David Thomas
David Thomas BSN, MPA, EMBA, FACHE, CEN, RN-AMB
Regional Director of Operations
Kaiser Permanente
David Thomas, a native of New York City, enlisted in in the Navy in 1990. Starting off his career as a Hospital Corpsman (the Navy term for Nursing Assistant/First Responder), he recognized his calling to become a Registered Nurse. After earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing at the University of Minnesota, he was commissioned a U.S. Navy Nurse Corps Officer in 1994.
During his career, David has served in a wide variety of clinical, administrative, combat operations, and executive leadership positions.
As faculty for the Clinic Management Course, Thomas has traveled worldwide to teach outpatient efficiency, quality improvement, enrollment, template management, and customer service techniques. He is published in Nursing Economics and Military Medicine journals, and is also lauded as a key contributor for three international publications: Role of the RN in Ambulatory Care; Scope & Standards for Ambulatory Care (4th edition); and Ambulatory Care Certification Review Questions. A Content Expert for the American Academy of Ambulatory Care Nurses (AAACN), David has twice been invited as a main stage podium speaker for the AAACN annual conferences – delivering talks on Reducing Preventable Readmissions and Implementing a Centralized Nurse Advice Line. Most recently, he recorded curriculum for the Telephone Triage Course.

David completed his Master’s in Public Administration/Health Care Administration from the University of Oklahoma his Executive MBA from Naval Post-graduate School. He maintains certifications in Emergency Nursing, Ambulatory Care, and is a Fellow in the American Congress for Healthcare Executives.
David retired from the Navy in 2023 and is currently working for Kaiser Permanente as the Regional Director for Operations in Behavioral Health where he oversees all clinical operations for more than 800,000 members across the Mid-Atlantic States.
David Thomas is married to a former Navy Pediatrician. He and his wife have three children.