Greetings!
I want to share with you a quick recap of our semester achievements and noteworthy headlines within our college.
August had lots of milestones, including welcoming our Class of 2027 during Gatton Ready and our White Coat Ceremony.
We celebrated the accomplishments of Dr. Jessica Burchette, Associate Professor of Pharmacy Practice, who was honored with the prestigious Distinguished Faculty Award for Teaching at our university's Faculty Convocation. Dr. Burchette's dedication and commitment to excellence in teaching have significantly contributed to our academic success.
In addition, Drs. Burchette and Katelyn Alexander, Director of Experiential Education, were both named new members of the Business Journal of Tri-Cities TN/VA’s class of 40 Under Forty.
President Noland was joined by members of the ETSU Board of Trustees to present a proclamation of appreciation to State Representative Gary Hicks for his leadership and advocacy in securing the state appropriation for our college. A lecture hall used by our first-year student pharmacists was named in honor of Hicks.
In September, the latest edition of our GattonRx Magazine dropped, highlighting our announcement regarding lower tuition; impactful initiatives targeting substance use disorder; and the recently remodeled curriculum, promising an enriched learning experience.
Our faculty continue to make strides in groundbreaking research and professional engagement. Dr. KariLynn Dowling-McClay is actively involved with a team testing medication adherence interventions for vulnerable populations, underscoring our commitment to accessible healthcare.
Furthermore, Dr. Jessica Robinson was featured in an article on Nerd Wallet, nationally syndicated by the Associated Press, which offered invaluable advice to
patients seeking affordable medication options. This showcased our faculty's influence
and expertise on a broader scale.
In October, students and faculty worked with area law enforcement to help remove over 340 pounds of unused prescription drugs including 16 pounds of controlled substances from the region, helping prevent drug addiction and overdose deaths as part of the DEA’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day.
Dr. Victoria Palau hosted a distinguished natural products research scientist from Colombia. This visit proved to be an invaluable opportunity for our student pharmacists to engage and learn about the drug discovery process.
Dr. Sarah Thomason worked with a physician and psychologist to do a national interprofessional presentation on our integrated behavioral health model at ETSU Internal Medicine. Learn more.
In November, the Tennessee Higher Education Commission (THEC) requested an additional $2.5 million for Gatton College of Pharmacy to further lower tuition. This is the first time the college has been included in the THEC budget, and it's inclusion will be dependent on the approval of Gov. Lee and the legislature next year. Thank you all for your support on our quest for state funding!
In addition to these accomplishments in our college, our alumni continue to grow each year and accomplish major achievements. It was great spending time with them at Homecoming. Here are a few recent highlights:
- Dr. Taylor Coston (‘23) was inducted into the Tennessee Collaborative Practice Society (TCPS), which recognizes students in Tennessee.
- Dr. Rebecca Leinart ('13) is now serving on the Tennessee State Board of Pharmacy, a seven-year term running until June 30, 2030.
- Dr. Colby Newsome (‘15) has been named Director of Behavioral Health Pharmacy for Appalachian Regional Healthcare (ARH).
All of these achievements stand as a testament to the relentless dedication and remarkable talent within our Gatton community. It is through their commitment and passion that we continue to drive excellence and go beyond the classroom at ETSU.
Dean Byrd