A native of Kingsport, Bailey Qualls, PA-C, received her bachelor of science degree in chemistry with a minor in humanities from East Tennessee State University (ETSU), graduating summa cum laude. She went on to complete her master’s degree in physician’s assistant studies from the South College Physician’s Assistant Program, Knoxville, Tenn. Though she served at East Tennessee Brain & Spine Center as a medical assistant during her training at ETSU, Qualls began serving as a physician’s assistant at ETBS in 2012. Her top area of expertise is Fractured Spine.

A native of East Tennessee, Ricky Maupin, PA-C, received his undergraduate degree in allied health with a concentration in radiography at East Tennessee State University, graduating summa cum laude. With experience as an x-ray technologist, Maupin went on to receive his master’s degree in physician assistant studies from the University of Alabama, Birmingham. Maupin joined East Tennessee Brain & Spine in 2012. His top area of expertise is Fractured Spine.

. His top area of expertise is Fractured Spine.

I am originally from northern Virginia, but I came to this area to get my master’s from ETSU. Later, I completed the Physician Assistant Program at Lincoln Memorial University in Harrogate, Tennessee. I grew up playing sports, and through various injuries, I developed a strong interest in orthopedics and sports medicine. Helping patients with orthopedic needs and watching their progression and improvement brings me great joy. His top area of expertise is Sacroiliac Joint Disease.

. His top areas of expertise are Atrial Tachycardia, Atrioventricular Nodal Reentrant Tachycardia (AVNRT), and Paroxysmal Supraventricular Tachycardia (PSVT).

Kyle Morgan, PA-C, is a certified physician assistant specializing in orthopedics, with advanced training in orthopedic trauma. As a Kingsport native, Kyle chose to build his career close to his roots and stay near to family while giving back to the community that raised him. He believes in treating patients with the same care and respect he would want for himself or his loved ones. Kyle enjoys educating patients and helping them recover after an injury or surgery. The ability to watch a patient progress through their recovery is extremely rewarding to him, as well as helping them overcome any struggles they experience along the way. Outside of the clinic, Kyle enjoys woodworking, outdoor sports, travel, and time with family. His top areas of expertise are Rhizarthrosis and Scaphoid Non-Union.

. Her top areas of expertise are Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction (HFpEF), Homozygous Familial Hypercholesterolemia (HoFH), and Heterozygous Familial Hypercholesterolemia (HeFH).

. Her top area of expertise is Cervical Myelopathy.

. Her top area of expertise is End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD).

Originally from Church Hill, Lindsey Dollar, PA-C has always called the Appalachian Highlands home, drawn to its four seasons and rich community life. With a background in family medicine, her passion for cardiology grew from seeing the widespread impact of heart disease. “Having worked in family medicine, I have seen how heart disease negatively affects so many other parts of the body,” she says. “Prevention and management of heart disease is vital to our overall health, and I love having the ability to improve this in patients’ lives.” Inspired by the loss of her mother at a young age, she chose medicine to help others prevent similar outcomes. When she is not in clinic, Lindsey enjoys time with family, outdoor activities, church involvement and serving in local organizations. Her top areas of expertise are Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) and Chronic Rhinosinusitis with Nasal Polyps (CRSwNP).

A native of East Tennessee, Wes Perry, PA-C, received his undergraduate degree in biology from East Tennessee State University. Following, he completed his physician’s assistant training with Duke University, Durham, NC. Perry’s experience, including years served in the United States Army as a military medic, includes both general orthopedics and neurosurgical care, with Perry joining East Tennessee Brain & Spine Center in 2001.

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Erin is a native of Grand Rapids, Michigan. She received her undergraduate degree at Grand Valley State University and moved to Tennessee to attend PA school at Lincoln Memorial University where she graduated with academic honors in 2013. She began her PA career working in Internal Medicine but found a passion for Neurosurgery and joined East Tennessee Brain and Spine in 2015. In her spare time Erin enjoys spending time being active outdoors and spending time with family and friends.

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. Her top area of expertise is ALK-Positive Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer.

Caitlen Petschke, PA-C, had no idea volunteering at a free clinic in college would cultivate a passion in her heart that would eventually lead to her career. It was through this volunteer experience Caitlen discovered her love for building relationships. She believes that it is through patient-provider interactions that a healthy foundation is established. Caitlen aims to always provide a listening ear and a compassionate response, assuring her patients they are being heard. Now, her favorite part is getting to know her patients, watching them grow up and helping them along their journeys through adolescence.

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"Kara Ratliff, PA-C, believes that listening is one of the most powerful tools in patient care. ""Every individual is unique,"" she says. ""Their circumstances, symptoms and goals guide how I care for them."" Originally from Buffalo, New York, and a big fan of the Buffalo Bills, Kara has lived in several states but has found a true sense of home in the Appalachian Highlands. She's drawn to the region's natural beauty, outdoor adventures and the peaceful lifestyle it offers. Kara is passionate about supporting veteran groups and connecting with local moms.".

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"Jeff Lawson, PA-C, is grateful for the opportunity to interact with his patients, and he strives to make a difference in their health and quality of life. His personal philosophy is to ""provide all patients with the most compassionate care possible and to treat them the way I would want to be treated."" He builds trust with his patients by taking time to interact with them and allowing them to discuss their symptoms and concerns. A native of Kingsport, Lawson loves the mountains, the natural parks and the beautiful weather the Appalachian Highlands offers.".

"Physician assistant Paul Lee's desire to pursue a career in medicine was sparked by his family. Both of his aunts have doctorates in nursing and taught at the collegiate level. A native of Decatur, Alabama, Lee attended college in Alabama but moved to Kingsport to begin his career as a physician assistant. He fell in love with the people, the weather and the outdoor activities in the Appalachian Highlands. Lee appreciates how working in vascular surgery enables him to help others. ""It's especially rewarding to see patients improve after I perform certain procedures on them,"" he says.".

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"Ashley Roberts, PA-C, was inspired to become a physician assistant specializing in vascular medicine because ""there is a great need for this specialty, especially in East Tennessee and Southwest Virginia and there is a great opportunity to change patients' lives in this field,"" she says. Born and raised in Johnson City, Roberts loves the people and the patients who call the Appalachian Highlands home. ""One personal goal of mine is to make patients feel like they are an important part of my day. They may be my 20th patient that day patient that day, but they had me on their calendars for months.""".

Tabitha Kaneshiro, PA-C, moved from Hawaii to Tennessee to pursue her education in healthcare. Her interest in medicine began in high school when her father nearly lost his leg to a rare but very serious bacterial infection – an experience that sparked her passion for surgery. Tabitha was drawn to the hands-on, life-saving work in heart and lung surgery, which led her to become a cardiothoracic surgical physician assistant. “I was especially inspired by the teamwork and skill it takes to do these kinds of procedures,” she says. Now based in the Appalachian Highlands, Tabitha enjoys the “beautiful scenery and lots of outdoor adventures.” She enjoys playing soccer, ultimate frisbee and enjoying water sports on the lake or at the beach.

Elizabeth Timbs, PA-C, is originally from Erwin, Tennessee. She and her husband appreciate the region's breathtaking beauty. Inspired by her family's medical background, Elizabeth pursued a career as a physician assistant, drawn to the intricacies of cardiology. She treasures the collaborative journey with her patients, emphasizing holistic care that encompasses body, mind and soul.  Firmly believing in the power of listening, she values her patients' insights as primary resources. Elizabeth enjoys reading and supporting local businesses and community events.