Vanderbilt Eye Institute (VEI) and local dignitaries came together last week for a ribbon cutting to celebrate the opening of VEI’s new location in Murfreesboro.
The new clinic, located at 171 Heritage Dr. in Murfreesboro, is the result of Stones River Eye Center merging with VEI, which is part of the Vanderbilt Health system. It will provide comprehensive care including primary eye care, vision screenings, surgery and other treatments for disorders of the eye.
This move enables the original VEI clinic, located at 1821 Heritage Park Plaza, to transition into a dedicated facility for pediatric ophthalmology and retina subspecialty care.
David Ranz, MD, a local ophthalmologist who has practiced in the area for more than three decades, will be joined at the new clinic by Edward Chaum, MD, PhD, Eric Brown, MD, PhD, and Milam Brantley Jr., MD, PhD. They represent a combined 90 years of experience now available in the community.
“I’m thrilled to join the Vanderbilt Eye Institute’s growing practice and fortunate to continue providing quality eye care for the Murfreesboro community,” said Ranz who is board-certified in ophthalmology and has built a strong reputation in Murfreesboro. “It’s exciting to be part of the VEI network of experts who are unmatched in the region.”
Paul Sternberg Jr., MD, G.W. Hale Professor, chair of the Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences and director of the Vanderbilt Eye Institute, said at the ribbon cutting that one of his primary goals when he arrived in Nashville 20 years ago was growing and expanding the VEI, not just at the main Vanderbilt University Medical Center campus, but throughout Middle Tennessee.
“We looked to identify the best ophthalmology practices and bring them into our fold. We started in Williamson County in 2007 and shortly added practices in Wilson and Sumner counties, he said. “VEI now sees patients in more than a dozen locations throughout Tennessee and Kentucky and is the largest ophthalmology practice in a several-state region. Clearly, Rutherford County is one of the fastest growing areas in not only Middle Tennessee but in the nation, and became a key priority for our next flagship location.”
Sternberg, who is also Chief Medical Officer for VUMC, said although the satellite office has been in Murfreesboro for a decade, it became clear the Rutherford County community would benefit from a larger VEI presence.
“Dr. Ranz is beloved by his patients. He is a knowledgeable clinician, skilled surgeon and compassionate caregiver. Our success in consummating the merger of the Ranz practice with the Vanderbilt Eye Institute is historic, and I couldn’t be more thrilled — for Vanderbilt, for myself and for the citizens of Rutherford County.”
VEI covers every aspect of eye care, including eyeglasses, prescriptions, retinal degeneration, cataracts, ocular cancers, eye disease in premature infants, age-related ophthalmic conditions in the elderly and more.
The ribbon-cutting was held by the Rutherford County Chamber of Commerce and attended by community leaders. Remarks were made by physicians, VUMC leadership and members of the business community.
Patients can make an appointment at the new clinic by calling 615-896-2551 or visiting https://www.vanderbilthealth.com/service-line/vanderbilt-eye-institute.
