Since its inaugural class graduated in 2010, East Tennessee State University Bill Gatton College of Pharmacy has grown into a nationally recognized program with more than 1,000 alumni practicing around the world.  

To recognize these graduates for their professional accomplishments, leadership, innovation and service, the college presented its inaugural Gatton Alumni Excellence Awards to four alumni on Friday, Oct. 30, as part of ETSU's Homecoming celebration.  

This year's recipients are Drs. Scott Brewster (’17) and Kelsee Tignor (’23), who received the Emerging Leader Alumni Award; and Drs. Melissa McCall (’10) and Lucy Adkins Shell (’14), who received the Outstanding Alumni Award. These recipients reflect the college's mission and values while advancing pharmacy, healthcare, education and service to their communities.  

The Emerging Leader Alumni Award recognizes early-career graduates whose accomplishments and leadership demonstrate exceptional promise and potential. The Outstanding Alumni Award honors graduates whose sustained professional achievements, leadership and service have made a significant impact on pharmacy and healthcare.  

Brewster, managing director of pharmacy services for FQHC 340B compliance, has built a career focused on pharmacy leadership, healthcare strategy and improving access to care for underserved populations.  

During his time at Gatton, he served as president of the university's Academy of Student Pharmacists chapter and represented student pharmacists at the state and national levels, including as a national member-at-large for the American Pharmacists Association Academy of Student Pharmacists. Since graduation, he has continued to advance as a clinical pharmacist, educator and executive leader.  

Tignor is an assistant professor of Pharmacy Practice and residency program coordinator at South College School of Pharmacy. Through her work as an educator and mentor, she helps student pharmacists and residents develop the skills needed for successful careers in the profession.  

Her teaching excellence has earned her two consecutive Faculty Preceptor of the Year awards and the 2026 Student Executive Council Outstanding Faculty Award. She also contributes to pharmacy research through publications and presentations and has completed the Phi Lambda Sigma Leadership Academy.  

Shell is executive director of the Tennessee Board of Pharmacy, where she oversees licensure, inspection and disciplinary functions involving pharmacists, pharmacy technicians and pharmacies throughout the state.  

After completing an executive residency with the Tennessee Pharmacists Association, she served for seven years as director of pharmacy practice initiatives before becoming interim executive director and later assuming her current position. She remains committed to supporting future pharmacy professionals and serving as a resource for colleagues across Tennessee.  

McCall, a member of Gatton's inaugural Class of 2010, is a pharmacy professional services manager for Food City Pharmacy. She also holds a Master of Business Administration from Milligan University. Since 2015, she has overseen pharmacy operations across Northeast Tennessee, Southwest Virginia and Eastern Kentucky, supporting pharmacists at 31 locations.  

Beyond her work with Food City, she served seven years on the Tennessee Board of Pharmacy, including as president in 2023. She also maintains a strong connection to Gatton through student mentorship, guest lectures and recruitment of college graduates.  

“Our alumni are among the greatest reflections of the impact of a Gatton pharmacy education," said Dean Dr. Debbie Byrd. "Their accomplishments demonstrate the many ways pharmacists can lead, innovate and serve their communities. We are proud of what these graduates have achieved and grateful for the ways they continue to strengthen our profession and their connection to the college. I am excited for future years as we can continue to honor more Gatton alumni for their achievements.”  

ETSU Bill Gatton College of Pharmacy is one of the university's five health sciences colleges that comprise Tennessee's largest public Academic Health Sciences Center. ETSU prepares future health professionals through an interprofessional model that brings together students and faculty from multiple disciplines to learn with, from and about one another.    

Learn more at etsu.edu/pharmacy.