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Memorial for Dr. Thomas scheduled for Saturday
By JOHN HULTGREN
Kentucky EMS Connection
LOUISVILLE — A memorial service for Donald Thomas, M.D., will be held Saturday, April 5, from 1 PM until 3 PM at the Louisville Division of Fire station located at 235 East Jefferson Street.
"Because of his dedication to the fire service and emergency medicine, the fire station that serves UofL Hospital seemed to be an appropriate venue," said Louisville Fire Chief Gregory Frederick.
"'Doc' Thomas served this community in many capacities and both the Louisville Division of Fire and the Jeffersontown Fire Protection District wish to invite you to share your thoughts with his family and friends in this remembrance," Frederick said.
Donald Malvern Thomas, M.D., 78, died at his home on March 26.
Born on Feb. 23, 1930, in Flushing, New York, Dr. Thomas grew up in Westwood, New Jersey. He attended Trinity College in Hartford and the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine in Pittsburgh.
He served in the United States Air Force and was stationed at Mitchel Field.
Dr. Thomas joined the Department of Anesthesia at the University of Louisville School of Medicine in 1959. His research of inhalation injuries led to friendships with members of the Louisville Fire Department and contributed to his interest in fire, rescue, and pre-hospital care of victims of fire and trauma.
He was later offered the position of chief of emergency care at Louisville General Hospital. From this beginning, his interest in the education of emergency physicians evolved into one of the first recognized Departments of Emergency Medicine in the U.S. He served as national faculty at meetings of the American College of Emergency Medicine and the American Board of Emergency Medicine.
The emergency medicine program he developed at UofL was nationally recognized for excellence in the care and treatment of the ill and injured and also for the well-trained emergency medicine physicians it produced.
Dr. Thomas is also remembered for promoting Emergency Medical Technician and paramedic education in Louisville as well as in the state and region.
He served as the Fire Surgeon for the City of Louisville for 29 years, responding to many fires and emergency situations. He was an appointed member of the Jeffersontown Fire Board of Trustees and a member of the Kentucky Fire Commission for many years. He served as Medical Director for both the City of Louisville EMS and the Jefferson County Police Emergency Medical Services.
Dr. Thomas established UofL Hospital's air medical program, STAT Flight, and often flew on missions as a flight physician crew member.
He is survived by his wife Edna (Vanderwege) and daughters Deborah (Patrick Ryan), Susan Davis (Stephen), and Larissa Cave (Dr. Matthew); granddaughter Rachel Davis; and grandsons Jacob Thomas-Burns and William and Samuel Cave.
The family asks that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Department of Emergency Medicine at University of Louisville.
Dr. Thomas' body has been donated to the University of Louisville School of Medicine.
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