Quillen College of Medicine ranked in top tier for primary care; to increase class size to 100 students in 2026

The Quillen College of Medicine told the Board of Trustees that the college is ranked in U.S. News & World Report’s 2025 primary‑care tier‑1 group, is one of 16 schools in that tier and the only Tennessee institution in that category, the college’s dean said during the meeting.

Dean Dr. Block (as introduced at the meeting) reported strong enrollment and graduation data and said most Quillen graduates practice in health‑professional shortage areas. The college also reported providing more than $3,200,000 per year in uncompensated health care to the region and described ongoing partnership work with Ballad Health to support clinical training and service delivery.

Beginning in 2026 the college plans to increase enrollment with a first class of 100 students, the presentation said. Trustees were given the college’s strategic priorities, including service to rural communities, biomedical research and physician education targeted at underserved areas.

Why it matters: The stated combination of a national primary care ranking, a large share of graduates working in shortage areas and a planned class expansion bear on regional physician supply and on ETSU’s clinical education footprint.

Attribution and source material: Direct numbers and program details are drawn from the trustees’ meeting presentation by Dr. Block and the Provost’s committee update. The college’s partnership with Ballad Health and the uncompensated care figure were presented at the meeting.