Rachel Cafarchio Thomas has built a career in health care leadership defined by innovation, advocacy and a deep commitment to patient-centered care. As senior director of the Transplant Institute at Memorial Regional Hospital in Hollywood, Florida, she has applied her expertise in kidney transplantation to advance clinical excellence and strengthen multidisciplinary teamwork. She is particularly passionate about recognizing the contributions of frontline workers in health care, especially front desk staff, and often nominates individuals for a memorial excellence award as part of her dedication to fostering a culture of respect and appreciation.
Ms. Thomas’ academic foundation includes an executive Master of Business Administration from the University of New Orleans and a Bachelor of Science in nursing from Loyola University New Orleans. She earned her registered nurse credential through Crouse Hospital School of Nursing in Syracuse, New York. She also holds professional designations as a certified nephrology nurse and a nurse executive, advanced board-certified. This combination of clinical and business expertise has been instrumental in guiding her leadership approach and in achieving measurable improvements in patient care.
Before joining Memorial Regional Hospital, Ms. Thomas worked as director of dialysis services at Hackensack Meridian Health in Montclair, New Jersey, overseeing clinical operations and implemented quality improvement initiatives that elevated patient outcomes and streamlined processes. She also served as administrative director of transplant services at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick, New Jersey, managing comprehensive transplant programs and collaborating closely with clinical teams to optimize patient care pathways.
Ms. Thomas’ leadership journey also includes serving as executive director at Sunrise Senior Living, where she ensured operational efficiency, compliance with regulatory standards and delivery of resident-focused care. As vice president of the Transplant Institute at Medstar Georgetown University Hospital in Washington, District of Columbia, she has contributed to program expansion and innovation in organ transplantation services.
Earlier in her career, Ms. Thomas held the position of service line and program administrator for solid organ transplant at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, Illinois, guiding program growth and integration of best practices across disciplines. She also worked as a transplant program manager at Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center in Hershey, Pennsylvania, facilitating patient access to advanced transplant therapies and coordinating complex care.
Ms. Thomas’ tenure as national director of home dialysis services for DaVita Inc. in Berwyn, Pennsylvania, further established her as a leader in renal care. There, she advanced home-based renal therapies and patient education initiatives, making treatment more accessible for patients nationwide.
Ms. Thomas has been an active participant in industry organizations, serving on the board of directors for the Washington Regional Transplant Community and the Kidney Information Consortium. She has also contributed as a member of the Minority Affairs Committee for the United Network for Organ Sharing and participated in the Organ Donation and Transplantation Breakthrough Collaborative.
Building on her extensive leadership experience, Ms. Thomas has shared her expertise at national forums, presenting on topics such as servant leadership, transplant evaluation processes, continuity of care in transplant centers and challenges in launching peritoneal dialysis programs.
Born in Syracuse, Ms. Thomas is the mother of a daughter and a son. Outside her professional life, she enjoys racquetball, ping pong, weightlifting, coaching, swimming, calligraphy and exploring new recipes, reflecting the same energy and dedication she brings to her career.