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The Heart of Williamson Health


Investing in Cardiac Care for a Growing Community


When Williamson County Hospital opened in 1958, the small county hospital had fifty beds and served a county population just shy of 25,000. 


As the population and the county have grown - Williamson County now boasts more than 270,000 residents - Williamson Health has remained committed to its humble heritage and clear mission to meet the county's healthcare needs. 


That commitment requires continued investment. 


“Historically, Williamson County was a small farming community, but it's not really a small farming community anymore,” said Ty Whitfield, M.D., an Ascension Saint Thomas Heart Franklin interventional cardiologist who practices at Williamson Medical Center. “The only way for us to meet those growing needs is to invest in the necessary technologies, tools and people."


Already home to an award-winning cardiac center, Williamson Health recently expanded its robust cardiac services by adding a cardiac CT scanner and a cardiac MRI. Both are part of an intentional effort to offer exceptional, state-of-the-art cardiac care close to home for Williamson County residents.  


Williamson Health’s Cardiac Center, located in the Boyer-Bryan West Tower at Williamson Medical Center, already boasts two state-of-the-art heart catheterization labs, a new electrophysiology lab and cardiac stress testing capabilities. The new additions provide even greater tools to physicians, facilitating quicker diagnoses and precise treatment plans.


“This equipment gives physicians better information, leading to earlier diagnoses and ultimately improving health outcomes,” said James Phelps, Williamson Health’s director of radiology.  


Both cardiac CT and cardiac MRI are non-invasive diagnostic tools, allowing physicians to gather detailed information about a patient's heart. While cardiac CT focuses on the heart's blood vessels and can identify plaque buildup or blockages, cardiac MRI provides a detailed look at the heart muscle itself, helping physicians diagnose conditions that affect the structure and function of the heart.


“Anytime you’ve got a new tool that gives you a little more information or helps you see things from a different perspective, it’s always helpful,” Dr. Whitfield said. 


In addition, he said, the addition of the cardiac CT and MRI gives Williamson Health capabilities usually reserved for larger academic medical centers. 


“Cardiac MRI is a very specialized scan that’s mostly been limited to academic centers or highly specialized tertiary care centers,” Dr. Whitfield said. “In the past, cardiac MRI has been very inconvenient to get in Middle Tennessee, with patients usually having to travel to Nashville, and a lot of hospitals have a wait time of two to four weeks or more.” 


But while advanced imaging and interventional capabilities are important, Williamson Health leaders say the ultimate goal is not simply treating heart disease; it's preventing it.


Williamson Health has offered discounted cardiac calcium score screening in past years during American Heart Month in February. This simple test is designed to identify plaque buildup in the coronary arteries before symptoms appear. This year, more than 850 people participated in the screening.


For patients with risk factors or a family history of heart disease, the screening can identify problems before a heart attack or stroke occurs.


"Using a calcium score or a cardiac CT, we can identify people who are at elevated risk and start prevention before they have a heart attack or stroke," Dr. Whitfield said. "That's why we're here. That's why we have doctors and hospitals - to prevent and treat disease."


Williamson Health also offers frequent community education as well as online educational resources, including hands-only CPR and automated external defibrillator (AED) training videos, helping residents build lifesaving skills outside the hospital walls.


Taken together, the investments reflect Williamson Health's mission to serve the community with access to advanced technology, specialized expertise and preventive care, all close to home.


"This is a commitment to our community," Phelps said. "Our goal is to make sure residents of Williamson County have access to the most advanced cardiovascular imaging and exceptional care close to home."



Heart Health by the Numbers

  • More than 850 residents participated in Williamson Health's cardiac calcium score screening in 2026

  • Two heart catheterization labs

  • One electrophysiology lab

  • New cardiac CT scanner, with more than 150 cardiac CT scans performed since the program launched

  • Cardiac MRI capabilities now available in Williamson County



Learn more about Williamson Health’s comprehensive cardiac care services at WilliamsonHealth.org/cardiology. To access training videos about hands-only CPR or AED usage, visit williamsonhealth.org/cpr-and-aed-education.

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