Above all else, we are commited to patient-centered care and the improvement of human life. We serve each patient compassionately and are dedicated to being a superior and innovative healthcare provider.
History of Summit Medical Center
In the late 1960s, a group of physicians led by surgeon Carl Gessler, M.D., created an alternative to downtown Nashville hospitals that would provide convenient emergency care and the best in diagnostic testing and treatment for their community. To reach their goal, they began working with the newly formed Hospital Corporation of America. Their dream became reality with the 1970 opening of Donelson Hospital.
Originally a 100-bed facility, Donelson Hospital expanded numerous times in its 21-year history to continuously meet the healthcare needs of our growing service area. The construction and 1994 opening of the new Summit Medical Center was the fruition of the founding doctors' vision. Today, the 188-bed Summit Medical Center stands as a tribute to the proud and successful history of Donelson Hospital.
Past expansions to Summit Medical Center have included the all digital Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory and the Sarah Cannon Cancer Center. In 2005-2006, construction of the two-floor addition to Summit’s Medical Office Building Three took place, which now houses additional physician offices and the fitness center. In 2008, Summit expanded its reach even further with the opening of Summit Imaging at Lebanon and Summit Convenient Care at Lebanon, located in central Wilson County. In 2010, Summit continued to expand its reach to Wilson County with the opening of Summit Walk-in Clinic and began a three phase renovation and expansion to its Emergency Department that was completed in summer 2011.
Summit Medical Center is a medical and surgical facility known for emergency care, cardiac services, oncology services, orthopedic surgeries, diabetes management and obstetric services. Equally important is the emphasis that Summit places on Outpatient Services. Our facility is constructed to truly respond to the way healthcare is delivered today—primarily to outpatients. Great care has been taken to ensure convenience and quality service to all patients.
The Emergency Department at Summit is ready and equipped to handle any emergency and all physicians are specially trained in Emergency Medicine. In 2003, the Emergency Department completed a major renovation increasing patient capacity by 14%. In 2011, the Emergency Department underwent a $6.3 million upgrade that included functional and aesthetic changes to enable Summit Medical Center to take care of more patients, improve patient flow and patient comfort. More than 46,000 patients were treated in Summit’s Emergency Department during 2010.
Summit is one of the busiest suburban maternity centers in Middle Tennessee with over 1,400 deliveries last year. We boast a Special Care Nursery with round-the-clock neonatology coverage that enables us to care for babies with special needs. Summit also offers 4D Ultrasound, the latest in ultrasound technology.
Summit's Diabetes Center earned national recognition for participation in clinical trials of the MiniMed implantable insulin pump study and for a study regarding hepatic activation's role in halting diabetic kidney disease. The 20-bed Psychiatric Center meets the mental health needs of adults in our community. It is the only facility in the area with a private room for every patient.
Summit's Cancer Services are a part of the Sarah Cannon Cancer Center network of the TriStar Health System. This network is the area's most comprehensive cancer program, offering the latest in research-based treatment with multiple locations in Middle Tennessee and Southern Kentucky. Cancer services at Summit currently include surgery, radiation oncology and medical oncology. In 2008, Summit was honored with the Outstanding Achievement Award by the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer for excellence in cancer treatment and care.
Summit has been named one of the nation's top performing hospitals according to the 100 Top Hospitals Benchmark for Success study conducted by HCIA, Inc., and William M. Mercer, Inc. Summit expanded its Medical Imaging services with the February 2001 opening of Summit’s Medical Imaging Department. The Medical Imaging Services include Radiology, CT, MRI, Ultrasound, Nuclear Medicine, a Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory and Digital Mammography.
Summit Medical Center is fully accredited by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations.
