Mary Axelrad, M.D.
Associate Program Director - Bristol
Dr. Mary Axelrad is a board certified family medicine physician. She earned her M.D. from Albert Einstein College of Medicine in the Bronx, New York. Dr. Axelrad completed her family medicine residency at ETSU Health Family Medicine Bristol. She is a member of the American Academy of Family Physicians, American Medical Association, American Medical Women's Association and Tennessee Academy of Family Physicians.
Max Bayard, M.D.
Professor & Program Director - Johnson City
I received my BS from University of Memphis and my MD from ETSU. Then I did residency at Bristol Family Medicine.
Besides 13 years in academics, I have worked about 16 years in non-academic medicine; 7 of which were as owner of a medical practice. Most of the remainder was working as a physician in federally qualified health centers, generally practicing in small communities with shortage of physicians. I am moving back to Johnson City from Vermont, where I have been doing clinical medicine for the last 11 years. I am blessed to be able to return to my role as Program Director, a position I held for about six years before moving to Vermont.
My wife and I mostly enjoy time with our 6 children and 8 grandchildren. We are geographically "challenged" with children and family in North Carolina, Tennessee, Indiana, Vermont and Florida; as such, much of our time away from work is spent traveling to visit family. Personally, I find satisfaction in spiritual exercises, such as solitude, meditation, prayer, and ministry. Professionally, I enjoy working with residents in areas such as applying evidence-based medicine, research and scholarly activity, and practice management.
Reid Blackwelder, M.D., FAAFP
Professor & Associate Dean for Graduate and Continuing Medical Education
I am originally from Atlanta, GA, but NE TN/SW VA has been home since 1992. I graduated from Haverford College in Pennsylvania and received my medical degree from Emory University School of Medicine, cum laude. After completing my residency and a teaching fellowship at the Medical College of Georgia, I became "a simple country doctor" in Trenton, GA, a town of 1400. This experience opened my eyes to the truly sacred nature of being a physician. I also recognized that how we teach medicine leaves out critical aspects such as thinking, tolerance and good communication skills!
I returned to an academic setting to try to change what I could from within the system. I use my practice experiences to fill in gaps left by my traditional allopathic training. I am always looking to integrate different healing systems when caring for my patients, and routinely prescribe botanical and allopathic medications, discuss exercise and nutritional issues, explore a person's emotional and spiritual support systems, and refer to other healers, such as a local practitioner of Chinese medicine and Native American healers. Moreover, I have greatly enjoyed learning osteopathic techniques here at ETSU.
My wife Alex and I relax with our two dogs and two cats at our home, an incredible haven on top of a mountain, surrounded by trees, deer, hawks, wildflowers, and herbs. We are blessed with living close to our large family. My hobbies include learning the bass guitar, making jewelry and wood pens, and teaching yin yoga.
Pete Bockhorst, D.O.
Associate Professor - Kingsport
Born in Baltimore, Maryland, and raised everywhere else, I have tried to live as many lives as possible. Having tried my hand at several trades including culinary and photographic arts, none have suited me as does medicine. The opportunity to meld the arts and sciences is too enticing. Having finished a brilliant three years in the National Health Service Corps in a rural family medicine setting, teaching is my next move in finding the consummate balance in life.
Christopher Bridges, M.D.
Assistant Professor & Clerkship Director - Johnson City
I was born and raised in Greenville, SC. I am a Clemson University alum and completed my medical education at the Medical University of South Carolina. I completed residency at ETSU Family Medicine in Johnson City and upon graduation stayed on as faculty. In medicine, I have found a passion in point of care ultrasound, skin procedures, and preventative medicine. I love working with medical students and residents in both the clinic and hospital. Outside of work, I enjoy playing disc golf and ball golf, spending time with my family, partner, and our dog Sweet Pea. The only thing that comes close to my love of medicine is my love of live music.
Mark Brummel, D.O.
Professor & Program Director - Kingsport
I grew up on a farm in northern Illinois, just outside of the suburban sprawl of Chicago. I attended college locally at Northern Illinois University, and medical school at the Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine. While I did enjoy my time moving to progressively more urban environments, I next ventured to the Amish country in Lancaster Pennsylvania for residency training. While the training was excellent, I wanted to further develop areas within family medicine I found most interesting, and decided to stay an additional year to complete a faculty development fellowship. During this year I dedicated the majority of my time and efforts to sports medicine, inpatient medicine, and osteopathic manipulation.
The next step in my journey began with my wife looking for a graduate school to attend and ended with us both finding a wonderful opportunity to grow and live in the region. We have enjoyed the outdoor activities, the beautiful weather and the excellent education for our children. Please feel free to contact me to discuss sports, outdoor activities, food, sustainable living, or anything you are interested in.
Greg Clarity, M.D.
Associate Program Director - Bristol
Dr. Clarity is a native of New York state. He received an M.S. in mechanical engineering from Texas A & M and worked for six years as an engineer before entering medical school. He received his M.D. degree from ETSU and completed his residency at the Bristol Family Practice program in 1995. In the past, Greg and his wife Cathy enjoyed living on a small farm with their chickens, ducks, and dairy goats. Now they have five children and have left the animals behind. Greg enjoys spending time with the children, and may someday resume sailing on our area lakes.
Ivy Click, Ed.D.
Associate Professor, Assistant Dean for Curriculum & MSEC Chair
I am a native of East Tennessee by way of Kingsport and I currently reside in Johnson City. I hold three degrees from ETSU including an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership as well as B.S. and M.A. degrees in Experimental Psychology. (Go Bucs!) I joined the Department of Family Medicine in January of 2006. Prior to accepting a faculty position in July 2013, I worked as Research Coordinator for the department. My research interests are broad and include health disparities, health policy, medical school practice outcomes, quality improvement, and social media and higher education. In June 2020, I had the honor of being appointed as the Assistant Dean for Curriculum for the Quillen College of Medicine and now spend the majority of my time overseeing the medical student curriculum.
I have a passion for research and enjoy mentoring fellow faculty, residents, and students in research methods. My husband, Charlie, and I have two sons who keep us on our toes. I'm an avid reader and enjoy boating and other outdoor activities, gaming with friends and family, and anything and everything related to frogs.
Greg Cooper, M.D.
Assistant Professor & Clerkship Director - Kingsport
I was born in Knoxville, TN and went to UT Knoxville for undergraduate. Moved to Johnson City where I did medical school at Quillen College of Medicine and then completed residency with ETSU Kingsport Family Medicine. I chose this job because I enjoy working both in the clinic setting and in the hospital setting. I also enjoy teaching, and I get to teach both medical students and residents in this job. I am inspired by seeing learners truly understand information.
I enjoy running and hanging out with friends when I’m not working. I like to travel when I have the time. I enjoy going to see movies with friend and watching TV shows.
John Crabill, M.D.
Associate Professor
For Dr. Crabill, becoming a doctor was a calling. While working toward a different degree in college, he heard a missionary nurse give a talk. After, he felt like becoming a doctor was something that he was supposed to do.
Dr. Crabill served 20 years in the United States Navy. Some of the interesting places that he practiced medicine with the Navy include Asia, a mud castle in Afghanistan, and aboard a moving ship at sea. Dr. Crabill believes his years of experience as a physician and a teacher of physicians help him to be a better doctor and to provide great care to his patients.
Dr. Crabill grew up in South Bend, Indiana. He has lived on the east and west coasts
of the United States, and in the desert of southern California. In recent years, the
mountains of Appalachia seemed to be calling to him. When he visited the area, he
fell in love with it and with the people here.
John Culp, M.D., FAAFP
Professor - Bristol
I am originally from Alabama, but am now an adopted Tennessean. I graduated from University High in Johnson City and received my B.S. from ETSU. I returned to Alabama to earn my M.D. from the University of Alabama in 1980 and completed my residency in Family Practice at Anniston, Alabama, in 1983. I worked in private practice in Anniston until joining the Bristol Family Practice Program in October 1986.I am a fellow of the American Academy of Family Physicians and hold a Certificate of Added Qualifications in Geriatrics.
My wife Jane is a biology teacher who is presently busy at home taking care of our family, and is actively involved in church work and various community organizations. After hours, you will find me also involved in church work, community activities, and family life. I enjoy antique gas engines, hunting and shooting, and playing the guitar.
Brandi Dahl, Pharm.D., BCPS
Faculty - Bristol
Dr. Dahl is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Pharmacy Practice at East Tennessee State University Bill Gatton College of Pharmacy. She also holds an appointment as clinical faculty with the ETSU Family Medicine Bristol. Dr. Dahl received her pharmacy degree and completed a 24-month combined PGY1/PGY2 pharmacotherapy specialty residency at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Pharmacy (TTUHSC SOP) in Amarillo, Texas. She is involved in the American College of Clinical Pharmacy, TTUHSC SOP Alumni Association, and American Society of Health-System Pharmacists. Her current practice interests include diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and transitions of care.
Joseph Florence, M.D.
Professor - Emeritus
Dr. Florence works closely with the rural programs at ETSU, which include the medical school's Rural Primary Care Tract - community partnerships program, Rural Health Fairs, and the Rural Family Practice Fellowship. Since 1983, Dr. Florence has been training medical students, family medicine residents, and other health care professionals including nurse practitioners, paramedics, and physician's assistants in an effort to prepare them for practicing in rural, underserved areas.
Dr. Florence grew up in Virginia, completing a Bachelor's degree in Chemistry and Religion at Duke University and a Master's degree in Biology prior to medical school at the Medical College of Virginia. After completing his family practice residency at Roanoke Memorial Hospitals in Roanoke, Virginia, he practiced as a National Health Service Corps doctor in Central Appalachia, in and around Hazard, Kentucky. During this time, he worked as Medical Director of the SE Kentucky Area Health Education Center. In 1991, Dr. Florence accepted a full-time position with the University of Kentucky to help develop the East Kentucky Family Practice Residency Program. As Program Director of this rural training program, his duties also included directing clinical programs at the UK Center for Rural Health, which in 2000, received honors from the National Rural Health Association as the Outstanding Rural Health Program in the United States. Dr. Florence was also a member of the faculty of the Appalachian Osteopathic Postgraduate Training Institute Consortium. Early in 2002, Dr. Florence was appointed Vice-Chair of the Department of Family Practice at the University of Kentucky. During his tenure he had the distinction of being the first medical director of the East Kentucky Veteran's Center, a recently opened long-term care facility serving the veterans of Central Appalachia.
Dr. Florence's scholarly interests include rural health, public policy, diabetes, advanced cardiac life support and the use of technology to enhance rural health.
Beth Anne Fox, M.D., MPH, CPE, FAAFP
Professor
I was born and raised in Sevierville, Tennessee. I received my undergraduate degree in Nursing at the University of Tennessee-Knoxville, a certificate in Nurse Anesthesia, and a Master’s Degree in Public Health before leaving nursing and returning to medical school at Quillen College of Medicine and then completed residency at ETSU Health Johnson City Family Medicine. After 3 years of private practice, I returned to follow my desire to make a difference in the lives of the people of Appalachia. Patients are more than their medical issues and each has a story to tell. My love of teaching of medical students and residents as well as helping them grow professionally has led to the most rewarding career I could imagine.
My professional interests are Clinical (Human Patient) Simulation, Women’s Health, and Rural Health. Personally, I enjoy spending time in outdoor activities like hiking, traveling, and love exploring craft fairs and antique stores.
Chris Galletti, M.D.
Assistant Professor - Kingsport
I was raised outside Orlando, FL where I was a student athlete playing football and lacrosse. I pursued my higher education in the panhandle at Florida State University. After completion of my undergraduate studies in Biology and Psychology, I worked for a local family doctor as his medical assistant, where I discovered my love for family medicine. I remained in Tallahassee for medical school at FSU College of Medicine. Following medical school, I moved to Southwest Florida for my family medicine residency training with FSU Fort Myers. In residency, I became passionate about medical education and clinical teaching. I am excited to train compassionate and knowledgeable family medicine physicians at ETSU Kingsport. Professionally, I have various clinical interests including medical informatics, sports medicine, point of care ultrasound (POCUS), lifestyle medicine, and behavioral health. Personally, I am a self-proclaimed chef and foodie. I enjoy spending time outdoors with my wife, watching FSU sports, and caring for my freshwater aquarium.
Chris Garner, M.D.
Associate Medical Director - Bristol
Dr. Garner moved to the area in 2011 for medical school at Quillen. Once he decided on family medicine, he wanted to stay in the area for residency to remain close to family. He always said being in residency was the best job he ever had, so he decided to stay on as faculty. He and his wife Joyce have two children, Luke and Leia. He enjoys weight lifting, running, hiking, and reading. He is also a huge Star Wars fan-he was born the year Episode 4 was released. See his kids’ names!
Erin Harris, M.D.
Associate Professor & Associate Clerkship Director - Kingsport
I have had a lengthy relationship with the Kingsport program as a student, resident, and now as faculty. I returned in 2010 after three years of primary care practice in Southwest Virginia. I am a graduate of the Quillen College of Medicine and completed an Accelerated Residency in Family Medicine at Kingsport and Holston Valley in 2006. I had long been drawn to the diversity, complexity, and continuity of Family Medicine and am proud to have pursued this field after medical school. My family and I lived in several areas of the country, but Southwest Virginia is the place that I call "home," and I consider the Tri-Cities of Tennessee and its population an extension of that. My professional interests include medical student education, adolescent medicine and pediatrics, and inpatient medicine.
Outside of medicine, I most enjoy spending time with my two lovely daughters, whose natural curiosity about the world and its people is a daily inspiration. We love to travel together and spend time with our extended family. Closer to home, we enjoy music and dance, local food and history, and time together at work and at play here in Northeast Tennessee. Please email me with any questions about the program or the area.
Sarah Hewitt, M.D.
Assistant Professor & Medical Director - Kingsport
McKenzie Highsmith, Pharm.D. , BC-ADM
Associate Professor, Family Medicine and Bill Gatton College of Pharmacy - Kingsport
Having called east Tennessee home for nearly my entire life, I’m frequently accused of trying to convince all of our residents to stay here forever. I have tried to leave several times, but keep being drawn home. I attended the University of Tennessee and East Tennessee State University for undergrad before obtaining my Doctor of Pharmacy degree from ETSU’s Gatton College of Pharmacy. I then completed a Pharmacy Practice residency at the Veterans Affairs TN Valley Healthcare System in Nashville, as well as a residency in Ambulatory Care with emphases in Family Medicine and academia at ETSU.
Being the clinical pharmacist for this residency program has been one of the greatest honors of my life thus far. Not only am I afforded the opportunity to work with the greatest faculty and residents in medicine, but I’m also able to help our patients who teach me something new every day. My areas of interest include chronic disease management (specifically diabetes and cardiovascular disease), transitional care and health care policy. I am faculty at the Gatton College of Pharmacy, where I teach and coordinate various courses in our didactic curriculum.
When I'm not working, I enjoy running, hiking, traveling and spending time with my family and friends. I can also be found in a college football stadium most Saturdays in the fall.
Jim Holt, M.D., FAAFP
Professor & Associate Program Director - Johnson City
I was born in Michigan, but raised in Baltimore. I am the fifth of six children. I attended Princeton University, receiving an A.B. in Biochemistry and a teaching license in math and science, graduating cum laude. I completed my medical school at the University of Maryland in 1982 and served my residency at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston. I practiced at a rural health clinic in Warrenton, NC, from 1985 to 1988 and at a private group practice in Lancaster, SC, from 1988 to 2001.
Since joining the Johnson City Family Practice Residency Program in August 2001, I have served as the Medical Director, Program Director, and the Associate Program Director. I have overseen both the Geriatrics rotation and residency didactics since 2001. I have been active in leadership in the Tennessee Academy of Family Physicians for many years, and I am currently serving as President. My wife Judy and I have five children and five grandchildren.
Andrea Hopkins, M.D.
Assistant Professor & Medical Director - Bristol
Dr. Hopkins is originally from Richmond, VA and was raised in Texas, but has deep roots in Southwest Virginia, where her extended family has lived for generations. She came to Bristol to take a job in journalism and has been here ever since. She earned both her undergraduate and medical degrees from East Tennessee State University and was fortunate to be able to complete residency in her adopted hometown of Bristol. She is currently the Medical Director for ETSU Health in Bristol. She maintains a full-spectrum family medicine practice that includes non-surgical obstetrics, and considers it a joy to be able to help bring new life into the world.
She and her husband Mike, have three children, Kathryn, Patrick, and Spencer. Her stepson, Michael, and his wife, Franchesca, have two daughters, Maia & Madison. Her hobbies are running, kayaking, yoga, camping, reading books, & raising chickens and ducks in her back yard. She is also trying to visit all 50 states and has already visited 31 of them.
Brian Ingalls, M.D
Associate Professor - Johnson City
Born in Durham, NC when my father was in Surgery Residency at Duke, our family traveled to Oklahoma City, and then on to settle in the east-central Illinois town of Paris. My eventual medical career took me to Chattanooga, TN for 30 years of practice in Emergency Medicine/Family Medicine/Acute Care. Two of our children have attended ETSU, and when the opportunity to join ETSU Family Medicine Associates arose, I felt it was a natural fit. I enjoy the outdoors with family and pets, including hiking, biking and golfing. I especially enjoy taking care of patients and their families, seeing them for follow-up visits...something I missed during my time in the ER!
Kelsey Lloyd, M.D.
Assistant Professor - Bristol
I am an East Tennessee native who is passionate about my Appalachian roots. I went to Centre College in Danville, KY for undergrad where I majored in religion and played soccer. I returned to east Tennessee to attended ETSU Quillen COM for medical school and I am excited to continue my medical education close to home. At Quillen, I participated in the rural primary care tract which cultivated my interest in providing care in small communities. Ultimately, I would like to practice in rural east Tennessee with an emphasis on obstetrics and women’s health. I consider myself a sports enthusiast, both playing and watching. I enjoy cheering on my Tennessee Volunteers and the United States national soccer team, winning as many intramural championships as possible, and enjoying the mountains with all they have to offer.
Alex Melkonian, Ph.D.
Director, Behaviorial Health - Bristol
I was raised in Virginia, and graduated from Virginia Tech with a B.S. in psychology. I completed my Ph.D. in Psychology at the University of Arkansas and completed my predoctoral clinical internship at the Medical University of South Carolina/Ralph H. Johnson Veteran's Affairs Medical Center in Charleston, SC. I then completed a two-year postdoctoral fellowship at the Charleston VAMC's Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center focused on concurrent substance use and posttraumatic stress disorder treatment and research.
Working as an integrated primary care psychologist in Bristol Family Medicine, I love the time I spend working with patients to help support their behavioral health goals and helping residents learn more about behavioral interventions in primary care. As a member of the College of Medicine's Institute for Integrated Behavioral Health, I appreciate the opportunity to contribute to the mission of growing integrated behavioral health services across ETSU Health through providing interprofessional clinical care and training.
After living in the low country of South Carolina for several years, I am thrilled to be back in the Appalachian Mountains - along with my wife and dog, I enjoy hiking and exploring local trails, biking, and cooking.
Ralph Mills, M.D., FAAFP
Assistant Professor - Sports Medicine
Dr. Ralph Mills is a native of Madisonville, Tennessee. He graduated from Hiwassee College in 1978, received his Bachelor of Science degree from King University in Bristol, Tennessee, in 1980, and earned his medical degree from East Tennessee State University Quillen College of Medicine in 1984. He is board-certified in sports medicine and family medicine.
Dr. Mills is a clinical assistant professor at East Tennessee State University, where he is heavily involved with BucSports, and he is also a team physician for the university. He is a fellow of the American Academy of Family Physicians and a member of the American Medical Society for Sports Medicine. Dr. Mills also works with various high schools throughout the region providing sports medicine coverage.
Jason Moore, M.D.
Professor, Director of Medical Student Education & Clerkship - Bristol, Chair
I am a lifelong Ohioan and graduate of Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, where I received my B.A. in zoology in 1995. I then attended Ohio State University College of Medicine to earn an M.D. degree and moved my family to Bristol to enter the Bristol Family Medicine Residency. As a second-year resident I was selected to serve as Chief Resident and in my third year was chosen to receive the Bristol program's "Society of Teachers of Family Medicine Resident Teacher of the Year Award." I completed my residency in June 2002 and joined the faculty at Bristol in August, because "Bristol is 'a good place to live' and the family medicine center is a great place to work."
My wife and I are the parents of six beautiful children. In my free time, I enjoy playing with my children, hiking, fly-fishing, Bible study, and watching Ohio State football!
Chase Mussard, M.D.
Assistant Professor - Bristol
Dr. Mussard grew up in the Upper Cumberland, and came back to his birthplace in the Appalachian Highlands to attend ETSU for his undergraduate studies. He obtained his B.S. in Chemistry in 2016, where he also competed for the Buccaneers in Track and Field/Cross Country. Dr. Mussard remained at ETSU, where he received his M.D. from Quillen College of Medicine in 2020. From there, he had the unique opportunity to train at the prestigious Oregon Health and Science University in Portland, Oregon. There, he completed their expanded 4 year comprehensive family medicine residency, with a special focus on full scope maternity care including surgical Obstetrics.
Dr. Mussard is board certified from the American Board of Family Medicine, and additionally eligible for certification from the ABPS Family Medicine Obstetrics with Surgical Qualification. He is also an active member in the American Academy of Family Physicians. He is excited to bring this broad scope and training experience back to serve the people of the Appalachian Highlands, and help develop and mentor the next generation of family physicians. Dr. Mussard is married to his wife and they have three beautiful daughters, with whom they enjoy traveling and exploring during their spare time.
Heather Newman M.D.
Associate Professor - Kingsport
I was born in Livonia, MI, but my family moved around a lot before ending up in Loveland, OH for most of my childhood. I received my undergraduate degree from Centre College in Danville, KY, where I played on the soccer team and in the orchestra. For medical school, I moved to Baltimore, Maryland, where I attended John Hopkins University School of Medicine. While at Hopkins, I discovered that I was truly passionate about primary care in the setting of complex chronic conditions. I attended the AAFP's yearly Family Medicine Conference in Kansas City, was fortunate enough to meet Dr. Mark Brummel at the ETSU Family Medicine booth, and eventually matched into the ETSU Kingsport Family Medicine Residency. While in Kingsport, I met my future family (my husband and two amazing stepsons) and we stayed in Kingsport after graduation. For four years, I worked at a federally qualified health center in Mountain City, TN while also teaching medical students in ETSU's Rural Primary Care Track. Eventually, life led me back to ETSU Kingsport Family Medicine and I am dedicated to helping shape the next generation of Family Physicians.
Outside of medicine, I enjoy camping, hiking, and being outdoors with my family. I've played ice hockey and soccer intermittently and have been a loyal Detroit Red Wings fan from birth. More recently, I can be found cheering on our boys in whatever athletic or musical endeavor they are engaged in.
Caleb Osborne, M.D.
Assistant Professor - Johnson City
I was born and raised in Alabama. I did my undergrad at Troy University and medical school at UAB. I came to ETSU for my Family Medicine residency, which I completed in 2021. I then stayed for an additional year as an Addiction Medicine fellow and am very happy to be staying on as faculty. I live in Johnson City with my wife (Lindsey) and 3 children, and we love the area and being so close to the mountains.
Jodi Polaha, Ph.D.
Professor - Research Institute of Behavioral Health
I am a native of Pennsylvania and received my B.S. in psychology from the University of Pittsburgh and my Ph.D. in child clinical psychology from Auburn University. My professional passion was lit at the start of my career in 1998 as an Assistant Professor at the University of Nebraska Medical Center where I helped develop a program of integrated behavioral health and pediatric practices. In 2006 I joined the faculty in Psychology at ETSU to develop curricular elements around a doctoral program in clinical psychology with a special focus on primary care.
Over the course of my career, I have seen patients in over a dozen primary care practices (pediatrics and family medicine), directed/managed start-up integration in over two dozen, and have supervised nearly 100 students from a variety of disciplines these clinics. I have played a role in the development of state policy around integrated practice and have an active program of research focused on integrated care as well as funded workforce development programs for developing integrated care in the region which have been federally funded. With these interests, I am very involved in ETSUs Interprofessional Education and Research Program, and was recently elected to the Board of Directors for the Collaborative Family Healthcare Association, a progressive professional organization committed to promoting comprehensive and cost-effective models of healthcare that integrates mind and body, individual and family, patients, providers, and communities.
The decision to relocate to ETSU was in part based on my husband and I being avid outdoors-people and weekends often find us and our two young sons exploring the mountains, lakes, rivers, and valleys of this beautiful region.
Allison Powers, M.D.
Assistant Professor - Johnson City
Dr. Powers received her M.D. from Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine in Richmond, Virginia. She completed her family medicine residency at the St. Francis Bon Secours Family Medicine Residency Program in Midlothian, Virginia. Dr. Powers additionally completed a fellowship in maternal newborn health at Beaumont Hospital — Wayne in Wayne, Michigan. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in public health from The College of William and Mary. She is board certified in family medicine and holds additional certifications in pediatric life support, advanced lifesaving in obstetrics, and in the neonatal resuscitation program.
Trask Printz, D.O.
Assistant Professor - Kingsport
I was born on a farm nestled in Virginia's Shenandoah Valley. I went to Longwood University in central Virginia for undergrad and VCOM Virginia for medical school. After completing my residency at ETSU Kingsport, I was able to continue on as faculty. I’m greatly looking forward to continuing to serve the people of Northeast Tennessee. My medical interests include hospital medicine, underserved care, global health, and osteopathic manipulative medicine (OMM). Outside of work I enjoy hiking, caving, and traveling. Above all I enjoy spending time with friends and family.
Jared Rhinehardt, M.D.
Faculty - Bristol
Joyce Troxler, M.D.
Associate Professor & Addiction Medicine Program Director - Johnson City
I am Board Certified in Family Medicine and Addiction Medicine. The majority of my clinical experience was gained in a rural community in Southwestern New Mexico, and my personal history is that of a rural upbringing in Central Appalachia. The last 3 years of my career in rural New Mexico was largely focused on providing treatment for Substance Use Disorder. In 2018 I returned to Tennessee to join the Department of Family Medicine.
Working with the Department of Family Medicine at East Tennessee State University, I assisted with the formation of an ACGME accredited Addiction Medicine Fellowship in 2019. Our ADM Fellowship graduates two physicians per year who will address the impact of addictive disorders in rural and under-served communities.
Elizabeth White, D.O.
Program Director - Bristol
Dr. White is a native of the Appalachian region and grew up in Richlands, Virginia. She attended Virginia Tech for her undergraduate degree and medical school at West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine in Lewisburg, West Virginia. She completed her residency training in family medicine with ETSU in Bristol, Tennessee. Dr. White enjoys practicing the full scope of family medicine, caring for all patients, from newborn to geriatric. She is thankful to remain in the Appalachian region and serve the community she considers her home.
She and her husband, Derek, enjoy spending time with their daughter and their four
dogs. She enjoys hiking, fishing, traveling with her family, DIY projects, and baking.
Benjamin Whitfield, D.O.
Assistant Professor / Hospitalist - Johnson City
Dr. Whitfield grew up in a tiny town in the foothills of Georgia and in Chattanooga. He was privileged to earn his undergraduate degree from The University of Georgia and his Master’s degree from Columbia University in New York City. He completed his basic medical requirements at Temple University and earned his medical degree from the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. Before he became a lifelong student, he worked with the Mayor’s Office of New York City, Doctors Without Borders in several African countries, FEMA, The Philadelphia Department of Health and as a top-notch motorcycle mechanic.
The only thing Dr. Whitfield enjoys more than practicing medicine is being outside. You can find him riding motorcycles, bear hunting, camping, hiking, gardening, or sitting around a bonfire with friends and cocktails. He has a weakness for chocolate chip cookies, homegrown tomatoes and dogs. Dr. Whitfield has a passion for providing medical care to underserved areas.