Cookeville Regional Medical Center Welcomes Ann Marie Holas-Dryps as Chief Operating Officer

Cookeville Regional Medical Center is pleased to announce the appointment of Ann Marie Holas-Dryps as its new Chief Operating Officer. Holas-Dryps joins the 309-bed organization with more than a decade of distinguished healthcare leadership experience dedicated to expanding access, elevating quality and delivering exceptional patient care across the communities she serves.

“Her appointment reflects our commitment to bringing exceptional leaders into our organization who share our mission of delivering high-quality, compassionate care to the people of Cookeville and the surrounding region,” said Buffy Key, Chief Executive Officer of Cookeville Regional Medical Center. “Ann Marie’s proven record of building collaborative teams and driving meaningful outcomes makes her an outstanding addition to our leadership team.”

In her new role, Holas-Dryps will oversee day-to-day operations across Cookeville Regional, with a focus on strengthening clinical services, supporting caregivers and enhancing the overall patient experience. She will work closely with physicians, clinical staff and community partners to ensure the delivery of coordinated, high-quality care close to home.

Most recently, Holas-Dryps served as System Vice President of the Norton Heart & Vascular Institute, where she led cardiovascular services across multiple hospitals and clinics. Under her leadership, the institute expanded patient access to care, introduced advanced treatment options and achieved meaningful improvements in quality outcomes while reducing hospital readmissions.

Widely recognized for her collaborative leadership style, Holas-Dryps has built a reputation for forging strong partnerships with physicians, clinical teams and community providers to create care models that put patients first. Her approach centers on empowering frontline caregivers and fostering a culture of continuous improvement.

“I am honored to join the Cookeville Regional family and to serve a community that deserves the very best in healthcare,” said Holas-Dryps. “I look forward to working alongside our talented team of caregivers and partners to build on the strong foundation here and to create an even brighter future for our patients and the region.”

Holes-Dryps fills the vacant seat that was once held by Buffy Key before she was promoted Chief Executive Officer in August 2023.

Holas-Dryps holds a Master of Business Administration in Healthcare Administration and a Bachelor of Science in Biology. She is a Fellow of both the American College of Cardiology and the American College of Healthcare Executives, and serves on the board of the American Heart Association.