James E. Florence

James E. Florence is a Professor and Dean of the Department of Public Health at Appalachian College of Pharmacy. He holds a Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) in preventive care and a Master of Public Health (MPH) from Loma Linda University, alongside master’s degrees in biology and theology.

• Education: DrPH (preventive care), MPH, MS (biology), MS (theology)

His research focuses on community health interventions, rural health systems, and health professions training in Appalachia. He has developed graduate public health programs at Liberty University and East Tennessee State University, where he served as inaugural faculty and chair of the Department of Community and Behavioral Health. Florence also contributed to health seminars and training conferences at Meharry Medical College. Currently, he leads evidence-based community health education for pharmacy and public health students at ACP.

He resides in Piney Flats, Tennessee, with his wife Annette, two dogs (Macy and Max), and has three grown daughters and four grandchildren.