In 1991 he conceived the idea of the Eden Alternative™, a new approach to the care of frail elders. Facilities that adopt the Eden Alternative™ bring decision-making in line with the needs of the Elders, rather than bureaucratic priorities. Once this cultural change has been accomplished they will be able to successfully introduce large numbers of companion animals, indoor plants, gardens and children.

Dr. Thomas is a native of Upstate New York and attended the State University College at Cortland where he earned a B.S. in Biology, summa cum laude in 1982. During college, he ran successfully for the presidency of the college Student Association. Before graduating from Harvard Medical School in 1986, Bill served as one of the founding editors of "Murmurs", a quarterly journal of opinion.

A three-year residency in Family Medicine at the University of Rochester followed medical school and, in his third year of training, Bill was selected by the Mead Johnson Foundation as one of the top Family Medicine residents in the country. Now Board Certified in Family Medicine and Geriatrics, he has settled into a rural corner of Chenango County with his wife and partner, Judy Meyers-Thomas as well as their five children, Zachary, Virgil, Haleigh Jane, Hannah, and Caleb. Dr. Thomas enjoys a professional life that includes patient care, medical administration, teaching medical students from Upstate Medical Center, research and writing, as well as, traveling extensively spreading The Eden Alternative™ philosophy. Dr. Thomas has been involved with developing software and information technology solutions that improve the quality of care delivered by health care organizations. Dr. Thomas has received recognition and numerous awards for his work. Among them, he was a recipient of the 1998 America’s Awards for “Unsung Heroes”, The Giraffe Project’s “Sticking Your Neck Out Award”, and a “Distinguished Service in Aging Award” from the American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging.

In the summer of 1994, Dr. Thomas’ first book, The Eden Alternative: Nature, Hope and Nursing Homes, was published by the University of Missouri. A revised/expanded edition of The Eden Alternative: Nature, Hope and Nursing Homes was published by VanderWyk & Burnham in the Fall of 1996 and titled Life Worth Living. Life Worth Living has received several awards, including an “Honorable Mention Award” from the American Medical Writers Association as well as being one of the 1996 selections for “Book of the Year” by the American Journal of Nursing. Dr. Thomas’ latest book, Learning from Hannah was released for publication by VanderWyk & Burnham in May 1999 followed by it’s companion, The Eden Alternative Handbook, in October 1999. Dr. Thomas adapted Learning from Hannah into a one-man theatrical performance, which he performed on 15 occasions during his 31-day, 27-city “Eden Across America Tour” in July, 1999. Dr. Thomas diligently continues to work for change in institutional care worldwide.

Alzheimer's Disease, Caregiving, Health,