The work of East Tennessee State University faculty reaches far beyond the classroom — into clinics, communities and lives across the region.  

On Friday, Feb. 6, the ETSU Great Lecture series celebrates that impact by featuring newly promoted full professors from the colleges of Medicine and Pharmacy, inviting the public to hear firsthand how their research, service and teaching are shaping the future of health care in Appalachia.

These lectures will be given by Drs. Caroline Abercrombie, David Cluck and Jeff Gray. They will deliver their free public lectures beginning at 2 p.m. in the East Tennessee Room on the second level of the D.P. Culp Student Center.  

Dr. Caroline Abercrombie on the power of mentorship

In 2011, Abercrombie joined the ETSU Quillen College of Medicine, where she is now a professor and senior director of experiential learning for the simulation programs. Her lecture is titled “The Art of the Pivot: A Career Built on Mentors and Meaningful Solutions.”

She received her M.D. and completed a surgery internship at Mercer University School of Medicine, where she also served as a faculty member.  

Her passion for community is fulfilled through her position as director of community engagement for the Center for Interprofessional Collaboration and her involvement with the Office of Continuing Education for Health Professionals, delivering need-based educational sessions. 

Dr. David Cluck on the importance of collaboration

Cluck is a professor of pharmacy practice at ETSU Bill Gatton College of Pharmacy. His lecture is titled “The Distance to Here.”  

He received his Pharm.D. degree from the Auburn University Harrison School of Pharmacy and later joined the faculty at ETSU after completing an infectious diseases specialty residency at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center.  

Outside the classroom, Cluck serves as an infectious diseases clinical pharmacist and preceptor at Johnson City Medical Center. His research interests include antiretroviral pharmacotherapy, antimicrobial stewardship and antibacterial drug resistance.  

He has been designated as a fellow in both the Infectious Diseases Society of America and American College of Clinical Pharmacy – the highest honor for the respective organizations. He was also recently named the 2025 recipient of the “Outstanding Faculty Scholar Award” from the university.  

Dr. Jeff Gray on fostering accountability, responsibility and meaning

Gray is a professor in the Department of Pharmacy Practice at ETSU Bill Gatton College of Pharmacy and adjunct professor at the ETSU College of Public Health.  

With experience in the pharmaceutical industry and medical communications, he joined the university in 2008. He is currently a clinical pharmacist with the interprofessional ALS clinic guided by the Quillen College of Medicine. He also has more than a decade of practice experience in chronic disease management and long-term care pharmacy.  

His service and research interests focus on harm reduction in the region, including medication disposal, expanded vaccine access, substance use disorder, and service expansion in community-based pharmacy environments.  

In 2025, Gray earned ETSU’s highest service award – The Distinguished Faculty Award for Service.  

His lecture is titled “What the F-A-R-M Taught Me: Fostering, Accountability, Responsibility, and Meaning.”

ETSU faculty lead the way in research, teaching and service, helping to position ETSU as the flagship of Appalachia.

For disability accommodations, call the ETSU Office of Disability Services at (423) 439-8346.

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