Cookeville Regional Medical Center Opens 4 West Patient Floor

Cookeville Regional Medical Center (CRMC) has officially opened its newest patient floor, 4 West, raising the hospital’s licensed bed count to 309.

The newly renovated floor adds 20 new patient beds to the existing 10, bringing the total unit capacity to 30 beds. The expansion completes the $23 million 4 West/5 West project that began three years ago.

Combined with the 20 new beds added when 5 West opened in December 2024, the total project has delivered 40 new beds to Cookeville Regional Medical Center fulfilling the full scope of the expansion as originally announced.

The 4 West floor features advanced medical technology, comfortable patient accommodations, a bariatric room and will serve as the new home of the neurology step-down unit, led by nursing director Laura Kee, R.N.

“For a community-owned medical center serving a large rural area, 309 is a major accomplishment and historic milestone for our community. We are excited to open these additional beds for our growing population,” said Buffy Key, CEO of Cookeville Regional Medical Center. “We care deeply about providing access and care to the people in our region so they can remain closer to home.”

Key noted that CRMC prioritized local hiring throughout the project, contracting with local subcontractors and generating an estimated $8 million to $10 million in economic impact for the surrounding community.

The completion of 4 West is part of CRMC’s broader strategic plan to expand services and infrastructure for a growing patient population across the Upper Cumberland region.

Photo: Front row from the left is Laura Kee, Director of 4West; Cheryl Sandlin, former CRMC Board member; Amy New, Cookeville Putnam County Chamber of Commerce President; Alma Anderson, CRMC Board Member; Danny Radar, Chairman of the CRMC Board of Trustees; Buffy Key, CEO of CRMC; Tommye Rena Wells, CFO of CRMC; Luke Hill, CLC of CRMC; Cookeville City Mayor Laurin Wheaton; Putnam County Mayor Randy Porter; Chad Gilbert, Cookeville City Councilman; and Kristy Hickson, Realty Trust Group.  Second row from the left is Sam Brooks, Vol State Upper Cumberland Regional Director; Justin Cumby, CRMC Board Member; Tim McDermott, CIO of CRMC; Dr. Bruce Johnson, CMO of CRMC; Amy Rich, CCO of CRMC; Jay Albrecht, CRMC Board Member; James Mills, Cookeville City Manager; and Matt Decker, Turner Construction.