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NASHVILLE, Tenn. —** Offensive linemen Ben Jones,  Brian Schwenke, Josh Kline, Quinton Spain, Tyler Marz, Dennis Kelly and Jack Conklin visited new families and orthopaedic patients, kicking off Titans Tuesdays at Saint Thomas Midtown Hospital this week.

"Today we spent some time with patients who had knee and hip replacements so we wanted to come and welcome them with open arms and wish them a speedy recovery," said Jones.

The OB floor made extensive and exciting renovations that began last summer to enhance the experience of the many families they care for each year. Some of the updates included a new registration area, renovated triage rooms, labor and delivery rooms and a new Titans Fan Zone Waiting Room. Additionally, the new Birthing Center offers expectant families a truly memorable childbirth experience: holistic, highly specialized maternity care in a home-like environment.

More than 6,000 babies are born annually at the hospital which is the most among all hospitals in middle Tennessee.

"It's a lot of fun!" said Conklin. "I had my daughter here 5 months ago, and it was fun to be part of the new renovations. It's great to come back and see some of the nurses when I was here and welcome some of these new babies into this world."

"Part of the renovation includes the birthing center which is an inpatient facility for our home- like delivery patients that would like to deliver at home or at a free-standing facility." said Donna Darnell, director of nursing at Saint Thomas Midtown Hospital. "We'd like to offer them that within the walls of Saint Thomas Midtown."

"The new Fan Zone was a partnership and generous gift from the Titans where we were able to do new flooring, new walls, new artwork and Titans memorabilia. Our families and visitors love to hang out here. They love the furniture because it's so comfy and they love watching the Titans while they sit on a Titans sofa!"

The Joint Replacement Institute undertook an extensive renovation in 2015. The $25 million project renovated 94,000 square feet of space at Saint Thomas Midtown Hospital that resulted in eight dedicated operating rooms that are larger and more appropriate for advanced total joint replacement procedures, leading to the best outcomes for patients. The final result brings Middle Tennessee patients a personalized experience and nationally recognized care.

"I was in the hospital when I was a kid with a couple of surgeries and it would have made my day if I got to see a professional athletic! The visit makes the day go by a little faster," said Jones.

"For the Titans to come here is unbelievable!" said John Michael Eargle, system VP service line operations - orthopedics and spine at Saint Thomas Joint Replacement Institute. "The employees get a morale boost and when the patients see the Titans, it lifts their spirits tremendously. Not only for joint patients, but you also see that on the women's and children's unit as well. The patients also give back to the players."

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 $78 million in community benefit and care of persons living in poverty in fiscal year 2016. 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.