Eric J. Thomas

Eric J. Thomas, MD, MPH, is fellowship-trained and board-certified in internal medicine. He’s passionate and knowledgeable about disease prevention and health promotion through diet and exercise. He helps patients manage multiple complex medical conditions by thoughtfully evaluating new symptoms to make timely and correct diagnoses. 
Thomas encourages patient engagement and shared decision-making in all aspects of care. He believes primary care is team-based, with the patient being the most important team member. He works with a remarkable multidisciplinary team that strives to be responsive to calls and messages and listens closely to patient concerns. 
Thomas is a professor in the Department of Internal Medicine and associate dean for healthcare quality at McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston. He holds the Griff T. Ross Professorship in Humanities and Technology in Health Care. 
Since 1992, Thomas has conducted research on patient safety. His work was heavily cited in the …National Academy of Medicine’s report on medical error. His current research focuses on diagnostic errors, measuring safety culture, improving teamwork, and using health information technology to improve quality and safety. 
In 2007, Thomas received the John M. Eisenberg Patient Safety and Quality Award for Research from the National Quality Forum and Joint Commission. He co-leads a wide range of efforts to measure and improve the quality and safety of care delivered at UT Physicians clinics. As a professor, he teaches students, residents, and junior faculty members.
Outside of work, Thomas enjoys spending time with his family. He likes to cook, read, and exercise through swimming, cycling, or hiking.