Korth Projects CRMC Back To 95% By July

Cookeville Regional Medical Center CEO Paul Korth said it will likely take until July until the center returns to normal operations.

Korth said he projects operations will be back to 95 percent by July. Korth said hospital volume decreased 70 percent in April.

As of now, Korth projects COVID-19 will likely produce a $20 Million impact on the medical center.

Showing Cookeville City Council members a first look at the new fiscal year budget Monday, Korth projected a $5 million profit for the facility. Korth said Cookeville Regional has several potential growth areas in the new year, including a new neurosurgeon and cardiologist. However, COVID-19 will continue to hang over the facility.

Korth said he kept the budget conservative for the upcoming fiscal year. Korth said among his priorities after COVID-19 will be getting the 401K match back to three percent.

Korth’s team budgeted some $18 million in capital expenditures. Among the high priority items are replacing cath labs, improving parking and the purchase of a DAVINCI-XI robot for surgery. Korth said those items remain in the budget, but all capital expenditures are on hold until the current COVID-19 outbreak passes.