Residency Program Leadership

Lauren Swift, MD 

Dr. Lauren Swift is the Program Director for the Pediatric Residency Program. Dr. Swift grew up in Tulsa, Oklahoma. She attended Kilgore College where she was a World Famous Kilgore College Rangerette and transferred to the University of Oklahoma to complete her degree in Zoology. She earned her medical degree from the University of Oklahoma and went on to complete her pediatric residency training at the University of Louisville. She served as a chief resident at the University of Louisville and then joined the Department of Pediatrics Hospital Medicine Division at East Tennessee State University. She is beginning her second year as Pediatric Program Director and works as a hospitalist at Niswonger Children’s Hospital. She and her husband enjoy spending time with their two dogs, urban farming (she has 11 chickens!) and collecting vinyl records. In their free time they enjoy all outdoor activities and trying new restaurants and breweries around town.  She may be reached at (423) 439-8766 or by email at SWIFTLN@etsu.edu and will be glad to talk with you about our residency program. 

Rachel Lindsey, MD

Dr. Rachel Lindsey is one of our Associate Program Directors and helps you receive a sound pediatric education. She may be reached by email at lindseyr@etsu.edu and will be glad to talk with you about our residency program. 

Jodi Gage, MD

Dr. Jodi Gage is one of the Co-Associate Program Directors for the Pediatric Residency Program. She attended East Tennessee State University where she received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology in three years. She earned her medical degree from Quillen College of Medicine, East Tennessee State University and went on to complete her pediatric residency training - also at ETSU. So, her blood really does bleed blue and gold! Dr. Gage grew up a little bit of everywhere…her Dad was a career Army Officer and she moved every three to four years growing up. (So, she really doesn’t have a “hometown.”) However, she apparently loved Northeast Tennessee so much that she never left! After completing her Pediatric training she remained in Johnson City where she was in private practice for over seventeen years. In 2018, she came back to where it all started and joined the Department of Pediatrics at ETSU working in the General Pediatrics Outpatient Clinic. And, she loved working with the residents so much that she became the co-Associate Program Director in 2020! She married her college sweetheart (a native of Johnson City) during medical school and they have three children all very active in sports. She has a special place in her heart for children with special needs and she loves working with them and their special families to make sure they have every opportunity available to them so they can reach their fullest potential. You can reach Dr. Gage at gagejb@etsu.edu if you have questions about the program.