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After more than 44 years as a small-town physician, Dr. Thomas Thomas has learned a thing or two: Take good care of your patients and hire good people to run your office.

Thomas’ philosophy must be working. His patients recently rated Thomas among the top physicians in the Kansas City area, according to Consumers’ Checkbook Center for the Study of Services.

“You were among the physicians who rated statistically significantly higher than the average of the 710 physicians in the Greater Kansas City area included in the survey,” wrote Robert M. Krughoff, president of the consumer organization, in a recent letter informing Thomas of the results.

In the letter, Krughoff said the survey was designed to help patients choose doctors, help them interact with their doctors and guide doctors on how to improve interaction with patients.

The survey questions were developed by the U.S. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality and endorsed by the National Quality Forum on how well physicians communicate with patients and staff, and how accessible and courteous they are.

Thomas’s solo practice was also recognized this year by the U.S. Commerce Association with the 2009 Best of Liberty Award in the medical doctors category.

According to a press release, USCA focuses on quality, not quantity, in determining its recipients.

Sharon Cox, a registered nurse and Thomas’ practice administrator, said she had worked for her boss for nearly 25 years, and she considered him special and was not surprised he got a 98 percent approval rating from patients.

“Compassion. Patient. Generous. Those are the three words that come to mind immediately,” Cox said. “When a doctor can say he has had the same employee for 24 years plus, it really says a lot for the employer. When he can say he has doctored the same patients for 40 years plus and their families, it says a lot for the doctor. Need I say more?”

Although he stopped delivering babies years ago — insurance got too high — Thomas said he is now taking care of their families.

“I probably delivered more than 1,000 babies. One of my babies is Dr. Stephanie Davis,” he said. “She’s a wonderful emergency room doctor at Liberty Hospital.”

When he’s not making his rounds at Liberty Hospital or patting a patient’s hand in comfort, Thomas’ office has also started training medical assistants.

Tiffany Rice, who just completed her training and is starting a new job, said she had learned a lot during the last few weeks under Thomas’ tutelage.

“I really like interacting with the patients,” she said.

Rice, who had been working at a fast-food restaurant, said she planned to eventually become a registered nurse.

While he has no immediately plans to retire, Thomas, 73, said medicine had changed a lot since he first opened an office in Richmond. He moved his practice to Liberty 41 years ago.

“My only concession to getting older is that I can’t miss two nights of sleep like I did when I was 43,” Thomas said.

Although he concedes that technology has been widely embraced by the medical establishment, he still prefers the old-fashioned ways of practicing medicine.

“I’ll probably use paper charts for the rest of my career. But I do know how to use my computer to access hospital records,” he said.

So does Thomas, who is also a retired lieutenant colonel with the Air Force National Guard, have any advice for those thinking about becoming a family-practice doctor?

“It’s hard work. There are long hours. Don’t do it if you don’t love it,” Thomas said. “I love this job, and I enjoy coming to work every day.”

Thomas said he doesn’t worry about the health care debate raging in Washington, D.C.

“The country’s broke. I don’t think any thing meaningful will get enacted,” he said. “Whatever happens, I’ll adjust the best I can.”

The important thing, Thomas said is to focus on his patients and his family and treat his employees fairly. He said he still accepts new patients, including Medicare patients.

“I keep things simple,” he said. “I have the same wife and the same house. I own everything I have. It gives me a comfortable feeling knowing that I control my environment.”

CHECK IT OUT

The results of the survey are available to the public at www.checkbook.org/patientcentral.

Liberty Editor Angie Anaya Borgedalen can be reached at 781-4941 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

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