News and Progress

Medical Alumnus Gives $2 Million to MU to Improve Pediatric Care

Oct. 20, 2006

Dr. Mark E. and Theresa Thompson Thoman visited MU for the announcement of their gift of $2 million to the School of Medicine.

A $2 million gift from Dr. Mark Edward and Theresa Thompson Thoman will establish an endowed chair in pediatrics at the University of Missouri-Columbia's School of Medicine. A primary purpose of the gift is to raise public awareness about the unique health care needs of children and stress the importance of patient-centered care, which involves parents in the decision-making process.

“Dr. and Mrs. Thoman sincerely care about improving healthcare for children and are strong supporters of patient-centered care,” said MU Chancellor Brady Deaton. “We're enthusiastic about the opportunities their generous gift to the School of Medicine will provide for our students and faculty to learn about and research preventive and patient-centered pediatrics.”

Patient-centered care was an important part of Dr. Thoman's distinguished career as a pediatrician and expert on toxicology. “Anticipatory guidance,” the discussion and prediction of what parents might expect at their child's various growth stages, will be at the heart of the MU chair funded by the Thomans' gift. Duties of the chair will include teaching and research of preventive care and anticipatory guidance.

“Pediatricians should always include parents as partners in the decision-making process and spend as much time as necessary to provide individualized patient care,” Dr. Thoman said. “Our gift to MU will support a pediatrician who embodies these values and will teach others to do the same.”

The gift was instigated by Mrs. Thoman to recognize her husband's career and improve the future of pediatrics. She said she wants their gift to ensure that other physicians have the support they need to follow in the footsteps of Dr. Thoman, who always placed the highest priority on serving children, infants, mothers and fathers.

“Although I do not have children of my body, I have children of my heart, and I have always cared deeply for them, especially the thousands who were treated by my husband,” Mrs. Thoman said. “With this gift to MU, we will continue to help many other children by ensuring they also have access to excellent pediatric care."

Dr. Thoman graduated from MU with a bachelor's degree in 1958 and a medical degree in 1962; he then completed an internship in pediatrics at MU in 1963. He went on to a 35-year career treating children and serving families as a practicing pediatrician in Des Moines, Iowa. He held numerous leadership roles with the American Academy of Clinical Toxicology, serving as its president for two years and as editor-in-chief of its official publication for 15 years. He also held numerous staff and faculty appointments at Des Moines area hospitals, including serving as an attending physician and faculty member at Iowa Methodist Medical Center and Blank Children's Hospital. He served as chief of pediatrics for Iowa Lutheran Hospital, Mercy Franklin Community Hospital and Broadlawns Medical Center, where he was also president of the medical executive committee and interim chief medical officer. In 2005, he received the American Academy of Clinical Toxicology's Career Recognition Award. Dr. Thoman also has been one of the MU School of Medicine's most supportive graduates. He served as president of the School's alumni organization and has been a coordinator of the Class of 1962 for nearly 45 years.

“As a pediatrician, I especially appreciate the Thomans' commitment to our most precious resource, our children,” said William M. Crist, who is Hugh E. and Sarah D. Stephenson Dean for the MU School of Medicine. “Their endowed chair will support a champion for excellence in pediatrics and help MU serve as a national role model for improving child health.”

MU is home to mid-Missouri's only children's hospital and the region's most experienced team for treating patients from infancy to adolescence. MU pediatricians provide care in more than 30 pediatric subspecialties.