Black Health Matters: Conversing with Dr. Billy Thomas

Billy Thomas, M.D., M.P.H., is the former and first Medical Director of the 12th Street Health and Wellness Center. He is a Professor of Neonatology at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) and former Vice Chancellor for Diversity and Inclusion in the Center for Diversity Affairs (CDA). Dr. Thomas earned his Medical Degree at UAMS in 1980. He completed his internship and residency training in Pediatrics at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences/Arkansas Children’s Hospital. He subsequently completed a fellowship in Neonatal/Perinatal medicine at Case Western Reserve/Metropolitan General Hospital and later received a Master’s in Public Health from the Tulane School of Public Health. Dr. Thomas combines an active clinical practice with his duties as the Co-PI (Principle Investigator) on two NIH funded program grants. His clinical service is primarily inpatient and focuses on the care of critically ill neonates. In addition to his clinical responsibilities he teaches and mentors not only students and residents but also junior faculty. He also serves on multiple committees with a primary goal of increasing institutional diversity through the recruitment and retention of minority and underserved students and faculty. Dr. Thomas is the first Black Neonatalogist in the state of Arkansas.