For Cookeville Regional Medical Center’s Buffy Key, the journey from active duty military service to CEO of the area’s biggest hospital has been one guided by a servant’s heart and dedication to those around her. 

“My biggest treasure is being able to serve our community and region at Cookeville Regional Medical Center. This is home. Having my entire immediate family live here, gives me an even stronger commitment to aiding the teams at CRMC in taking care of our people; our people taking care of our people!” Key continued, “Cookeville has always been a special place and community for me. Having grown up here, there truly is no place more important and significant to me given the work that we do. This community, and the ties that we all share is integral in everything that we try to do at the medical center on a day in day out basis. We are always trying to bring every service that is practically possible to this area. Cookeville has always been home to me, and I am proud to represent this community and region.”

Following eight years in the Army and National Guard, Key originally joined CRMC as a scientist before ascending to lab manager and director. And, following a stint as Administrative Director of Clinical Laboratory Services at Vanderbilt, Key returned to Cookeville Regional to take a leadership role in quality improvement before accepting the position of Chief Operating Officer in 2021. 

On this, she stated,  “I began my tenure as a medical laboratory scientist at Cookeville General Hospital in 1994, and I have served many roles throughout my career here. Returning in 2011, I knew that Cookeville was where I wanted to spend the rest of my career in giving back to the place that brought me to where I am today. My goal has always been to give every opportunity a chance in hopes that I could better myself and those who receive care here. The idea of being a CEO never crossed my mind, but I am continually honored by the teams that I am able to work with every day at CRMC, doing so with the belief that bringing exceptional care to the people of this community and region is what we all deserve. I am so blessed to be able to be a part of that at CRMC.”

Beyond garnering respect as a leader within CRMC, Key has received recognition and a seat at some of the most influential tables in the state. In 2023, Governor Bill Lee appointed her to serve on the State of Tennessee Lab Board and most recently she was appointed to sit on the Tennessee Hospital Association Board of Trustees.

Through her role as CEO, Buffy is a person of tremendous impact on those who call the Upper Cumberland home. The decisions she makes, literally alter the course of healthcare in the region. Her people-first approach, disarming personality, experience working in a variety of roles within the hospital before leading it, and quick mind, combine to form the ideal captain of the ship that is CRMC. 

She stated, “Having always wanted to be a physician, God had different plans for me. I just hope that I can be one small piece of making our region THE center for exceptional care. If, in my role, I am able to help one person in this area receive the blessings that they deserve, I am extremely blessed.”

We are all blessed to have such a kind, competent leader calling the shots at CRMC, and it’s a true pleasure celebrating 2024 Influential Person Buffy Key. 

– written by Andrew Buckner, photos by Abby Weeden