Bob Thomas, MBA
Assistant Professor of Management
Director, Undergraduate Healthcare Administration Program, College of Business
Bob Thomas was hired as an assistant professor of business and as director of the undergraduate healthcare administration program in the College of Business in 2025. He arrived with more than 30 years of experience in executive, operational and strategic organizational roles in the healthcare field.
His career has been predominantly in post-acute care, skilled nursing and rehab, and senior healthcare work environments. From 1999 to 2024, he worked for Avamere Health Services, a privately held post-acute healthcare company, as a chief administrative officer (2021-24), chief operations officer (2018-21), president of its Signature Healthcare at Home company (2010-18), and president of Infinity Rehab (1999 to 2010).
In addition, for more than 20 years he taught as an adjunct professor in Pacific University’s physical therapy program, with a focus on health policy, reimbursement and management. Bob taught professional continuing education for 18 years and has written and been published in both academic and professional journals.
He holds an MBA from Eastern University in St. Davids, Pennsylvania, a master’s degree in physical therapy from Pacific University, and a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Eastern University.
Bob lives in Sherwood with his wife Kristin, and has two adult children, Sean and Nick. He attends Sunset Church in Portland and enjoys leading worship, yard work, and watching his hometown Philadelphia sports teams.
Academic Background
- MBA, Eastern University
- MS, Pacific University
- BS, Eastern College
Research Interests
- Post-acute care
- Skilled nursing and rehab
- Senior healthcare