NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WZTV) — Vanderbilt Medical Center will be expanding to new heights next year.

A new expansion tower, named the Jim Ayers Tower in recognition of Janet and Jim Ayers’, will be a 15-level, 470,000-square-foot tower that includes a radiology service center, 44,000 more square feet of operating room space and 600 more parking spaces for the hospital’s use. The tower will be the new front door to Vanderbilt University Hospital.

“We are honored to announce the Jim Ayers Tower, which will allow us to better fulfill the mission of Vanderbilt University Medical Center to make health care personal for the patients we serve. The tower’s new space is essential as we expand to meet the needs of our rapidly growing Middle Tennessee communities,” said Jeff Balser, MD, PhD, President and CEO of VUMC and Dean of Vanderbilt University School of Medicine.

“As our largest facility expansion to date,” said Balser, “this structure is being named to recognize the unparalleled dedication of Janet and Jim Ayers to the health and well-being of all Tennesseans.”

The Jim Ayers Tower is scheduled to open its first floor, Level 7, in October 2025.

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