David C Thomas

Dr. David C. Thomas is a tenured Professor and currently serves as Chair of the Department of Medical Education and Dean of Medical Education at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. He holds joint appointments in the Department of Medicine (General Internal Medicine) and Department of Rehabilitation and Human Performance. With over 20 years at Mount Sinai, he has held numerous leadership positions including Associate Dean for Continuing Medical Education since 2011 and System Vice Chair for Education in the Department of Medicine.

His educational background includes:

• MD from Drexel University College of Medicine
• Master of Health Professions Education from University of Illinois at Chicago
• Master of Science in Public Health from Tufts University
• Residencies in Internal Medicine and Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation

Dr. Thomas specializes in medical education, internal medicine, and rehabilitation medicine with particular focus on curriculum development, faculty development, and educational theory. His research examines how medical residents learn in ambulatory settings and the effectiveness of student-run clinics for underserved populations. He has developed the Medical Education Track for Internal Medicine Residency Programs and directs the Acute Musculoskeletal Medicine Clinic.

His scholarly work demonstrates a strong emphasis on community-based healthcare, particularly through his co-founding of the East Harlem Health Outreach Partnership (EHHOP) in 2004. His publications span medical education theory, patient outcomes in student-run clinics, and strategies for caring for vulnerable populations.

Dr. Thomas has received numerous awards recognizing his excellence in teaching, clinical practice, and humanism in medicine:

• Multiple 'New York Best Doctors' recognitions (2007, 2012, 2014)
• Leonard Tow Humanism in Medicine Award (2011)
• Master Educator designation (2010)
• President's Higher Education Community Service Award for EHHOP (2007)
• Multiple teaching excellence awards throughout his career

As an educator and mentor, Dr. Thomas oversees undergraduate, graduate, and continuing medical education across the Mount Sinai Health System. He has been instrumental in developing educational programs, recruiting and training medical students, residents, fellows, and junior faculty. His leadership extends to chairing the Community Advisory Board for The Mount Sinai Hospital and serving in prominent roles within professional organizations including the Association of Professors of Medicine and Society of General Internal Medicine.

He maintains active involvement in community service through EHHOP, a student-run free clinic serving uninsured East Harlem residents, which he co-founded and has directed since 2004. His work bridges academic medicine with community healthcare needs, focusing particularly on health disparities and access to care for vulnerable populations.