RUHS: Dr. Mark Thomas Set to Be Honored

After more than three decades of serving Riverside County residents, Thomas is retiring 

After treating thousands of patients and teaching numerous medical residents over the course of 32 years, Riverside University Health System – Medical Center’s Vice Chair of the Emergency Department (ED) will retire. An honor walk is planned where staff will celebrate his hard work and dedication.  

The honor walk will take place at 1:30 p.m. Friday, April 26, at the Emergency Department. More information on the walk is expected later this week.  

Dr. Mark Thomas joined Riverside University Health – System Medical Center in 1992 as a staff physician when it was known as Riverside County General Hospital before becoming the Vice Chair of the Department in 1996.

Thomas also ran the ED opt-out screening program for Syphilis, HIV and Hepatitis C; a Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) program for patients with opioid addictions; and was one of the core faculty to train residents at the hospital.  

Thomas said that one of the things that kept him at the Medical Center for decades was that it was a teaching hospital.  

“It’s not like going to work. We’re very much like a family – We’re very, very close,” Dr. Thomas said, noting he’s grateful for the relationships he has been able to cultivate with his ED colleagues.   

Thomas treated the last ever emergency patient at the old Riverside General Hospital facility on the day it closed its doors before moving to the current medical center on the same day and treating patients there.  

Thomas said he looks forward to vacationing in his retirement and will visit his daughter and son-in-law in Oregon. 

He will still keep an eye on the Medical Center for a key reason: His son is an anesthesia resident.  

“I’ve been able to watch him grow through his career,” Thomas said.  

Thomas was able to watch his son rotate into his department during his training. Before that his son was a scribe here.  

For questions on the upcoming honor walk, contact the Marketing Department at marketing@RUHealth.org.