Cookeville Regional Medical Center CEO Buffy Key Presents at 2026 American Hospital Association Annual Membership Meeting

Buffy Key, CEO of Cookeville Regional Medical Center (CRMC), recently attended and presented at the 2026 American Hospital Association (AHA) Annual Membership Meeting, held April 19–21 in Washington, D.C.

Key served as a featured panelist on the session “How to Impact Public Policy: Becoming an Effective Advocate for Hospitals and Health Systems.” The panel brought together hospital leaders and senior policy officials to share successful strategies for advancing key policy issues at the federal level.

Key was joined on the panel by Eric Fish, M.D., President and CEO of Schneck Medical Center; Thifeen Deen, Senior Associate Director of Federal Relations at the American Hospital Association; and Ted Sacasa, Senior Associate Director of Federal Relations at the American Hospital Association.

The AHA Annual Membership Meeting is the premier national gathering for hospital and health system leaders, offering the opportunity to engage directly with policymakers, legislators, and thought leaders on the most pressing issues facing American healthcare. This year’s program focused on AHA’s key advocacy priorities, equipping attendees to make their voices heard on Capitol Hill.

“It was an honor to participate in this important national conversation,” said Key. “Advocating for our patients, our community and our hospital at the federal level is one of the most important things we can do as healthcare leaders. Healthcare policy is ever-changing and grassroots advocacy is key in keeping hospitals like CRMC on the front lines of healthcare legislation today. I am proud to represent Cookeville Regional Medical Center and the people we serve.”

Cookeville Regional Medical Center remains committed to engaging with national policy leaders to ensure that the needs of rural and community hospitals are represented in healthcare legislation and advocacy efforts.

Photo: Buffy Key, CEO speaking on the panel alongside Eric Fish, M.D., President and CEO of Schneck Medical Center; Thifeen Deen, Senior Associate Director of Federal Relations at the American Hospital Association; and Ted Sacasa, Senior Associate Director of Federal Relations at the American Hospital Association.