Clayton McWhorter, with CEO experience with both HealthTrust and HCA, creates LifeTrust America with $30 million. The new company specializes in assisted-living communities.

This same year, McWhorter launches Clayton Associates, an investment firm that will sow the seeds for many of Nashville’s future health care successes. He also donates $10 million to Samford University’s pharmacy school, which is renamed the McWhorter School of Pharmacy. And lastly, also in 1996, McWhorter collaborates with Belmont University to launch the Center for Entrepreneurship as a resource for start-up ventures. His son, Stuart, eventually goes on to be CEO.

In fall 2004, LifeTrust America sells to Massachusetts-based Five Star Quality Care Inc. for $208 million and shutters its Franklin office.