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NASHVILLE, Tenn. —** The Titans partnered with Saint Thomas Health in hosting a grand opening for the newly renovated Saint Thomas Women's Care unit at Saint Thomas Midtown Hospital, an event to showcase its enhancements and additions. Saint Thomas Health is part of Ascension, the nation's largest Catholic and nonprofit health system.

The event was emceed by Meryll Rose, co-host of NewsChannel5's "Talk of the Town," and it included a ribbon cutting, open house and tours of the Women's Care facilities, a pink carpet photo op, and comments from Saint Thomas Health leadership. Titans alumni Blaine Bishop, Kevin Dyson and Chris Hope, cheerleaders and T-Rac were in attendance, and Saint Thomas Health OB/GYNs, midwives, and nursing discussed the benefits of the new space with women and families.

"The renovations began in 2016 and it was a four-phase project in which we moved from phase-to-phase while still being able to take care of our patients", said Donna Darnell, Director of Nursing, Saint Thomas Midtown Hospital. "The renovations allowed us to initiate the first birthing center which is an inpatient facility in middle Tennessee, where we offer a home-like environment in the walls of our hospital."

Saint Thomas Health announced the opening of The Birthing Center earlier this year, Nashville's first in-hospital natural birthing center, providing expectant families both the comfort of a home-like environment while also having the security of specialized clinical staff in the same building.

Saint Thomas Health has made enhancements and additions to the Women's Care facilities to improve the experience for the thousands of families who deliver with Saint Thomas Health each year. New and enhanced Women's Care amenities at Saint Thomas Midtown Hospital include:

• The Birthing Center – Nashville's first in-hospital natural birthing facility

• Renovated, spacious labor and delivery rooms

• New premium post-partum suites

• A new Family Learning Center

• Tennessee Titans FanZone Family Waiting Area

• Mommy & Me Boutique

"This partnership also allowed us to renovate the Family Waiting Room on the 7th floor! It has great comfy furniture with the Titans logo and a wall covering just like you are in the stands. It's the favorite place for the dad to hang out", said Darnell.

"It would take my mind off all the stress my wife would have, that's for sure!" said Bishop. "Sitting back and relaxing like you are at home. You've got the lounge chairs, the televisions, the fans behind you, Marcus's jersey. They try to make everyone feels like they are home and are comfortable because they know it's a heck of an experience and one you'll never forget."

"The facility speaks volumes, Dyson said. "The care, the love they show for their patients, I think is second to none. You want to make everyone comfortable and taken care of from grandma down to the siblings and that is what Saint Thomas is doing."

"A few years ago, when I had my child and thinking back what it was like from my experience to now. I think they have made a lot of great upgrades which makes it one of the top hospitals in the state of Tennessee. It's somewhere I feel comfortable bringing my wife to have my next child", said Hope.

In addition, Saint Thomas Midtown Hospital renovated the labor and delivery rooms to provide more space and a comfortable environment for expectant mothers and their families and created premium post-partum suites.

"Our relationship with the Titans is incredible!" said Kristen Toth, Vice President of Women's and Children's Services at Saint Thomas Health. "Our patients know that Saint Thomas has a relationship with the Titans and is a long-time supporter. They expect to see the Titans at our events and they were thrilled to see T-Rac, the cheerleaders and some former players."

By expanding their services and amenities, it was their goal is to meet each expectant mother and her family where they are in their healthcare journey. Every woman is unique, and Saint Thomas designed the new Women's Care unit to meet those unique individual needs.

"More moms trust Saint Thomas Women's Care to deliver their babies more than any other hospital in the state of Tennessee," said Toth. "It's because we provide great quality care along with a really great experience."

ABOUT SAINT THOMAS HEALTH

In Tennessee, Ascension's Saint Thomas Health operates nine hospitals in addition to a comprehensive network of affiliated joint ventures, medical practices, clinics and rehabilitation facilities that cover a 68-county area and employ more than 8,000 associates. Across the state, Saint Thomas Health provided more than $92 million in community benefit and care of persons living in poverty in fiscal year 2017. Serving Tennessee for 15 years, Ascension is a faith-based healthcare organization committed to delivering compassionate, personalized care to all, with special attention to persons living in poverty and those most vulnerable. Ascension is the largest non-profit health system in the U.S. and the world's largest Catholic health system, operating 2,500 sites of care – including 141 hospitals and more than 30 senior living facilities – in 24 states and the District of Columbia. Visit www.sthealth.com.