Fairview commissioners back Ascension Saint Thomas plan and urge public support for 24/7 ER
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Summary
Ascension Saint Thomas outlined plans for a roughly six‑acre Fairview Health Campus with a 24/7 emergency department, primary care and behavioral health services. The board unanimously approved a resolution supporting freestanding emergency departments and commissioners encouraged community letters for the state Certificate of Need process.
Ascension Saint Thomas and local partner Dixon Medical Associates presented a plan on Thursday for a Fairview Health Campus that would bring a 24/7 emergency department, primary care and specialty services closer to town.
Fahad, speaking for Ascension Saint Thomas, described the project as a multi‑building campus on roughly six acres and said Ascension is coordinating with DMA physicians. The presenters said the campus is intended to reduce travel times for urgent care and to expand access to behavioral-health and specialty services locally.
Ascension representatives said the emergency department portion is subject to Tennessee’s Certificate of Need process and that their application has been deemed complete; they requested community letters of support and invited residents to speak at the Health Facilities Commission hearing when a docket date is set (possible dates mentioned included April 22 or May 27). "We welcome community support and participation and letters of support," a spokesperson said, and provided a QR code for quick submission of letters.
Commissioners asked how the campus will be staffed and whether local residents will be prioritized for new jobs. Ascension said they intend to recruit locally and to staff the emergency services with board‑certified physicians comparable to those at the St. Thomas West campus, and that DMA specialists and St. Thomas physicians will provide complementary services at the Fairview site.
The board unanimously approved a resolution supporting establishment of freestanding emergency departments in Fairview and encouraged residents to participate in the Certificate of Need process.
Next steps: Ascension and DMA will continue community outreach (a local meeting at Thompson’s Kitchen was announced for March 26, 6–7:30 p.m.) and will proceed with state review for the emergency‑department certificate of need.
