Veterans Welcome
Welcome
We are a Veteran, military-friendly campus and the college of medicine gratefully welcomes the application of our veteran 'heroes' and will consider it an honor to receive it. We thank you for your service to our country and for your interest. Let us know how we may serve you.
About Quillen
The Quillen College of Medicine at East Tennessee State University opened its doors in 1974 with funds allocated through the Veterans Administration. We live on hallowed ground, provide medical care for veterans and we have not forgotten our roots. Veterans are indeed welcome here!
The Quillen medical campus is located on the grounds of the VA Medical Center at Mountain Home, Tennessee. An inscription near the entrances record the words once spoken by President Abraham Lincoln, "to care for him who shall have borne the battle." That's what we are about.
The TN Veterans Support Act allows the Quillen College of Medicine to classify honorably seperated veterans for in-state tuition purposes.
To all veterans and prospective HPSP participants:
On behalf of the Military Medicine Interest Group (MMIG), thank you for your interest in ETSU Quillen College of Medicine. The MMIG mission is to provide an environment for prior or future military members to collaborate and advance the unique worlds of military and medicine. The MMIGs objectives are to:
- Provide a place for veterans to share experiences, gain and provide support, and enrich the education of the Quillen student population through unique perspectives.
- Provide a support structure for military-sponsored students, including military-related activities, joint activities with other Quillen interest groups, educational seminars, administrative support, and information on career choices within military medicine.
- Integrate with the ETSU veteran community and the Mountain Home VA Medical Center to provide additional opportunities, including mentoring for ETSU undergraduates and building relationships with our region's veterans.
The Quillen military family is substantive and significant, from faculty and students and beyond, to the Johnson City, TN community. We encourage anyone interested in military medicine or any veteran to consider Quillen for their medical school education. If you are inbound to ETSU Quillen College of Medicine, know that the MMIG is here to help welcome you aboard.
2025 Graduates
We give special thanks and recognition to our 2025 graduates who have served and those who have begun service to our country as physicians in our several branches. With our thanks, admiration and appreciation to, the following. Congratulations and Godspeed!
- Dr. Meghan Ferriss, U.S. Army
- Dr. Meredith Frost, U.S. Army
- Dr. Travis Hall, U.S. Army
- Dr. Paul Jones, U.S. Army
- Dr. Creighton Kellum, U.S. Air Force
- Dr. Andrew Lithen, U.S. Army
- Dr. Drew Millar, U.S. Navy
- Dr. Shane Richey, U.S. Army
- Dr. Wenjian Tian, U.S. Army
- Dr. Malachia Weaver, U.S. Navy
Pat Tillman Foundation Scholars
We are proud to recognize students and alumni who have been named Pat Tillman Foundation Scholars, a prestigious scholarship awarded to military service members, veterans, and spouses who demonstrate leadership, service, and a commitment to making a positive impact in their communities.
Quillen Tillman Scholars
Ben Welch, M.D.
Captian, U.S. Marine Corps (2004-2018)
2019 Tillman Scholar | Quillen College of Medicine
Ben enlisted in the Marine Corps in 2024 and served as a rifleman, scout sniper and later a logistics officer. During his service, he deployed to Iraq and abroad amphibious assault ships supporting international training and contingency operations. At Quillen, he pursued a career in medicine with plans to specialize in psychiatry.
Jay Johnston, M.D.
U.S. Army Special Forces (Green Berets)
2014 Tillman Scholar | Quillen College of Medicine Graduate
Dr. Johnston served multiple combat tours in Afghanistan and Iraq as a Special Forces medic and team sergeant. After 18 years of military service, he pursued medical school to continue serving others through medicine and leadership.
The support and care that the school staff offers to all students and especially to
veterans is exemplary. The faculty takes interest in each students story and holds
his or her military service in high regard. I have the utmost respect for such a fine
program and would encourage any veteran to apply.