These activities are ongoing with options for engagement throughout the year.
Church Hill Medical Mission
Description: This activity is mediated by the Family Medicine Interest Group (FMIG). Church Hill
Medical Mission provides free general medical care and Christian support to uninsured
residents of Hawkins and Hancock Counties and the Tri-cities community in Northeast
TN. Medical students can volunteer for Tuesday evening clinic which occurs from 5:30pm-8pm
during the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th week of each month. Tasks can vary, but typically include
precepting with physicians, helping in the pharmacy, or assisting with other clinical
needs. Please call the clinic the day of service to verify it is open prior to driving
out, or text Dr. Flores, although sometimes she may be out of the country.
Dates/times: Listed on sign-up sheet.
Location: 401 Richmond Street, Church Hill TN - See Location Map.
Contact(s): At the clinic: Kathy Christian at CHMM 423-256-2408, or Dr. Emily Flores 864-940-2243. FMIG contacts are Anisha Dash (dasha1@etsu.edu) and Marina Botros (botrosm@etsu.edu).
How to sign-up: Please try to sign up by Monday the week prior to your service day (8 days prior). Sign up at the following link - Church Hill MM Sign Up
Niswonger Children's Hospital Volunteering
Description: Our local children’s hospital is often in need of extra hands to work in all areas.
Medical student volunteers can assist with answering phones, watching monitors, feeding
NICU patients, and anything else that the nurses and staff may need extra help with.
Announcements about specific units needing help will be shared in the GroupMe, and
sign-ups are on the spreadsheet.
Dates/times: On spreadsheet listed below
Location: Niswonger Children's Hospital
How to sign-up: Niswonger Volunteering Schedule
Providence Medical Clinic
Description: Providence Medical Clinic is a free, faith-based medical clinic serving the 150-160% & below poverty guidelines living in Sullivan County and the Greater Kingsport Area, offering free acute and primary medical care. They continue to have needs for volunteers in their Thursday Evening Clinic, which opens at 4pm and is normally completed by 8:30pm. They also have day clinic where there are opportunities for volunteers to serve. Call/text Dannie Dingus before you go so they will know to expect you and can assign you to a preceptor.
Dates/times: Thursdays starting at 4pm
Location: 441 Clay Street, Kingsport, TN
Contact: Dannie Dingus (423-754-2746)
How to sign-up: Fill out volunteer application and contact Dannie Dingus.
Preparing Meals at Ronald McDonald House
Description: Quillen students will prepare dinner once a month for the families staying at the Ronald McDonald House who have children being treated in the Niswonger Children’s Hospital! There are 5 volunteer spots to cook per month. Donations will be collected to cover the cost of the groceries needed for the meals, and those who sign up to cook will be encouraged to split any remaining cost of the groceries. If you’re unable to help cover the cost of groceries, let Laken know and it will be covered for you! Laken will reach out to those signed up sometime before your volunteer date to help plan for recipes, grocery shopping, etc!
Dates/times: One day per month. Dates will continue to be added throughout the year. See sign-up
sheet for specific dates!
Location: Ronald McDonald House, 418 N. State of Franklin Rd, Johnson City, TN 37604
Contact: Laken Bevins (M2) bevinslk@etsu.edu, 423-431-8906
How to sign-up: Preparing Meals at RMH (Each month is on a different sheet.)
How to donate: Venmo @QCOM2025 with the memo “RMH Meals” RMH Meals Venmo Link
QCOM-Defenders of Potential
Description: Big Brothers Big Sisters of America is a national organization that matches adults with local youth ages 6-16 with the intent to establish safe and trusting mentorships. QCOM-Defenders of Potential is an interest group that recruits Quillen medical students and assists them with becoming a “Big” involved with the local branch of Big Brothers Big Sisters.
The process of applying will include an interview, background check with fingerprinting, and the completion of a brief online training curriculum. Following a successful application, BBBS will match applicants with an enrolled youth who they feel will be a good fit based on personality traits, common interests, etc.
Once matched, the mentorship of your “Little” begins. The mentorship is informal and can be whatever Bigs and their Littles make it. Outings can be any activity that Bigs and Littles find interest in and are approved by BBBS. It can be as simple as going out to eat and talking about your Little’s week at school.
Requirements: Big Brothers Big Sisters requires a minimum of a one-year commitment. Many of the kids enrolled in the program have unstable home lives. Having a consistent mentor for a year is important for them to build a trusting relationship. Hourly requirements include 2-4 hours at a time for a minimum of twice per month. Those currently active in BBBS feel this is a very attainable requirement that can be surpassed even with a busy medical school schedule. Outings can be planned on weekdays or weekends based around your study/clerkship schedule. QCOM-DOP have developed an excellent relationship with the staff at BBBS, and they are understanding of the demands of medical school.
Why be a Big? This is a unique opportunity that allows students to positively impact some of the most vulnerable members of the community with a long-term and direct relationship. As one member noted, “this has provided me with experiences that have helped me to grow as a person, as a servant, and as a leader in ways that will benefit me in my future practice.”
Contact(s): Haddon Hill (QCOM-DOP President): 865-809-5155, hillhc1@etsu.edu
Melissa Dixon (Big Brothers Big Sisters of East Tennessee) mdixon@tennesseebig.org
How to sign-up: BBBS East TN Volunteer App