Cookeville Regional has launched a new 24/7 teleneurology partnership with Ascension Saint Thomas to expand access to advanced stroke and neurological care for patients across the Upper Cumberland.
Cookeville Regional CEO Buffy Key said the agreement strengthens local care by keeping patients in the region while adding immediate access to board-certified neurologists. The service is designed to support rapid evaluation and treatment during neurological emergencies.
“Our focus is always the patient and keeping them in our community while delivering the highest level of care. Partnerships help us do that,” Key said. “This collaboration allows us to enhance our existing stroke program with immediate access to specialized neurologic expertise, supporting faster diagnosis and treatment decisions, without the need for patients to travel.”
The teleneurology service uses secure, real-time telehealth technology to connect onsite clinicians with Ascension Saint Thomas neurologists around the clock. Specialists assist with evaluation of stroke symptoms and other urgent neurological conditions while working directly with the hospital care team.
Hospital leaders said the service helps determine whether patients can be treated locally or require transfer for higher-level care. Faster evaluations can be lifesaving and may reduce the number of patient transfers outside the Upper Cumberland.
Ascension Saint Thomas Regional Hospitals President and Chief Executive Officer Neal Kelley said the partnership supports timely care for patients experiencing neurologic emergencies. The agreement extends specialty expertise to a region that already relies on Cookeville Regional Medical Center for stroke treatment.
“Cookeville Regional Medical Center is a trusted provider of stroke care for this region,” Kelley said. “We are proud to support CRMC’s mission by extending our neurologic support to help patients receive high-quality care as quickly and safely as possible.”
Cookeville Regional Medical Center serves more than 340,000 residents across 14 counties and operates as a city-owned regional referral center with 289 beds. Hospital officials said the teleneurology agreement continues ongoing efforts to expand specialized services while keeping advanced care close to home.