(Above, Caleb, Nathaniel, Morgan, and Natalie together at Nathaniel's 2019 DCOM Commencement)
At Saturday’s inaugural commencement of the LMU-College of Dental Medicine (LMU-CDM), Natalie Greene Tomes completed a remarkable family milestone, joining her three brothers as doctoral graduates of the same university.
Her achievement carries added significance as part of LMU-CDM’s first Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) graduating class, marking a historic moment for both her family and the university. The ceremony, held May 16 at the Knoxville Convention Center, honored 77 graduates and celebrated the college’s first cohort to complete its four-year program.
Nathaniel, Caleb and Morgan Greene each earned their degrees from the LMU-DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine (LMU-DCOM), making the Greene family’s accomplishment both rare and deeply rooted in a shared commitment to health care. Together, the four siblings represent a growing legacy shaped by service, education and a passion for caring for others in the Appalachian region.
The Greene family’s connection to health care began during their childhood, watching their parents operate a small local clinic.
“Our father is in medicine, and we all grew up going to his and my mom’s clinic every day before we started school and even during the summers,” Tomes said. “Since it is a family business with just him and my mother, we were able to really see the behind the scenes as well as interact with the patients. We saw how the patients looked up to my parents and how they were helping people, so I think from a young age we all knew we wanted to do something in the medical field.”
While her brothers pursued osteopathic medicine, Tomes discovered her own passion for dentistry through her experiences as a patient.
“It was so crazy to see how my smile was transformed,” Tomes said. “I realized that I wanted to be able to help others feel confident with their smile.”
Tomes said watching her brothers navigate the challenges of medical school also prepared her for the dedication required to complete her own doctoral journey.
“I saw how hard my brothers had to work to get their degree, so I knew I was going to have to have a strong work ethic and drive to get my degree from LMU,” she said.
Choosing LMU was a meaningful decision for the Greene siblings because of their shared love for Appalachia and their desire to serve the communities they call home.
“My brothers and I grew up in the Appalachian region, and we all love this area,” Tomes said. “We knew we wanted to be able to provide health care here, so it was special getting to pursue our education at LMU.”
As a graduate, Tomes is eager to continue her family’s legacy through her work as a dentist.
“I know each of my brothers makes an impact on their patients’ lives, so I am excited to be able to do the same in the dental community,” she said.
Lincoln Memorial University is a values-based learning community dedicated to providing educational experiences in the liberal arts and professional studies. Lincoln Memorial University-College of Dental Medicine (LMU-CDM) is home to the Doctor of Medicine in Dentistry (DMD) and Dental Hygiene (DH) programs. It is in Knoxville at the newly renovated LMU Tower. For more information about LMU-CDM programs contact, CollegeofDentalMedicine@LMUnet.edu.
The DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine is located on the campus of Lincoln Memorial University in Harrogate, Tennessee, at LMU-Knoxville in Knoxville, Tennessee, and at LMU-Orange Park in Orange Park, Florida. LMU-DCOM is an integral part of LMU’s values-based learning community and is dedicated to preparing the next generation of osteopathic physicians to provide health care in the often-underserved region of Appalachia and beyond. For more information about LMU-DCOM, call 1.800.325.0900, ext. 7082, email dcom@LMUnet.edu, or visit us online at http://med.LMUnet.edu.
