Nov. 22, 2024
As the Fall semester winds down and we approach Thanksgiving next week, I want to
share with you some college highlights and achievements that I’m thankful for this
semester. I encourage each of you to reflect on this time, as well, and think about
what you’re thankful for.
The devastation in our region after Hurricane Helene was heartbreaking, but it was
inspiring to see our students, faculty, and staff step up to serve our region in countless
ways including through ETSU’s “Bucs Rebuild Together” campaign. There are too many stories to tell here, and many remain anonymous, but
here are a few I want to highlight:
Interprofessional impact: Dr. McKenzie Highsmith led an interprofessional group at ETSU Health Family Medicine, conducting welfare checks and delivering supplies to patients across the Tri-Cities. Learn more at WJHL.
Helping Neighbors: Dr. Kylie Futrell, our Academic Pharmacy Fellow, assisted her neighbors in rural Mitchell County, North Carolina, providing healthcare assistance, medication and oxygen assessments, coordinating a local supply distribution site, and offering patient care.- Local Pharmacy Impact: Numerous local pharmacies assisted with disaster relief, including Mooney's Pharmacy,
who teamed up with Gatton to collect donated medications for local communities with
help from students, faculty, and alumni. Alumnus and owner Dr. Chris Lopez ('14) worked
alongside Dr. Jessica Robinson on the project. Read more at WJHL.
Donation drive: Our student organizations quickly came together to collect donations at the college for impacted communities.
Other noteworthy moments this semester:
- We kicked off the Fall semester by welcoming the Class of 2028 at our White Coat Ceremony.
- At the ceremony, Gatton welcomed its first legacy student, Kyhran Ball, whose father, Dr. J.P. Ball, graduated in 2010. This milestone is a testament to the college’s high alumni satisfaction (100% of surveyed alumni would choose us again).
- Students, faculty, and staff gathered at the college’s annual Wellbeing Retreat.
- We welcomed new postgraduates Dr. Christian Brown, PGY2 Ambulatory Care Pharmacy Resident, and alumna Dr. Morgan Thomas ('23), PGY2 Internal Medicine resident.
Three new faculty members joined the college: Drs. Shelby Brooks, Kaitlyn (Phillips '22) North, and Alex Surbaugh. Listen to their interviews on our college podcast, White Coat Radio.- The college welcomed a new admissions recruiter, Heather Poston. Becky Dunkelberger is now serving as Assistant Director of Enrollment.
Morgan Teeters ('25) was inducted into ETSU's prestigious 1911 Society.
The college launched the Rural and Underserved Pharmacy Care Track, led by Dr. Emily Flores, Associate Professor of Pharmacy Practice.
The latest issue of GattonRx Magazine dropped this fall, which includes stories about our students, faculty and staff, our No. 2 NAPLEX ranking, practice transformation in the region, and much more!- Gatton’s Halloween celebration this year was a Wizarding World extravaganza with a costume parade, wand building, spellbinding games, and frosty glasses of Butterbeer for all. Dean Dumbledore, yours truly, made a grand appearance to kick off the festivities. Check out photos and video.
Several faculty received honors this semester:
Dr. Katelyn Alexander, Director of Experiential Education, graduated from the prestigious American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy’s Academic Leadership Fellows Program at AACP in July.
Dr. David Cluck, Associate Professor of Pharmacy Practice, was selected to serve on the IDWeek Program Committee representing "Antimicrobial Agents Including Antibacterial, Antiviral, and Antifungal Drugs" as part of a 3-year term.
Dr. Sarah Thomason, Chair and Professor of Pharmacy Practice, was featured in Drug Topics for Recovery Month in September.
At the annual ETSU Celebration of Research, two Gatton faculty were recognized for their research: Dr. Ashana Puri, Assistant Professor of Pharmaceutical Sciences, earned the Early Career Scholar Award, and Dr. John Bossaer was a nominee for Distinguished Faculty Researcher.
Dr. Kelly Covert, Associate Professor of Pharmacy, was named to the 2024 "40 Under Forty" list for the Business Journal of Tri-Cities TN/VA.
Honors for practice transformation efforts:
Drs. Jeff Gray and Jessica Robinson, Pharmacy Practice faculty, earned the inaugural ACT Community Pharmacy Practice Transformation Educators' Badge recognizing their work and expertise in community-based practice transformation.
At the Tennessee Pharmacists Association meeting this summer, the Community Pharmacy Enhanced Services Network (CPESN®USA) for Northeast Tennessee earned the TPA Partner in Excellence Award. Dr. Robinson accepted the honor in her role as Lead Network Facilitator for CPESN in Tennessee and as Lead Coach for the Greater Appalachian Transformation Effort, which won the 2024 Flip the Pharmacy Team of the Year Award presented at the National Community Pharmacy Association’s annual meeting.
These achievements stand as a testament to the relentless dedication and remarkable
talent within our Gatton community. Through their commitment and passion, we continue
to drive excellence and go beyond the classroom at ETSU.
Wishing you all a wonderful holiday season and a happy new year.
Dean Byrd