Cookeville Regional Celebrates Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting for New Clinic Spaces in Renovated Tennessee Heart Building

Cookeville Regional Medical Center (CRMC) and Tennessee Heart held a grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony for two newly relocated and renovated clinic spaces: the Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehabilitation Center and the Cardiothoracic and Vascular (CV) Surgery Office.

This 20,000 square foot expansion moves the mark in a new chapter of growth and enhanced care for CRMC’s cardiovascular services.The Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehabilitation Center, now located in Suite 301, officially began seeing patients in its new space on April 28. Certified by the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation (AACVPR), the center offers personalized, multidisciplinary rehab plans for patients recovering from cardiac or lung surgeries or procedures. It also

provides a wellness program where patients can continue their fitness journey for just $50 a month.

“This new space is a dream for our patients,” said Debbie Baker, Director of the Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehabilitation Center. “We have a new, beautiful, much larger space to welcome our patients, whom we love, and the wellness members as well.”

From the left is Cheryl Sandlin, CRMC Board of Trustees Outgoing Chair; Wayne Nabors, County Clerk; Putnam County Sheriff Eddie Farris; Dr. Stacy Brewington, Tennessee Heart Interventional Cardiologist; Luke Hill, CRMC Chief Legal Counsel; Chevelle Johnson, Associate Chief Nursing Officer at CRMC; Angel Lewis, CRMC Chief Human Resource Officer; Buffy Key, CRMC Chief Executive Officer; Dr. Billy Parsons, cardiothoracic surgeon; Dr. Timothy Powell, cardiothoracic surgeon; Tommye Rena Wells, CRMC Chief Financial Officer; Dr. Bruce Johnson, CRMC Chief Medical Officer; Tim McDermott, CRMC Chief Information Officer; Cookeville City Mayor Laurin Wheaton; Cookeville-Putnam County Chamber of Commerce Chief Executive Officer Amy New; Cookeville Vice Mayor Luke Eldridge; and Thomas Lynn, Chairman of the board at First National Bank.

The Cardiothoracic and Vascular (CV) Surgery Office, located in Suite 201, opened to patients on April 14. This modern, patient-centered space is now home to Dr. Timothy J. Powell, Dr. Billy Parsons, and Dr. Michael Sywak—renowned surgeons in cardiothoracic and vascular care.

“This office is a beautiful new space for patients to come and meet with their surgeon pre- and post-operation,” said Dr. Bruce Johnson, Chief Medical Officer at CRMC. “Having the rehab center directly above the cardiothoracic and vascular surgeon’s office and across from our interventional cardiologists, electrophysiologists and cardiac imaging team enhances continuity of care and makes recovery more seamless for our patients.”

From the left is Cookeville Vice Mayor Luke Eldridge; Cheryl Sandlin, CRMC Board of Trustees Outgoing Chair; Wayne Nabors, County Clerk; Luke Hill, CRMC Chief Legal Counsel; Chevelle Johnson, Associate Chief Nursing Officer at CRMC; Angel Lewis, CRMC Chief Human Resource Officer; Dr. Carlos Podesta, Tennessee Heart Interventional Cardiologist; Deborah Baker, Director of the Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehabilitation; Dr. Vertilio Cornielle, Tennessee Heart Interventional Cardiologist; Buffy Key, CRMC Chief Executive Officer; Tommye Rena Wells, CRMC Chief Financial Officer; Dr. Bruce Johnson, CRMC Chief Medical Officer; Tim McDermott, CRMC Chief Information Officer; Dr. Stacy Brewington, Tennessee Heart Interventional Cardiologist; Putnam County Sheriff Eddie Farris; Cookeville City Mayor Laurin Wheaton; Cookeville-Putnam County Chamber of Commerce Chief Executive Officer Amy New; and Thomas Lynn, Chairman of the board at First National Bank.

Both locations share the newly renovated Tennessee Heart building, offering a centralized and cohesive space for cardiovascular treatment and recovery. Parking is available on both sides of the building, and guests are encouraged to enter through the bottom floor doors under the breezeway.

The original Tennessee Heart building is around 23,000 square feet. This expansion will bring the total square feet to 43,000.

“We are thrilled to see this expansion come to life for our patients and the community,” said Dr. Stacy Brewington, interventional cardiologist at Tennessee Heart. “This has been a long-standing vision for me and my fellow cardiologists, and it’s incredibly rewarding to see it fully realized. With 13 cardiologists now part of our growing practice, the additional space allows us to better serve our patients with greater efficiency and comfort. We are excited to welcome patients into this new chapter at Tennessee Heart.”

For more information, contact:

• Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehab Center: (931) 783-2689
• CV Surgery Office: (931) 783-4269