She received her PhD in Aging Studies from the University of South Florida and completed an AHRQ-funded Postdoctoral Research Fellowship at the Brown University Center for Gerontology and Healthcare Research. Dr. Thomas' research focuses on identifying ways to improve the quality of life of older adults needing long-term services and supports through applied health services research. Funded by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, the National Institute on Aging, and multiple foundations, she has led research projects related to the quality of care delivered in long-term care facilities and the role of home- and community-based services in preventing or postponing nursing home placement.