SUNY Upstate Physician and Scientist Dr. Stephen Thomas to Give Le Moyne Graduate Commencement Address
Stephen J. Thomas, M.D., an infectious diseases physician and researcher who serves as a professor of medicine and microbiology and immunology at SUNY Upstate Medical University in Syracuse, will be the speaker at Le Moyne鈥檚 graduate commencement ceremony on Friday, May 19 at 7 p.m. in the Event Center.
鈥淟e Moyne鈥檚 graduate programs produce highly educated and trained professionals in the fields of health care, education, and business. As important as their specialty education is the teaching they receive on the value in serving their community,鈥� said Dr. Thomas. 鈥淚鈥檓 extremely honored to be selected to address Le Moyne鈥檚 graduates this May.鈥�
鈥淥n so many levels, Stephen Thomas鈥檚 professional experience serves as a wonderful example for our graduates,鈥� said Purcell School of Professional Studies Dean Margaret Wells,聽Ph.D. 鈥淲hile many might recognize him for his media work during the recent pandemic, his expertise within the entire infectious disease realm is remarkable.鈥�
Prior to joining Upstate in 2016, Dr. Thomas spent 20 years in the U.S. Army serving at the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research聽and completing his career as the institute鈥檚 Deputy Commander for Operations.聽Early in his military career, Dr. Thomas spent more than five years living and working in Thailand and Southeast Asia. He played a key leadership role during the West Africa Ebola outbreak, advising senior Department of Defense leadership and leading his team in planning and executing Ebola vaccine trials. He retired serving as the deputy commander for operations of the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research.
Dr. Thomas earned his Bachelor of Arts with Honors in Biomedical Ethics from Brown University, his medical degree from the Albany Medical College, and completed his internship and residency in Internal Medicine/Infectious Diseases at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center. He is board certified in infectious diseases and is a Fellow in the American College of Physicians, Infectious Diseases Society of America, and the American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene.
