On June 22nd, 2021, Ascension Saint Thomas Hospital Midtown and the Ascension Saint Thomas Foundation were pleased to partner with Root Nashville in planting the 100th tree honoring more than 100 years of service. Ascension Saint Thomas physicians, leaders and associates joined representatives from the office of the Mayor, the Cumberland River Compact, community members, and volunteers in celebrating the occasion. An initiative of Metro Nashville and the Cumberland River Compact, Root Nashville is a public-private campaign to create a “tree canopy” that will improve air quality, lower average daytime temperatures, reduce Nashvillians’ risk of heat-related illnesses, and boost water quality. Annually, these 100 trees will prevent an estimated 11,932 gallons of stormwater runoff, store 3,003 pounds of carbon, and remove seven pounds of pollutants from the atmosphere. Each tree will count towards Root Nashville’s goal of seeing 500,000 trees planted in Davidson County by 2050.Additional trees will provide shaded spaces for outdoor recreation and will beautify the urban landscape, thus supporting a healing environment and improving the physical and emotional well-being of our community. As of Earth Day, April 22, combined efforts across Nashville have led to the addition of more than 16,000 trees.Ascension Saint Thomas will continue to join Root Nashville in creating a greener, healthier Davidson County. New campus trees are made possible by the Ascension Saint Thomas Foundation’s Carrie Teaford Campus Beautification Fund.The fund was established in 2017 to honor the legacy of the late Carrie Teaford, a beloved community member and former hospital administrator.“We are grateful for those in our community who graciously supported this initiative with a charitable donation to the Carrie Teaford Campus Beautification Fund,” said Stacy Eaton-Carter, Annual Giving Manager, Ascension Saint Thomas Foundation. “To recognize their generosity, each tree will be adorned with a personalized plaque that includes the name of an individual who made a contribution to support this effort.”Any Middle Tennessean who would like to sponsor a tree on campus is encouraged to contribute online at this link.
