Matthew Thomas
Matthew Thomas
Research Assistant Professor
Jacobs School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences
Specialty/Research Focus
Community Health Research; Epidemiology; Medical Education Research; Public Health; Real-world approaches; Translational Research
Professional Summary:
Matthew Thomas, PhD is an epidemiologist and health services researcher whose work focuses on how policies, service systems, organizational structures, and enabling resources influence healthcare access, service engagement, wellbeing, and health outcomes among populations facing social and structural barriers. His research uses epidemiologic, health services research, program evaluation, and community-engaged approaches to examine homelessness, housing instability, behavioral health, healthcare access, and health-related social needs. His work seeks to generate evidence that informs practice, policy, and system improvement.
Education and Training:
- BA, Biology, Wesleyan University
- Fellowship, CDC/CSTE Applied Epidemiology Fellowship, Vermont Department of Health
- MPH, Epidemiology, University of Washington
- MS, Cell Biology, New York University
- PhD, Epidemiology, University of Washington
Employment:
- Epidemiologist, Vermont Department of Health, Burlington
- Public Health Analyst III, Vermont Department of Health
- Research Assistant Professor, Department of Family Medicine, Primary Care Research Institute
- Survey Research Manager, ICF
Journal Articles:
- Kahn, L. S., Brimmer, M. J., Thomas, M., Watson, W. J., Daun-Barnett, S., Berdine, D., & Kruger, J. S. (2025) Drug Court Smiles: Addressing dental care equity for justice-involved people. Health Promotion Practice. (Jan)
- Thomas, M., Vest, B. M., Arena, S., Painter, O. B., Chambers, M. K., Kirk, H., Clemency, B. M., & Lynch, J. J. (2025) Evaluating Community-Based Harm Reduction Vending Machine Utilization in New York State. Journal of Addiction Medicine (Jan)
- Vest, B. M., Chambers, M. K., Thomas, M., Arena, S., Dickinson, M., Lynch, J. J., & Clemency, B. M. (2025) Implementing harm reduction vending machines to reduce opioid overdose risk: Description of a centralized implementation model, pros, cons, and lessons learned. Journal of Public Health Management and Practice. (Jan)
- Chambers, M.K., Thomas, M., Brimmer, M.J., Butcher, J., & Griswold, K. (2023) Whole Person Care: Outcomes From a 5-Year Care Model Integrating Primary Care Into a Behavioral Health Clinic. Families, Systems, & Health (Mar)
- Berdine DE, Thomas MC, Kahn LS, Vest BM. (2022) Challenges and Lessons Learned in the Regional Implementation of MISSION-CJ in Drug Treatment Courts. Psychiatric services (Washington, D.C.) (Aug), 73(8): 950-953.
- Brady, L. A., Wozniak, M. L., Brimmer, M. J., Terranova, E., Moore, C., Kahn, L., Vest, B. M., & Thomas, M. (2022) Coping strategies and workplace supports for peers with substance use disorders. Substance Use & Misuse (Jan), 57(12): 1772-1778.
- Kahn, L. S., Thomas, M., Borro, T., Berdine, D. E., & Vest, B. M. (2022) ncorporating MISSION-CJ for drug court participants with co-occurring substance use and mental health disorders. Journal of Offender Rehabilitation (Jan)
- Thomas, M., Brady, L., Wozniak, M., Terranova, E., Moore, C., & Kahn, L. (2021) Training to improve responder attitudes and knowledge of opioid overdose. Journal of Paramedic Practice (Jan), 13(8): 1-18.
Service Activities:
- Homeless Alliance of Western New York (HAWNY) - partnership supporting homelessness services and system planning.; Research and evaluation
- Erie County Department of Health - activities addressing substance use, overdose prevention, and opioid settlement planning.; Research and evaluation
- Erie County Department of Mental Health - activities addressing substance use, overdose prevention, and opioid settlement planning.; Research and evaluation
- UB HEALS - activities focused on access to care and homelessness.; Research and evaluation