Alumni news

Class of 2010

Robert Monahan

After a year serving in regulatory affairs, Robert Monahan accepted a Pharmacist-in-Charge position at Southland Pharmacy, an independent pharmacy in Manchester. He and his wife, Katie, celebrated their 15th wedding anniversary this year. They live in Murfreesboro with their children Allison (11) and Marcus (9).

Class of 2012

Michael Gibson

Michael Gibson, who serves as a staff pharmacist at CVS Pharmacy in Piney Flats, recently got a new puppy in December. He has twin daughters who are 6 years old and in first grade

Everlee on the left and Hadlee on the right, enjoying the playground at school.

Tyler Melton

Tyler Melton joined the University of Tennessee Health Science Center College of Pharmacy as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Translational Science on the Knoxville campus. Most recently he completed Gatton's Pharmacy Practice Fellowship and also received his Master of Public Health from ETSU. Eric and Lucy Shell

Two alums, Eric and Lucy Shell (’14, Adkins), married on Sept. 12, 2020.

Class of 2014

Chase Ballinger

Chase Ballinger was named Field Grade Officer of the Year for the 22nd Medical Group.

Lucy Shell

Lucy Shell served as Interim Executive Director of the Tennessee Pharmacists Association January-August 2021. Major Joy Scott and Emily Sorah

Two members of this class, Major Joy Scott and Emily Sorah, presented to students at the college during the spring semester via Zoom on their career experiences. Scott talked about her career in the military as a pharmacist; Sorah spoke about working as a veterinary pharmacist.

Class of 2018

Anh Dinh

A Gatton diploma means a lot to our alumni and employers, so much so that Anh Dinh earned her diploma (again) as a blanket for Christmas, a gift from her brother! The first meeting of the newlyformed Gatton Alumni Council took place via Zoom in April. The purpose of the Council is for its members to receive important updates on the state of the college, as well as provide valuable feedback to Dean Byrd and the college leadership team. Alumni representing the classes of 2012, 2013, 2014, and 2015 were in attendance.

Jeremiah Jessee

Jeremiah Jessee joined the faculty at High Point University School of Pharmacy. He just completed a PGY-2 in oncology pharmacy.

Class of 2020

Lauren Dickerson

Lauren Dickerson, a PGY1 resident at Indiana University Health in Indianapolis, Indiana, recently published in the Journal of the American Pharmacists Association on the student pharmacist's perspective on medical cannabis.

Anes Karic and Sarah Ofori

Two member of this class, Anes Karic and Sarah Ofori, spoke to students in the spring via Zoom about their fellowships. Anes is a Regulatory Pharmaceutical Fellow in Drug Information at Purdue University, Janssen, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Ofori spoke about her fellowship in Global Medical Affairs through the Pfizer Pharmaceutical Fellowship in partnership with Rutgers Institute for Pharmaceutical Industry Fellowships.

Class of 2021

James Elliott

James Elliott got married on October 30, 2021.

Have news to share?

Recently had a child and want a free “Future Pharmacist” bib? Share your good news and update your info at etsu.edu/ pharmacy/alumni!

Pharmacy Plus creates new scholarship

Recently, longtime Gatton College of Pharmacy benefactors David and Betty Jo Pesterfield signed a memorandum of understanding to create the Pharmacy Plus Community Pharmacy Scholarship and Travel Endowment. The fund was created by Pharmacy Plus to provide support for deserving Gatton student pharmacists with either scholarship funds or travel assistance to Tennessee Pharmacists Association (TPA) and/or National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA) meetings. Also in attendance at the signing ceremony were local pharmacists, and Gatton supporters, Dr. Alan and Mary Lynn Corley and Dr. Eddie and Dot Rowe.

“Betty Jo and I have always been passionate about supporting Gatton College of Pharmacy and its students,” said Pesterfield, “and this new endowment is a way for us to ensure that support continues for perpetuity. Words cannot express how thrilled we are to make this a reality.” Pharmacy Plus was established in 1996 in Maryville by David Pesterfield, a wholesale drug industry professional. David recognized the marketplace pressures faced by independent community pharmacies and sought to use his expertise, insights, and professional relationships to address these challenges. According to David, Pharmacy Plus exists to give community pharmacies cost-effective access to the products, tools, people, and information needed to compete in today's health care market. He added that it has always been a goal of Pharmacy Plus to enhance professional development for Gatton student pharmacists.

“We are very grateful for David and the work he has done for community pharmacies through Pharmacy Plus,” said Dr. Debbie Byrd, dean of the college. “We also greatly appreciate the new endowed fund that Pharmacy Plus has created. I am confident it will be a tremendous asset for our students for many years to come.”

National story on rural impact

The college was featured in Academic Pharmacy Now for its mission to serve the rural and underserved. “We’re right in the thick of Appalachia, and we focus on the rural and underserved and improve lives of people in this region,” said Dean Byrd. Scan to read the story