Eric Thomas

Eric J. Thomas, M.D., M.P.H. is a Professor of Medicine and Associate Dean for Healthcare Quality at the McGovern Medical School at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston. He also directs the UT Houston-Memorial Hermann Center for Healthcare Quality and Safety. Since 1992 he has conducted research on patient safety and his work was heavily cited in the Institute of Medicine's reports To Err is Human (2000), and Improving Diagnosis in Health Care (2015). Dr. Thomas’ current research focuses on topics such as diagnostic errors, measuring safety culture, and engaging families and frontline clinicians in detecting harm and improving patient safety. Dr. Thomas also serves as the Chancellor’s Health Fellow for Patient Safety for The University of Texas System. In that role he leads UT System efforts regarding disclosure of errors, a quality and safety grants program, and he serves on the steering committee for the UT System Clinical Safety and Effectiveness Course. As Associate Dean for Healthcare Quality he works with other leaders of the UT Houston Medical School to develop quality and safety programs within the education, research, and patient care missions of the school. In 2007 he received the John M. Eisenberg Patient Safety and Quality Award for Research from the National Quality Forum and Joint Commission.