New Cookeville Rehabilitation Hospital Highlights Growing Need for Healthcare Workforce

A new healthcare facility coming to Cookeville is bringing additional services to the Upper Cumberland while highlighting the continued importance of building a strong healthcare workforce across the region.

Cookeville Regional Medical Center and Encompass Health are developing a new 40-bed inpatient rehabilitation hospital at 215 W. Sixth St. on the CRMC campus. The partners held a groundbreaking ceremony Sept. 14 for the freestanding facility, which is expected to provide inpatient rehabilitation services to patients throughout the Upper Cumberland.

The hospital will serve patients recovering from illnesses, injuries, surgeries and other medical conditions. As healthcare services continue to expand, facilities like this create opportunities not only for patients but also for people pursuing careers in healthcare and related fields.

Healthcare and social assistance has been one of Tennessee's strongest sources of job growth. State data released this summer showed that healthcare and social assistance led all sectors in job gains over the previous year, with more than 10,000 jobs added statewide between July 2025 and July 2026.

That growth reinforces the importance of developing career pathways that connect people with healthcare education, training and employment opportunities. A growing healthcare sector needs professionals across a wide range of occupations, from clinical roles to administrative, technical, support and facility positions.

Workforce Connections helps support that pipeline by working with employers and job seekers across the Upper Cumberland. Programs such as Registered Apprenticeship and Incumbent Worker Training can help employers develop existing employees and build pathways into careers, while American Job Center services connect job seekers with career guidance, training opportunities and employers.

The need for healthcare talent is expected to continue. Tennessee projects more than 80,000 new healthcare and social assistance jobs statewide by 2030, making workforce development an important part of preparing communities for continued growth in the industry.

As construction moves forward on the new Cookeville rehabilitation hospital, the project represents more than an expansion of healthcare services. It is another reminder of the opportunities available in healthcare and the importance of connecting people with the skills and training needed to fill them.

For employers looking to strengthen their healthcare workforce or individuals exploring a career in the industry, Workforce Connections is available to help connect talent, training and opportunity across the Upper Cumberland.