Compassionate Caregiver 2001 Awardee
Ann-Marie Thomas, MD

As a specialist in internal medicine and rehabilitation medicine at Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, Dr. Ann-Marie Thomas treats some of the most clinically and emotionally challenging patients, those with severe and chronic addictive disorders often combined with physical and medical disabilities. She has shown what a tremendous impact the compassion, perseverance, and dedication of one physician can have. In the poignant words of one of her patients, she has transformed lives from "hopeless to hopeful" with "patience and compassion" that is truly astonishing.

Indeed, no better testimony to Dr. Thomas' outstanding compassion can be found than in the words of the patient who nominated her for this award: "She has a genuine interest and compassion for the disease, and talked to me whenever and for whatever time I needed, busy as she was! She listened and helped me to understand the disease of addiction. She is highly professional, reassuring, and compassionate, exceeding any medical treatment and attention I have ever experienced at my age of 72."

Another patient describes his 45 years of addiction, his hundreds of detoxification experiences and his resultant medical problems. He says, "There was something missing and I don't know what it was. She took me, a weak, tremoring, confused and very fearful individual out of a wheelchair and gave me the gift of inspiration. "

As a young girl in England, Dr. Thomas decided to pursue a career in medicine. After moving to the United States, she entered Temple University where she excelled. She began her career as a physical therapist working every weekend and holiday while attending Temple University School of Medicine. After completing a combined residency program in Internal Medicine and Physiatry, she came to the Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital.

At Spaulding, Dr. Thomas' energies have brought about wonderful and important improvements to a hospital already nationally recognized as one of the best in its field. As Dr. Nancy Nitenson, Director of Addiction Services at Spaulding, remarks, Dr. Thomas "... always remains open to talking to family members and does an excellent job at educating families about both medical illnesses and addictive disorders ... I am proud to work with this bright, energetic, and compassionate physician."

In addition to serving as the Director of Inpatient Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Services and Assistant Medical Director of Inpatient Addiction Services at Spaulding, Dr. Thomas is an instructor at Harvard Medical School. In her own words, "I continue to be amazed by the power of the patient-caregiver relationship. I have learned that a big hug can be as therapeutic as an antibiotic, a smile as comforting as an analgesic, and a kind word or hand on the shoulder more uplifting than any medical procedure."