamson Medical Center, the Board of Trustees, and our executive team for having the courage and the vision to continue to provide quality facilities that exceed the expectations of families every day," Orme said. "We have been blessed with an excellent facility for a number of years, but this renovation and expansion of our surgical suites is going to allow us to stay ahead of technology and remain current as well as plan for the growing needs of technology in medicine."

WMC's Chief Operating Officer, Julie Miller walked the crowd gathered in the medical center's main lobby through renderings of the new buildings including the main lobby of the children's hospital, the emergency department, an atrium and nurses station.

"We have created a calming environment for families while they are here," she said. "This is not going to be your grandfather's waiting room."

Miller also addressed other areas where WMC and Vanderbilt have joined forces including Walk-In clinics in Franklin and Spring Hill that are open now as well as additional locations in Cool Springs and Brentwood that are in the works.

"Our relationship with Vanderbilt is an important one," Miller said. "We could have picked any number of healthcare providers to partner with moving forward.  We chose Vanderbilt and we made that announcement in this very space in 2011 and today's project is one good example of that relationship."