Kaiser Permanente Bernard J. Tyson School of Medicine (KPSOM) announces the appointment of Patricia A. Thomas, MD, FACP, to the school’s board of directors. A nationally recognized leader in medical education, Dr. Thomas brings extensive experience in curriculum innovation, accreditation, and faculty development to KPSOM’s governance.
Dr. Thomas is Professor of Medicine Emerita at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine (JHUSOM), where she spent more than two decades in leadership roles shaping medical education, ambulatory medicine, and curricular development. During her tenure, she served as Vice Chair for Education in the Department of Medicine and Associate Dean for Curriculum in the School of Medicine and co-led the development of JHUSOM’s landmark “Genes to Society” curriculum, a forward-thinking model emphasizing patient-centered care and systems-based learning.
“I’m honored to join Kaiser Permanente Bernard J. Tyson School of Medicine’s Board of Directors,” said Dr. Thomas. “The school’s commitment to integrating clinical excellence with health systems science and community-centered care reflects the future of medical education. I look forward to supporting the school’s continued growth as it prepares physicians to navigate an increasingly complex healthcare landscape.”
In 2014, Dr. Thomas was recruited as Vice Dean for Medical Education at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, where she led the launch of new educational pathways in World Medicine, Health Innovation and Entrepreneurship, and Humanities, while expanding interdisciplinary learning and advancing clinical training models. She also oversaw the development and accreditation of a new Physician Assistant Studies program, reflecting her continued commitment to innovation in health professions education.
Throughout her career, Dr. Thomas has played a pivotal role in medical school accreditation, serving as a faculty lead for multiple successful accreditation cycles and as a consultant to medical schools in the United States and internationally. Her scholarly work includes foundational contributions to curriculum design, including her work as first-editor of the monograph Curriculum Development in Medical Education: A Six-Step Approach, which has been presented to clinician-educator faculties spanning the globe.
“We are delighted to welcome Dr. Thomas to our board,” said John L. Dalrymple, MD, KPSOM Dean and CEO. “Her depth of experience in curricular transformation and academic leadership will be invaluable as we continue to evolve our educational model and train physicians equipped to lead in a dynamic and changing healthcare environment.”
Glenn Hackbarth, JD, MPP, KPSOM Board Chair, also expressed enthusiasm for KPSOM’s newest board addition stating, “Dr. Thomas brings a rare combination of strategic vision and operational expertise in medical education. Her track record of advancing pioneering curricula and strengthening accreditation processes will greatly enhance the board’s ability to serve the school.”
