News

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’s graduate commencement ceremony on Friday, May 19 at 7 p.m. in the Event Center.

“Le Moyne’s 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,” said Dr. Thomas. “I’m extremely honored to be selected to address Le Moyne’s graduates this May.”

“On so many levels, Stephen Thomas’s professional experience serves as a wonderful example for our graduates,” said Purcell School of Professional Studies Dean Margaret Wells, Ph.D. “While many might recognize him for his media work during the recent pandemic, his expertise within the entire infectious disease realm is remarkable.”

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 and completing his career as the institute’s Deputy Commander for Operations. 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.