Quillen College of Medicine holds commencement ceremony
Class of 2021 is the 40th class to graduate from the medical school
JOHNSON CITY (May 6, 2021) – Seventy-three medical students received their doctoral hoods and took the Hippocratic Oath as new physicians at East Tennessee State University’s Quillen College of Medicine Commencement ceremony held on Thursday, May 6.
The Class of 2021 is Quillen’s 40th graduating class. Dr. William Block, a 1992 alumnus who now serves as ETSU vice president for clinical affairs and dean of Quillen College of Medicine, presided at the ceremony, which was held in-person at the ETSU Ballad Health Athletic Center (Mini Dome).
This ceremony was part of ETSU’s commencement weekend, which was expanded to four days to allow in-person ceremonies with health and safety protocols in place. These measures include required face coverings, limited attendance, physically distanced seating, enhanced cleaning protocols, and more. The commencement ceremonies were live-streamed for those unable to attend.
“This class has shown their resilience and determination throughout their four years at Quillen and especially during the last year when faced with the challenges of finishing their medical education during a global pandemic,” Block said. “I could not be prouder of Quillen’s 40th graduating class, and I am so excited to finally gather with them in person to celebrate their achievement.”
The class selected Dr. Thomas Kwasigroch and Dr. Jason Moore to present their doctoral hoods. In addition, 11 students were hooded by a physician relative.
Dr. James Ellzy, a 1996 Quillen alumnus, was the guest speaker. Ellzy is the Military Health System (MSH) GENESIS Clinical Champion for the Defense Health Agency. In this role, Ellzy advises and assists Defense Health Agency leadership on all matters pertaining to the Department of Defense’s new electronic health record (MHS GENESIS) as it applies to clinical policy and procedures. These duties include collaborating with the Veterans Health Administration.
Following Ellzy’s address, ETSU President Dr. Brian Noland presented the diplomas, and Dr. Wilsie Bishop, interim provost and senior vice president for academics, provided closing remarks.
This summer, the Quillen graduates will begin their residencies at programs across the country, such as ETSU, Johns Hopkins, University of Alabama, University of Florida, University of Louisville, University of Tennessee, Wake Forest and Vanderbilt.
Victoria Stabile is going to Vanderbilt University for her residency in anesthesiology. As she reflected on her time as a student at Quillen, she said classmates, faculty, staff and patients made her experience memorable.
“Our clinical education here is exceptional; we get to learn in a variety of different settings, including rural clinics and the VA Medical Center, and it allows us to gain a sense of comfort in working within different environments and systems,” Stabile said. “I'm going into anesthesia in a larger city, but I know how to advocate for my patients coming from more rural settings because of the education I've received from both Quillen and from our patients in the region.”
Chris Welch, who served in the U.S. Army for six and a half years, appreciates how Quillen supports veterans and the military community.
“My favorite memory of my time at Quillen was on Veterans Day during my first year in medical school, when our class leadership tricked the veterans into thinking that we had a mandatory administrative meeting,” said Welch, who will begin his residency with ETSU Health Family Medicine Kingsport. “When we showed up, we found out that, on their own, they put together a ceremony for us and had us individually stand up in front of the class while they told us how much we meant to them. It was profoundly touching.”
Two members of the class, Brooke Baxter Bartow and David Taylor, were recently inducted into the 1911 Society, which honors the university’s most distinguished graduates who embody ETSU’s original mission of improving the quality of life for the people of this region as exemplified through academic excellence, service and leadership.
During the ceremony, several members of the Class of 2021 received graduation honor awards for their work and activities conducted during their time at Quillen. Those earning recognition were:
- Brian Viscomi received the Dean’s Distinguished Student Award for demonstrating superb clinical skills and the potential for becoming an excellent physician.
- Victoria Stabile received the Leonard Tow Humanism in Medicine Award presented by the Arnold P. Gold Foundation for compassion and empathy in patient care, professional behavior by example, cultural sensitivity, adhering to professional and ethical standards, attention and sensitivity to the patient’s psychological well-being, and concern for the general welfare of the community.
- Hannah Wolters Holt received the Ann Tranum Hawkins Award for Excellence in Women’s Health for demonstrating exceptional involvement in activities promoting the health care of women.
- The Ronald S. McCord Rural Family Medicine Award is awarded to the student(s) who exemplify commitment to rural medicine. This year’s recipients were Christopher Welch and Dr. Collette Hoilman. In addition, Welch received the Henry Clay Reister Award for starting his medical education later in life after having a previous career.
- The Excellence in Emergency Medicine Award was presented to Grace Wholley. Wholley also received a Glasgow-Rubin Achievement Award.
- Kayla Watson was the recipient of the Cowan Moss Family Medicine Award, presented to the student with the student with the highest academic rank and is entering the field of Family Medicine, and a Glasgow-Rubin Achievement Award.
- Libby Ligon earned the Tennessee Academy of Family Physicians Award, recognizing an outstanding student entering family medicine. She also received a Glasgow-Rubin Achievement Award.
- Other recipients of the Glasgow-Rubin Achievement Award included Brooke Bartow and Dr. Rebecca Roberts.
- Leslie Stroud received the Philip John Hinton, M.D. Career in Surgery Award for demonstrating the most promise for an outstanding surgical career.
- Elizabeth Farabee earned the OB/GYN Award (Dillard M. Sholes Society Award).
- Landin Sorenson and Dr. Aaron Deyo received the James Christopher Corbin Memorial Award in Psychiatry to honor the memory of James Christopher Corbin, whose brother Michael Corbin was a 1995 graduate of the Quillen College of Medicine.
- The Outstanding Performance Junior Surgical Clerkship Award was presented to John Kalada.
- Whitney Pittman received the Internal Medicine Award for demonstrating strong clinical skills, an inquisitive mind, a compassionate character, and a desire to practice internal medicine.
- Vidiya Sathananthan received the Dr. Jay and Mina Mehta Family Award in Preventive Medicine, which is presented to a student who is planning a residency in internal medicine with a strong interest or achievement in pursuing a career in preventive medicine, epidemiology, or public health.
- Fred Lam received the Department of Pediatrics Award.
- The Cheryl L. McLemore, M.D. Memorial Pediatrics Award was presented to Isaac Weintraub for demonstrating a keen interest in child health and development and possessing an informed mind, a sensitivity to cultural diversity and an outstanding commitment to patient care.
- Rebecca Roberts received the Kevin Swabe Memorial Award, presented to the most outstanding graduating student entering pediatrics.
- The Osler Award was presented to Michael Shumaker for demonstrating exceptional knowledge of the clinical manifestations of disease.
- Alexander Hwang and Dr. Derrill Schumpert received the Merck and Company, Incorporated Book Award based on their leadership and scholastic achievement.