The Cookeville Regional Board of Trustees recognized Mayor Laurin Wheaton for her years of service as she attended her final meeting as a board member.
Board Chairman Danny Rader said Wheaton held various committee roles during her tenure. Rader said the mayor previously served as the board chairman for one year while balancing her city responsibilities and personal employment.
“You’ve been just a tireless advocate for CRMC on the board and as the Mayor of the city of Cookeville,” Rader said. “I appreciate and I know everybody on the board appreciates all your dedication and all that you do. Everybody knows that the Mayor serves on this board but you serve on lots of other boards, the UCDD board, the airport board, UCHRA, I don’t know how many others but you spend hours and hours working with this board trying to help improve CRMC again for our patients, for our friends, families and neighbors.”
Board Member Alma Anderson said Wheaton personally reached out to her when she was first nominated to join the board to discuss the requirements of the position. Anderson said the mayor has vetted most of the current board members.
“It wasn’t just a phone call, she wanted to meet with me and discuss with me what this job entailed and it showed me her passion for the Cookeville Regional Medical Center and also her passion for Cookeville in general to make sure that we’re in a good place and I’ve really appreciated getting to work with her these years,” Anderson said.
CEO Buffy Key said it was an honor to have Wheaton serve as the representative for the City Council. Key said the mayor has been a dedicated member of the leadership team for years.
“This was one that I really got to pour myself into because this is what I know, this is my wheelhouse, being Mayor is not,” Wheaton said.
Wheaton said her background as a nurse practitioner allowed her to provide a unique perspective to the board during her five years of service. Wheaton said the local ownership of the medical center ensures that residents of Cookeville are the ones making the primary decisions for the facility.
“I always said Cookeville Regional being a local owned hospital means that people like us, people in this room, we are all Cookevillians because you have to live in the city,” Wheaton said. “We sit at the table and we make the decisions for this hospital. That’s who’s making the decisions for this hospital that cares for the community, not someone in Nashville, no offense, but it’s people who live in Cookeville and want to take care of this place.”
The board unanimously approved a resolution of appreciation for Wheaton that will be included in the official minutes of the medical center. Rader said the resolution honors her commitment to the healthcare needs of the Upper Cumberland region.
“I feel like I’m leaving y’all in good hands, we just got the Legacy Award and we just got some quality numbers that were the best I’ve ever seen, so y’all are welcome,” Wheaton said. “My job is done, I will, you know, leave on a good note here, but it has, it’s been an absolute honor.”
