April 22, 2026 — Encompass Health Corp. (NYSE: EHC) and Cookeville Regional Medical Center today announced plans to build a freestanding, 40-bed inpatient rehabilitation hospital on the Cookeville Regional Medical Center campus in Cookeville, Tennessee.
“We’re proud to partner with Cookeville Regional Medical Center to address the growing demand for inpatient rehabilitation care in the Upper Cumberland Region, a premier retirement destination with a rapidly aging population,” said Abe Sims, president of Encompass Health’s MidAtlantic region. “By expanding access to high-quality inpatient rehabilitation services closer to home, patients will no longer need to travel to Knoxville or Nashville to regain independence following an illness or injury.”
The hospital will serve patients recovering from stroke and other neurological conditions, brain and spinal cord injuries, amputations and complex orthopedic issues. In addition to 24-hour nursing care, the hospital will provide physical, occupational and speech therapies to help patients restore function and improve quality of life. Care will be delivered by an interdisciplinary team of specialized nurses, therapists and physicians.
“This state-of-the-art facility is designed to support patients recovering from serious illness, injury or surgery,” said Buffy Key, chief executive officer at Cookeville Regional Medical Center. “With advanced therapy equipment, individualized care plans and a highly trained team, we will help patients regain their independence and enhance their quality of life. A key feature that sets this facility apart is that every room will be private — reflecting both our and Encompass Health’s strong commitment to patient comfort throughout the recovery process.”
In addition to all private patient rooms, the hospital will include a state-of-the-art therapy gym equipped with advanced rehabilitation technologies, an activities of daily living suite, an in-house dialysis suite, a dining room, a pharmacy and an outdoor therapy courtyard.
Encompass Health began managing Cookeville Regional Medical Center’s existing 20-bed inpatient rehabilitation unit, located on their campus, on Jan. 1, 2026. The unit will remain operational during construction of the hospital, and those 20 beds will be contributed toward the hospital once completed. The hospital, expected to open in 2027, will be part of Encompass Health’s national network of inpatient rehabilitation hospitals and the Company’s 12th location in Tennessee.
About Encompass Health Encompass Health (NYSE: EHC) is the largest owner and operator of inpatient rehabilitation hospitals in the United States. With a national footprint that includes 174 hospitals in 39 states and Puerto Rico, the Company provides high-quality, compassionate rehabilitative care for patients recovering from a major injury or illness, using advanced technology and innovative treatments to maximize recovery. Encompass Health is recognized as America’s Most Awarded Leader in Inpatient Rehabilitation by Newsweek and Statista and is ranked among Fortune’s World’s Most Admired Companies™, Forbes’ America’s Best Companies and Becker’s Healthcare’s Top Places to Work in Healthcare. For more information, visit encompasshealth.com, or follow us on our newsroom, X, Instagram and Facebook.
