Care close to home
When Judy Cox’s husband suffered a cardiac episode, the couple rushed to TriStar Mt. Juliet ER, a freestanding emergency room on Golden Bear Drive. After he was stabilized, he was transferred to TriStar Summit Medical Center, where cardiologist Dr. Muhammad Asad diagnosed a coronary blockage. He was referred to TriStar Centennial Medical Center for coronary artery bypass surgery.
“Dr. Asad was completely fantastic,” said Judy. “He took amazing care of my husband, making sure he was accessible and going out of his way to make sure that everything was handled. He even gave us his cell phone number so we could call if there were any problems.”
“I believe that healing is more than completing procedures,” said Dr. Asad. “It takes the little things – being treated close to home and by providers that you trust. We want to take care of our community members with amazing, high-quality care right here in our own backyard.”
With her husband recovering, Judy asked Dr. Asad for a recommendation for a pacemaker specialist. She had lived with a pacemaker for more than 20 years and wanted a provider closer to home after her previous physician in Lebanon retired. She was looking for someone experienced, with expertise and compassion.
“I was scared and didn’t know who to pick. Then Dr. Asad referred me to Dr. Bashian,” said Judy. “I felt so relieved knowing I had specialized healthcare close to home. Now I have amazing new providers, all because of a trip to an emergency room. This is the only place my family will go for emergent care.”
Judy said she wants others to know about the options available through Centennial Heart.
“I want people to know they have choices, wonderful choices in the cardiologists,” she said. “Someone helped me find these providers, and I want others to know they’re here.”
Today, Judy and her husband now see the providers at TriStar Summit. She believes additional healthcare options in Lebanon would drastically improve quality of life for Wilson County residents. Having been a prominent realtor for many years, Judy can attest to the rapid growth of the county, especially in Lebanon.
“When I ask what brings people to Tennessee, specifically Lebanon, they say it’s conveniently located,” she said. “In two-thirds of a day, I can make it to most of the state.”
She added that people often choose where to live based on the availability of quality healthcare and how easily they can access it.
“People want to have care,” she said. “They don’t want to fight traffic to drive into the city. They want major healthcare close within an hour, especially specialists like cardiologists and emergency care.”
Judy said Lebanon’s growth could support more healthcare options.
“We need to give people choices,” she said. “Lebanon serves as a hub for many smaller eastern communities, like Watertown. Our goal is to provide quality healthcare in the same places where people shop, eat and entertain.”
As of right now, Judy is pleased with her care and looks forward to the opening of Centennial Heart’s satellite clinic on Hartmann Drive in Lebanon, expected in 2026.