JOHNSON CITY (July 11, 2023)— East Tennessee State University Bill Gatton College
of Pharmacy welcomes a new resident and research fellow, each furthering their postgraduate
pharmacy training in various practice settings.
Alum James Elliott (’20), PharmD, of Maryville, Tennessee, matched as a Postgraduate
Year 2 (PGY2) Ambulatory Care Pharmacy Resident, a year-long program that helps trainees
acquire unique skills in teaching by working with faculty members both in classroom
and experiential settings. PGY2 residents are also given an opportunity to participate
in a teaching and learning certificate program.
After earning his PharmD at ETSU Gatton College of Pharmacy, Elliott gained valuable
experience in community pharmacy before pursuing his PGY1 residency with an emphasis
in Community Pharmacy at University Hospitals in Cleveland, Ohio.
“Returning to Gatton was an easy decision for me,” said Elliott. “An inviting atmosphere
and approachable, friendly faculty were significant elements that had initially led
me to select Gatton for my pharmacy education. For me, this reunion with Gatton feels
like a profound homecoming that validates the path I have been on for many years.
During this year, I aspire to grow not only as an ambulatory pharmacist, but also
as a preceptor and educator.”
After his residency, Elliott hopes to pursue a combination of ambulatory care and
academia to invest in future pharmacists and healthcare professionals. Brandi Dahl,
PharmD, Assistant Professor of Pharmacy, serves as director of the PGY2 residency.
Kylie Futrell, PharmD, of Soper, Oklahoma, will serve as the college’s Academic Pharmacy
Fellow, a 2-3 postgraduate training program with emphases in applied social/behavioral
research and public health. The overarching goal of the program is to equip fellows
for rigorous careers that advance pharmacy education and practice as informed through
a public health perspective.
Futrell earned her PharmD from the UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy in 2023. While
there, she also received an additional graduate certificate through the Rural Pharmacy
Health Certificate Program. Futrell’s areas of interest include academia, rural health,
public health, psychiatry, women’s health, and gender-affirming care. Karilynn Dowling-McClay,
PharmD, Assistant Professor of Pharmacy, serves as director of the fellowship.
“I was drawn to this fellowship program because of the opportunity for clinical experience,
research, and the ability to pursue a Master of Public Health at ETSU while being
connected to a college of pharmacy whose mission is to serve rural and underserved
communities,” said Futrell. “While at ETSU, I hope to support Gatton’s mission by
participating in meaningful research, advocating for underserved and rural populations,
and exploring innovative ways to mentor pharmacy students. I also hope to expand my
own skills in teaching, research, and ambulatory care pharmacy.”
Following completion of the fellowship, Futrell hopes to secure a position as a faculty
member at a college of pharmacy, expand and improve rural and public health experiences
for students, and ultimately increase the retention of pharmacists in rural settings.”
In June, the college celebrated its previous postgraduates: alumna Dawnna Metcalfe
(’21), PharmD, graduated as the PGY2 Ambulatory Care Pharmacy Resident and will be
serving as an outpatient clinical pharmacist with Ballad Health Medical Associates
in Kingsport;
Michelle Rapier, PharmD, MPH, graduated the fellowship program and will be serving
on faculty at Highpoint University’s Fred Wilson School of Pharmacy.
Learn more about ETSU Gatton College of Pharmacy's postgraduate training at www.etsu.edu/rxpostgrads.