Dr. Thomas is an Associate Professor of Nursing at the McAuley School of Nursing (Grand
Rapids campus). She has taught for the University of Detroit Mercy since February,
2000 and was the founding chair of the collaborative nursing program with Detroit
Mercy, Aquinas College and Saint Mary’s Health Care (now Trinity Health Grand Rapids).
Dr. Thomas received her Bachelor of Science (in Nursing) from Texas Woman’s University,
and holds a Master of Science in Nursing from Rush University. She earned her doctorate
in nursing from Wayne State University. She also has degrees from Central Michigan
University and University of North Texas. She worked in oncology, pain management
and hospice/palliative care as and advanced practitioner for more than 20 years, and
currently works part time as a psychiatric nurse practitioner in addition to teaching.
She has published and presented at the local, state, regional and international levels
on topics related to oncology, caregiving, end of life care, and perinatal mood and
anxiety disorders.
