Emergency medicine pioneer, Dr. Donald Thomas, dies

By JOHN HULTGREN
Kentucky EMS Connection

LOUISVILLE — A legend in Kentucky emergency medicine, Dr. Donald Thomas, died quietly on his porch at home yesterday.

Dr. Thomas was one of the first physicians to specialize in emergency medicine. He helped found the University of Louisville Department of Emergency Medicine and was instrumental in creating Louisville EMS and UofL Hospital's STAT Flight.

Dr. Thomas served for many years as medical director for Louisville EMS and STAT Flight and as fire surgeon for the Louisville Division of Fire. He was a former Kentucky Fire Commission member.

Based on his wishes his body has been donated to the University of Louisville School of Medicine, according to his wife Edna who was at home with him when he died.

The Louisville Fire Department, and possibly the Jeffersontown Fire Department, will be coordinating a memorial service at a later date. Dr. Thomas was a former Trustee of the Jeffersontown Fire Protection District.

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