News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
Cookeville Regional Medical Center has found a new buyer for Celina’s Cumberland River Hospital.
A resolution approved by the CRMC Board of Trustees on Thursday scraps the previous deal with Celina Healthcare.
CRMC CEO Paul Korth said a new venture will now begin with Rural Hospitals & Clinics of America.
“Both individuals that we’ve been talking to, one wanted to do one thing and one wanted to do another. I think this is a perfect fit for the community,” Korth said. “It will provide access to healthcare, jobs to the area, and at some point in time a facility opened back up into a medical center that it needs to be.”
Korth said Celina Healthcare had indicated plans to operate a home health facility, ultimately leading to the latest deal.
Cumberland River’s assets will be sold for $200,000 and the home health license will be sold to the original bidder for total of $300,000, Korth said.
“We are almost done with all the paperwork for it, so this can happen very very quickly,” Korth said. “We’re actually hoping that we have the close of the property on August 2, which will give him the ability to start putting together the things that he needs to do to provide those healthcare services to the community.”
Rural Hospitals and Clinics of America is owned and operated by Crossville resident Johnny Presley. Korth said Presley has an interest in running the hospital as a medical center.
“He is a nurse practitioner and has recently opened up a clinic in Crossville,” Koth said. “He’s been practicing medicine up there for many years, so I feel confident about him being able to put together a clinic and services for Clay County folks that have healthcare needs.”
The Cookeville City Council will consider the resolution during their August 2nd meeting.
