(video by Vanderbilt University Medical Center)
Vanderbilt University Medical Center recently announced its new medical tower will be named the Jim Ayers Tower in honor of Jim and Janet Ayers’ philanthropic legacy and abiding interest in improving the lives of Tennesseans.
The 15-story building is the largest expansion to date for Vanderbilt University Hospital. Located between 21st Avenue and Medical Center Drive, the Jim Ayers Tower is expected to open its first floor in October 2025.
Ayers, a prominent Tennessee business leader and philanthropist, operates the Ayers Foundation Trust with his wife, Janet. The foundation supports education and social welfare initiatives for rural Tennessee residents.
In a recent interview, leaders from VUMC joined Jim and Janet Ayers to discuss how expanding health care services will impact the region.
How will the Jim Ayers Tower improve health care for patients in Tennessee?
Jim Ayers, Founder, Ayers Foundation Trust
“Vanderbilt delivers so much care that nobody else delivers. If Vanderbilt didn’t do it, I’m not sure I know who would. That’s what I expect the tower will bring to Vanderbilt: We are going to get some services that we have not had before.”
Jeff Balser, MD, PhD, President and CEO of VUMC, Dean of Vanderbilt University School of Medicine
“The new space is essential as we expand to meet the needs of our rapidly growing Middle Tennessee communities.
“The new structure will help us care for thousands of additional patients each year. And, importantly, it is designed to support the most state-of-the-art technologies to treat patients, assure safety, and above all, to make health care personal.
“For many people across the Mid-South, VUMC is where they can receive care for the most complex, difficult-to-treat diseases. So having the space, capacity and state-of-the-art facilities to fulfill that need for millions of people is really our highest priority.”
What additional services will be offered once the Jim Ayers Tower opens?
Balser
“With 470,000 square feet of space, the Jim Ayers Tower will initially open with 180 new adult inpatient beds, and there are five shelled floors for future expansion. The building will also include radiology services and a spacious lobby. During this expansion, we are adding 600 new parking spaces to the Central Garage and 44,000 square feet of space for operating rooms in the adjacent Medical Center East building.
“Among a vast array of specialized services, the Jim Ayers Tower enables expansion of our cardiac, transplant and neuroscience programs, allowing VUMC to provide these high-acuity and advanced services for many more people than today.”
Why did VUMC name the new medical tower after Jim Ayers?
C. Wright Pinson, MBA, MD, Deputy Chief Executive Officer and Chief Health System Officer for VUMC
“From rural Tennessee to Nashville and beyond the state, Janet and Jim Ayers have influenced education, research, patient care and much more. They are always thinking about people at all walks of life, at all levels of society, and how they can give them opportunities to better their lives.
“It is very befitting that this tower is going to be named in honor of Jim Ayers. He and Janet have helped in so many ways to make this a better state, to make this a better city and to make VUMC a better institution.”
Jim Ayers
“I cannot articulate how honored I am to see this. To have my name connected with empowering access to health care is the honor of a lifetime. This is not just a building but rather a space for families to receive care that can improve their lives.”
What is one thing you want people to think when they see the Jim Ayers Tower?
Janet Ayers, President, Ayers Foundation Trust
“Words and actions need to match. When we walk into Vanderbilt, where they talk about making health care personal, all means all. Everyone is welcome. Everyone receives superior care, and we felt it.
“I cannot think of two names that would work better together than Jim Ayers and Vanderbilt. When you look at that tower, you are going to think integrity, inclusive, all means all, quality. That is what it means to me to say Jim Ayers Tower.”
Heather O’Dell, MSN, ANP-BC, MMHC, Director, Abdominal Transplant Programs and Clinics, Vanderbilt Transplant Center
“The Jim Ayers Tower is the vision of many with hearts for this community. Those that believe in the power of this building and those who will work in it to transform lives. Jim and Janet Ayers are visionaries and true advocates for our community’s health. Their example will forever be a part of this structure and will echo in the stories of recovery, hope and healing that will be found inside its walls.”
Jim Ayers
“This building represents how much Janet and I value the well-being of everyone in the community, and it will stand as a reminder long into the future of the importance of helping people.”
