Cookeville Regional received the 75-year Legacy of Leadership Award from the American Hospital Association during a Thursday board meeting.
CEO Buffy Key said the award commemorates the hospital’s long-standing partnership with the national organization and its commitment to local healthcare leadership. Key said the recognition is significant because it highlights the hospital’s active role in shaping federal healthcare policy.
“It is huge, especially right now, healthcare policy seems to be changing every day,” Key said. “And so being able to be on those regional policy boards and things like that is really a blessing for this hospital to be able to have our voices heard on a federal level.”
AHA Regional Executive Rebecca Jolly said the award honors the longevity of the facility and the foundation laid by previous leaders to serve the community. Jolly said the hospital acts as a critical resource for patients during both the best and hardest days of their lives.
“To me, this isn’t about our relationship, this is about the longevity of this facility here in this community, serving the needs of every single patient that has walked through the doors for the past 75 years,” Jolly said. “This is about the the leadership, the board, that came before you all in the foundation that they poured so that we can be standing here today and looking forward to celebrating another 75 years here in this community.”
Key said the hospital leadership focuses on educating state and federal legislators about the specific impacts that insurance, Medicare, and Medicaid policies have on local patients. Key said she recently spoke on a panel in the nation’s capital to advocate for the needs of hospitals.
“My big talking point was to just always continue to educate positively because, you know, they’ve got a lot on their plate, federal politicians have a lot and state politicians, they all have a lot on their plate,” Key said. “So to tell them who Cookeville Regional is and what its impact to us, it’s important.”
Board of Trustees Chairman Daniel Rader said the hospital serves as both a vital medical resource for the region and a primary economic driver for the community. Rader said the institution has provided essential services to neighbors and families for decades.
“(I’m) really pleased with the longevity of the hospital and hope to be here when you get the century-long award as a citizen,” Rader said.
Key said the hospital must continue its focus on patient care and facility improvements to ensure it remains a fixture in the community for another 75 years. Key said without the hospital, Cookeville residents would have to search elsewhere for emergency medical care.
“Time is of the essence when you have an emergency and we are here for you,” Key said.