Ascension Names Golich First CEO of Clarksville Hospital
Jake Golich will lead the new Ascension Saint Thomas Clarksville Hospital as its first president and chief executive officer.
Updated on Nov. 1, 2026 in Healthcare
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Ascension Saint Thomas has named Jake Golich the first president and CEO of Ascension Saint Thomas Clarksville Hospital. The health system also established an inaugural Community Advisory Board for the hospital.
Why it matters
The appointment and advisory board mark a step toward opening a hospital that will serve Clarksville and Montgomery County residents. Ascension Saint Thomas has operated in the community since 2005 and runs 17 care locations across the county.
The hospital and integrated health campus carries a $148.5 million budget and will open with 44 inpatient beds on a 96-acre site near Highway 76 and Interstate 24. Plans call for expansion to 132 beds, though the timeline for that growth was not provided.
The players
Jake Golich
Golich is a healthcare executive whose prior leadership roles include HCA Healthcare's TriStar Division and Pinewood Springs Mental Health & Wellness in Columbia, Tennessee.
Ascension Saint Thomas
Ascension Saint Thomas is a Tennessee health system that has served the Clarksville community since 2005 and operates 17 care locations in Montgomery County.
Wes Golden
Golden is the Montgomery County Mayor who serves as Board Chair of the hospital's inaugural board.
The details
Golich previously held executive and regional leadership roles with HCA Healthcare's TriStar Division, served as CEO of Pinewood Springs Mental Health & Wellness in Columbia, and began his career at Ascension St. Vincent Indianapolis Hospital. Wes Golden, Montgomery County Mayor, serves as Board Chair of the inaugural board, and many advisory board members are expected to transition to the hospital's Board of Directors when it opens.
Timeline
2005: Ascension Saint Thomas opened its first Clarksville-area location.
June: Ascension Saint Thomas broke ground on the hospital campus.
November 1, 2026: Golich was named first CEO and the advisory board was established.
Market Landscape
The Clarksville project places Ascension Saint Thomas in direct competition for patients in a growing Middle Tennessee market, extending the regional expansion pattern Golich previously worked within at HCA's TriStar Division. Adding a hospital with 44 beds that can grow to 132 positions the system to capture local inpatient volume as the county grows.
Residents of Clarksville and Montgomery County will have a new local hospital option with 44 inpatient beds at opening, expandable to 132 as demand grows. The hospital is expected to bring roughly 250 jobs, which may also affect local access to care staff.
The takeaway
The Clarksville hospital's phased bed plan and community advisory structure suggest the system is tying its growth to local needs rather than a fixed capacity target. Residents interested in its development can follow the advisory board's role as plans advance.
Further reading
For more on the regional health system landscape, see Healthcare coverage on Clarksville developments.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Main Street Media of Tennessee -.
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