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East Tennessee State University’s Quillen College of Medicine held a military promotion ceremony last week for four members of its Class of 2024.

On Friday, May 3, the following graduates were promoted into the military just hours before the college’s formal commencement ceremony:

• Dr. Alexander Davila, Captain, U.S. Army. Davila will complete residency at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Md., specializing in anesthesiology.
• Dr. Cecelia Brown, Captain, U.S. Army. Brown will complete residency at Womack Army Medical Center in Fort Liberty, N.C., specializing in orthopedic surgery.
• Dr. Lillith Bulawa, Captain, U.S. Air Force. Bulawa will complete residency at UMass Chan Medical School in Worcester, Mass., specializing in emergency medicine.
• Dr. Stephen Roberts, Captain, U.S. Air Force. Roberts will complete residency with ETSU Health in Kingsport, specializing in orthopedic surgery.

“I did not know for sure I wanted to join the military until a year into medical school,” said Bulawa, who had been involved with the college since attending a Rural High School Medical Camp when she was younger. “I think my trepidation could have gotten the better of me, but I was surrounded by military students who encouraged me. I couldn’t have done it without them.

“Any accredited medical school will get you where you need to be, but Quillen provides students with the support to allow them to thrive,” Bulawa continued.

The Quillen College of Medicine has a strong reputation for being “Military Friendly®,” and boasts one of the highest percentages of enrolled veteran and military students in the nation.

“At Quillen, our commitment to being Military Friendly® runs deep, and we are incredibly proud to host this ceremony annually to celebrate the brave men and women who have chosen to serve their country after graduating from Quillen,” said Dr. Bill Block, dean of the College of Medicine and ETSU vice president for Clinical Affairs.