Lori Thomas, PhD, ARNP, ACNP-BC/ANP-BC
Clinical Assistant Professor,
Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Track Coordinator
University of Florida
PO Box 100187
Gainesville, FL 32610-0187
Telephone: 352-273-6390
Fax: 352-273-6536
Email: thomala@ufl.edu
Teaching
Dr. Thomas teaches graduate students in the acute care nurse practitioner and adult nurse practitioner MSN and DNP programs. She also teaches in the post-masters acute care nurse practitioner certificate program. She serves as Track Coordinator for the Acute Care Nurse Practitioner track.
Research and Scholarly Activities
Dr. Thomas’ research focus is on symptom assessment and management of acutely and critically ill persons with an emphasis on dyspnea management in individuals with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). Her research includes COPD dyspnea management by family caregivers, dyspnea assessment of mechanically ventilated patients in the intensive care unit (ICU), symptom assessment and management in the ICU, and communication needs of intubated and/or speechless patients.
Service
Dr. Thomas’ clinical expertise is in adult medical-surgical and critical care nursing as well as advanced nursing practice in the care of acutely and critically ill adults.
Dr. Thomas holds memberships in:
American Association of Critical Care Nurses
Florida Nurses Association
Phi Kappa Phi, University of South Florida Chapter National Academic Honor Society
Sigma Theta Tau; Delta Beta Chapter/Alpha Theta Chapter (dual member)
Southern Nursing Research Society
She is actively involved in the College of Nursing Faculty Organization having served on various committees including the Academic Affairs, External Affairs and Resources and Faculty Practice committees.
Clinical practice area/expertise
Dr. Thomas’ clinical expertise is in adult medical-surgical and critical care nursing. She is nationally certified in two advanced practice nursing clinical specialties via the American Nurses Credentialing Center; as an Acute Care Nurse Practitioner and as an Adult Nurse Practitioner.
Education
Dr. Thomas earned her BSN in Nursing at the University of West Florida. She earned her MS in Adult Health Nursing with a minor in Nursing Education, Post Master’s Nurse Practitioner Certificate, and her PhD in Nursing with a minor in Gerontology at the University of South Florida. She also earned a Professional Certificate in Gerontology at the University of Florida.
Selected Publications
- Thomas, L. & Reischman, R. [in review]. Diagnostic reasoning related to chest tube insertion: Teaching ACNP students using hybrid simulation strategies.
- Rodriguez, C., Rowe, M., Koeppel, B., & Thomas, L. [in review]. Development of a communication intervention for hospitalized suddenly speechless patients.
- Rodriguez, C., Rowe, M., Koeppel, B., & Thomas, L. [in review]. Sudden speechlessness: representing the needs of hospitalized patients.
- Thomas, L. & Rodriguez, C. (2011). Prevalence of sudden speechlessness in critical care units. Clinical Nursing Research, 20(4), 439-447.
- Thomas, L. (2009). Effective Dyspnea Management Strategies Identified by Elders with End-Stage COPD. Applied Nursing Research, 22 (2), 79-85.
- Thomas, L. (2003). Stressors Perceived by Patients on Mechanical Ventilation. AACN Clinical Issues, 14 (1), 73-81.