Celebrating 40 years

Quillen Class Of 2022 Marks Milestone Anniversary

Though East Tennessee State University’s Quillen College of Medicine has undergone many changes since its inaugural class of medical students received their degrees in 1982, some hallmarks of the college that were true 40 years ago remain the same.

Just ask Dr. Greg Swabe, a Knoxville pediatrician and member of the inaugural class, and Dr. Abbi Laszacs, a 2022 graduate. Their Quillen stories share several similarities – even though their experiences were four decades apart.

“I came to Quillen because East Tennessee was my home, and this is really where my heart was,” Swabe said. “I also wanted to be part of a new medical school. My favorite memory of Quillen is the fact that it was a small class and you got so much personal attention, and I don’t think that would exist anywhere else.”

Although her class of 66 was larger than the inaugural class of 24, Laszacs also was attracted to Quillen’s smaller class size compared to other medical schools she considered.

“At a larger or a different school, I could’ve gotten lost – a fish within a big ocean. But at Quillen, I was really able to thrive and have opportunities readily available to me,” said Laszacs, who was also inducted into the ETSU 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.

Both graduates also appreciate Quillen’s unwavering commitment to training primary care physicians. The medical school moved from the main campus to ETSU’s campus at the James H. Quillen VA at Mountain Home, where it has had room to grow and add state-of-the-art simulation laboratories and an interprofessional education and research program to enhance student training.

Swabe recalled that some of his most rewarding career memories are of relationships that he has formed with patients and their families –including treating the grandchildren of two of his Quillen classmates.

Laszacs, who completed Quillen’s Rural Primary Care Track, began an obstetrics and gynecology residency at UCSF Fresno last summer.

“At the end of my four years, I look back with nothing but pride having chosen Quillen, and I am honored that Quillen chose me. Quillen really prepared me for my future,” said Laszacs.

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 May Commencement ceremony for the historic class.

“I am extremely proud of the Class of 2022,” Block said. “I have watched them persevere through a pandemic with determination and resilience. They will take these lessons, as well as what they learned in our classrooms, clinics, and labs, with them as they leave us for their residencies. They will make us proud.”

The class selected Dr. Blair Reece and Dr. Bryan Helsel to present their doctoral hoods. In addition, 22 students were hooded by a physician relative. Dr. Jason Moore was given the highest honor by students to administer the Hippocratic Oath during the ceremony.

Dr. Reid B. Blackwelder, Associate Dean of Graduate Medical Education and Continuing Education for Health Professionals, was the speaker.

ETSU President Dr. Brian Noland presented the diplomas, and Dr. Kimberly D. McCorkle, Provost and Senior Vice President for Academics, provided closing remarks.

Dr. Abbi Laszacs, a member of Quillen College of Medicine's Class of 2022, and Dr. Greg Swabe, a member of the inaugural class, discussed some of the changes that have taken place at Quillen.

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