Faculty & Staff

Tom G. Kincer, M.D.

Associate Dean for Rural and Community Programs
Professor, Department of Family Medicine
kincert@etsu.edu 

Dr. Kincer was born and raised in Eastern Kentucky. Growing up in this region gave him firsthand knowledge of the education and healthcare needs of the Appalachian region. He attended Berea College and later went to the University of Kentucky School of Medicine. Upon the completion of his medical residency at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, he began his lifelong academic journey. Early in his career, he served as a faculty member in Kingsport and later moved to Montgomery, Alabama where he would spend most of his career as a program director. Dr. Kincer has since returned to ETSU to serve as the associate dean for rural and community programs to recruit and train students for the rural and underserved communities of our region.

Melissa Robinson, M.D.

Director, Rural and Community Programs
Assistant Professor, Department of Family Medicine
robinsonmd@etsu.edu

Dr. Robinson is originally from Chicago and was raised between there and the Southeast. She started working straight out of high school, putting herself through college at night at Georgia State University in Atlanta. Afterward, she taught high school chemistry for many years. When her son went off to college, she enrolled in the Rural Track at ETSU Quillen College of Medicine. After completing a family medicine residency in Bristol, she practiced in rural Hot Springs, North Carolina, for five years. She is excited to return as director for Rural and Community Programs to help students prepare for their future. She and her husband return to their 20-acre share of Appalachian heaven for weekends and holidays, where she enjoys gardening and campfires by the creek. 

Skylar Moore, M.P.H., HCMC

Rural and Community Programs Administrator
mooresd1@etsu.edu 

Skylar has lived in the region her entire life and has a deep love for rural people and rural ways of life. Originally from Johnson City, she received a bachelor’s in healthcare administration, master’s in public health and certificate in healthcare management from ETSU. Prior to joining the Rural and Community Programs team, she spent ten years working in healthcare administration. She continues to live in Johnson City with her husband Garrett and their beagle named Boomhauer. Skylar enjoys traveling, reading and spending time with family. You can find her at ETSU football and basketball games cheering on the BUCS!

Sarah Orick, B.S.

Rural Programs Coordinator
oricksg@etsu.edu 

Sarah Orick is an East Tennessee native and graduated with an undergraduate degree in Radiologic Science from East Tennessee State University. Sarah and her husband Nathan spent several years living in the San Fransisco Bay Area, but are excited to be back home and a part of the Appalachian Highlands community. Outside of work, Sarah loves to travel, read and spend time with her friends and family.

Morgan Scott, M.H.A.

Underserved Medicine Coordinator
murrayma@etsu.edu 

Morgan was born and raised in Bristol, Tennessee. She earned both an undergraduate and graduate degree focusing on health administration from the College of Public Health at East Tennessee State University. Morgan and her husband Hunter have three dogs and love to travel together. Her hobbies include shopping, weightlifting and spending time with family and friends. 

Valerie Suiter, A.S.

Rural and Community Programs Facilitator
suiterv@etsu.edu 

Valerie was born and raised in the Appalachia Highlands and has been with ETSU's Rural and Community Programs since March 2019. She has a husband, a son and two dogs. While not in the office, Valerie loves to explore the area and have family game nights. Along with growing indoor plants such as succulents and cacti, she loves to create and craft in different mediums.

Victoria Sage, MAOT

EQUIP Coordinator
sageva@etsu.edu 

Victoria was born and raised in Stickleyville, Virginia. She obtained a Bachelor's in Health Administration from ETSU in 2020 and has since completed a Master's in Organizational Training. Victoria has been a part of ETSU Rural and Community Programs overseeing the EQUIP program since November 2022. She enjoys time with her dogs, Mike and Luna, and spending weekends on her family’s farm in Virginia.

Jose Velasco, M.D.

Clinical Associate Professor of Family Medicine
Kingsport, TN
jpvelascotn@gmail.com 

Dr. Velasco is originally from Manila, Philippines where he received a bachelor of science in physical therapy and later a doctoral degree from the University of Santo Tomas. After completing an internship, he traveled to the United States where he was assigned to work in Kingsport area nursing homes. Dr. Velasco completed his residency at what is currently known as ETSU Health Family Medicine Kingsport. Upon completion of a fellowship in rural medicine, he joined ETSU as an assistant professor of rural and community programs in Rogersville, Tennessee.

Joe Florence, M.D.

Professor Emeritus, Family Medicine
florencj@etsu.edu 

Prior to Dr. Florence’s retirement from ETSU, he served as the director of rural and community programs. Dr. Florence received a master’s in biology along with a bachelor’s in chemistry and religion from Duke University. He later received his doctoral degree at the Medical College of Virginia and completed a residency at Roanoke Memorial Hospitals. During his career he trained medical students, family medicine residents and other healthcare professionals to prepare them to practice in rural underserved communities. Dr. Florence is now an emeritus professor for ETSU’s rural and community programs.