Heritage Medical Center is the picture of health in Shelbyville. The $50 million hospital opened in 2008 on U.S. Highway 231 in the Airport Business Park, and replaced a nearly 60-year-old Bedford County Medical Center that was in a different location. The 100,000-square-foot center is across from Shelbyville Municipal Airport.

“The name Heritage Medical Center honors the area's history of medical care,” says CEO Dan Buckner. “We’re good at what we do here at this local community hospital, where the nurses and doctors are your next-door neighbors.”

The idea for Heritage Medical originated in the mid-2000s when the county realized it needed a new hospital, but wasn’t in the monetary position to undertake such a massive project. The decision was made to sell the old hospital to a private company – Brentwood, Tenn.-based Community Health System – which promised the county that a brand new medical center would be constructed in Bedford County by 2010.

CHS owns 74 hospitals in 22 states‚ and all are in similar non-urban areas such as Shelbyville. The new Heritage Medical has beds for 60 patients, reflecting on an overall national trend toward larger, private rooms and more outpatient treatment. “We're not trying to be the rich-and-famous, do-everything hospital,” Buckner says. “Our focus is our community.”

All patient rooms are on one floor, and Heritage Medical was constructed with four wings that are designed for expansion if needed. There are 320 hospital employees that include 27 active and 17 courtesy physicians.

Medical specialties include cardiology, family practice, gastroenterology, general surgery, gynecology, neurology, obstetrics, orthopedics, pediatrics, urology and vascular surgery. Its many services include a sleep center, wound care clinic, MRI imaging and dialysis treatment.

A few other services that Heritage Medical Center offers:

Health Connection

A community newsletter published several times a year to keep you updated on Heritage Medical Center happenings. Download the magazine from www.heritagemedicalcenter.com or call (931) 685-5592 to put your name on the mailing list for this free publication.

Senior Circle


A program committed to enriching the lives of adults ages 50 and better. When you join Senior Circle for just $15, your annual membership offers a generous selection of valuable discounts, activities and events, exercise and wellness classes, and a chapter newsletter and national publication subscription. Visit www.seniorcircle.com or call (931) 685-5433.

Healthy Woman


This program is a free community resource designed to empower women with the knowledge and confidence to make informed health care and well-being decisions for themselves and their loved ones. Visit www.heritagemedicalcenter.com or call (931) 685-5433.