In 2019, Vanderbilt Health acquired the hospital in Wilson County and has since made investments to deliver care in the community that builds on the Vanderbilt Health legacy of world-class care.
To honor five years of Vanderbilt Health’s commitment to Wilson County, Vanderbilt Wilson County Hospital team members share what this community means to them and how support from Vanderbilt Health has transformed health care locally.
As the community grows, Vanderbilt Wilson County Hospital has enhanced the level of care available to expectant families. Investment in the health of local families through a robust labor and delivery department has included OB-GYNs, specialty nurses, in-house midwives, new in-house pediatric services, as well as adopting Vanderbilt Health’s best practices.
“It's unique for patients to be able to give birth in a small, community hospital that can boast the quality of care that Vanderbilt Health is known for. The continuity of care is different,” said Heather Potts, FNP, assistant director of advanced practice at Vanderbilt Center for Women’s Health Lebanon.
Potts is proud to serve the families of Wilson County, noting, “I love the relationships I have with patients and their families during some of the most vulnerable times of their lives.”
Another important service available in Wilson County is interventional cardiology. Since 2022, Vanderbilt Health has expanded its cardiology offerings to include general cardiology, interventional cardiology and cath lab services. Serving patients in both clinic and hospital settings, Xiangke Huang, MBBS, MS, interventional cardiologist and assistant professor of Clinical Medicine, shared that they're seeing more patients than ever. “People hear about the quality care provided at the hospital and are choosing Vanderbilt Wilson County Hospital as their preferred location for cardiology care and treatment.”
“Our clinic staff treat patients as family members,” said Huang. “When we take care of people from our community, we feel we are in the same family, and it is very rewarding.”
As part of Vanderbilt Health’s growth in Wilson County, the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center Lebanon recently moved to a new facility — offering world-class cancer care in a comfortable and spacious setting.
Waleed Khalaf, MD, PhD, medical director for Regional Network Cancer Care at Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, shared how building relationships with patients and their families is the most fulfilling part of his work.
“I don't view it as something that's just a service to a patient. It’s a relationship, and that's how we become part of the community,” said Khalaf.
Vanderbilt Wilson County Hospital is home to the first and only Level III trauma center in the county. This designation indicates the hospital’s ability to provide 24-hour, immediate care by emergency physicians and quick availability of trauma-trained surgeons and anesthesiologists.
Steven Katz, MD, medical director at Vanderbilt Wilson County Hospital, shared more about the importance of nearby access to high-level emergency services.
“Our hospital has this feeling of a tight-knit community that can support its neighbors and do it well. Everybody has the mentality that they want to be part of the system, especially in an emergency.”
The investments Vanderbilt Health has made in Wilson County in the last five years build on the legacy of providing quality care to the community. With growth in key services and expanded care options, Vanderbilt Wilson County Hospital continues to serve its neighbors across the region.
“I love the relationships I have with patients and their families during some of the most vulnerable times of their lives.” - Heather Potts, FNP