Dr. Thomas is a Professor at the Kirkhof College of Nursing at Grand Valley State University and a registered nurse with more than 40 years of experience spanning staff nurse to nurse executive and adjunct faculty to dean. She holds a PhD in Applied Management & Decision Sciences from Walden University, an MS and BSN from the University of Michigan, and an ADN from Lake Superior State College. Dr. Thomas is the President-Elect for the National Academies of Practice, an organization representing 17 health professional academies dedicated to interprofessional practice, education, scholarship, research, and policy. With a unified interprofessional voice, the National Academies of Practice is committed to healthcare transformation in support of affordable, accessible, coordinated care for all.

Over the last two decades, Dr. Thomas has built innovative academic-practice partnerships focused on workforce, clinical, and financial outcomes. A distinguished fellow in the National Academies of Practice, the American Academy of Nursing, and the American College of Healthcare Executives, she holds multiple national board certifications and has published, consulted, mentored, and presented internationally in nursing leadership, quality, safety, and implementation science. Additionally, Dr. Thomas serves as an American Nurses Credentialling Center Magnet Appraiser and Team Leader and site visitor for the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.