Buffy Key Appointed Interim CEO Of Cookeville Regional Medical Center

Cookeville Regional Medical Center Board of Trustees has appointed COO Buffy Key as its interim CEO.

The appointment was approved unanimously Thursday night at the recommendation of outgoing CEO Paul Korth. He said he had been preparing Key to serve as his successor since he began to think about his retirement several years ago.

“You know it just wasn’t the time a couple of years ago, we were just starting the pandemic and hopefully we’re on the back side of that,” Korth said. “But through all of that, one of the things that I have been doing is I’ve been giving the staff more and more stuff… And Buffy Key is one of those individuals I’ve been giving more responsibilities to.”

Key has been serving as the Chief Operating Officer since 2020. Before that role, Key served the medical center as the senior vice president for quality and operations.

Korth officially leaves the role in May. He said in the meantime, he will work with Key to ensure a smooth transition and help when needed.

“We are excited to move Buffy into the interim CEO position,” Board Chair Dr. Ernest Buchanan said. “With her prior experience here and at Vanderbilt, she has the background and leadership skills necessary to step into this role. She’s served both on the front the line and in management, giving her a unique perspective to running a hospital.”

The medical center’s Board of Trustees will develop a plan to appoint permanent CEO in the coming months.