Zoo To Open HCA Healthcare Veterinary Center On Feb. 23

Nashville Zoo will open its state-of-the-art HCA Healthcare Veterinary Center to the public on Saturday, Feb. 23 after a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 9:30 a.m. This facility is a destination for visitors to discover firsthand how animal care is delivered.

Designed by ESa (Earl Swensson Associates), the 23,000+ square foot Veterinary Center stands out as one of the best animal hospitals in the country, not only from a design standpoint, but also because of its LEED Silver certification for sustainable building design and operations.

Offering efficient design, integrated technology in every room and procedure viewing areas for the public, this facility matches the incredible daily care the veterinary and keeper staff administer to the thousands of animals at Nashville Zoo. Holding more than 200 visitors, the outdoor multi-level viewing area in front of the treatment, surgery, bird brooding and neonatal animal care rooms will allow Zoo guests access to see what is happening behind the scenes, such as routine exams, surgeries and neonatal care.

“It’s one of the proudest moments of my life,” said Dr. Heather Robertson, Nashville Zoo Director of Veterinary Services. “Our veterinary team has been working in an antiquated facility where we’ve been performing the highest level of care. Now we’re able to work in a facility that meets the care that we’ve been giving.”
Construction of the Veterinary Center is of utmost importance to the development of Nashville Zoo. The former veterinary facility was built in 1989 for a small collection of indigenous species when the property was under the management of Grassmere Wildlife Park. Nashville Zoo’s tremendous growth over the past 21 years and the planned doubling of the animal collection over the next eight years highlighted a need for a new, comprehensive medical facility.

Nashville Zoo’s HCA Healthcare Veterinary Center was funded through a public-private partnership between the city of Nashville, HCA Healthcare and with support from generous private donors including The Frist Foundation and the Cal Turner Family Foundation.

About Nashville Zoo
Nashville Zoo is accredited by the prestigious Association of Zoos and Aquariums, assuring the highest standards of animal care and husbandry. Attracting more than 1,000,000 visitors annually, the Zoo is considered one of the top things to do in Nashville. The Zoo is a non-profit organization located at 3777 Nolensville Pike and is open every day except Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day. The mission of Nashville Zoo is to inspire a culture of understanding and discovery of our natural world through conservation, innovation and leadership. For more information about Nashville Zoo, call 615-833-1534 or visit www.nashvillezoo.org.