Lora Thomas, MD

Biography

Keeping patients safe from infectious disease through treatment and research

As an infectious disease (ID) specialist and researcher, Dr. Lora Thomas isn’t the physician who will perform the transplant — but she’s just as critical a member of the team.

She and her team monitor for and treat infections that are common in patients who have received organ or bone marrow transplants. “Since transplant recipients have abnormal immune systems, they are prone to more unusual infections, like viral or fungal infections, that are not commonly encountered in the general population,” she explains. “We are in continuous communication with other transplant providers for the ongoing management of our mutual patients.”

Such therapies include an array of antimicrobial agents, with many coming available year after year in a medical field that is constantly changing. That means Thomas and other ID specialists must stay current on new and emerging pathogens, the latest antimicrobial agents and evolving medical guidelines on management of various complex infections.

Thomas earned her medical degree from the Medical College of Ohio and holds a master’s degree in public health from Vanderbilt University. She is certified in ID by the American Board of Internal Medicine.

But her efforts don’t end at direct patient care.

Over the years, Thomas has been involved in multiple studies and clinical trials that evaluate improving care for immunosuppressed and transplant patients, with a focus on vaccine safety, infection prevention and the management of complex infectious diseases. She has presented her findings at major state, national and international meetings, including the American Transplant Congress and the annual meetings of the Infectious Diseases Society of America.

Advice to Patients:

“Never be afraid or embarrassed to ask your physician questions. It is what we are here for.”