A new physician has joined AdventHealth Daytona Beach, bringing experience from various locations including Havana, Hershey, Haiti, and New York. Dr. Wallace Thomas, a board-certified pulmonologist and fellowship-trained interventional pulmonologist who also serves as a U.S. Army Reserve Major, is now part of the AdventHealth Medical Group team in Volusia County.
Dr. Thomas specializes in treating complex lung conditions such as asthma, COPD, and lung cancer. He uses advanced methods that are less invasive than traditional surgery to address diseases of the lungs and airways. These procedures include placing stents to keep airways open, using robotic bronchoscopy for locating and biopsying small nodules deep within the lungs, and employing techniques that assist patients with severe COPD in breathing more easily. These approaches often result in quicker diagnoses and shorter recovery times for patients.
Originally from Haiti, Dr. Thomas has worked in academic centers, VA hospitals, and community facilities across the United States. He was also on the front lines during the COVID-19 pandemic caring for critically ill patients in intensive care units. Fluent in English, Spanish, French, and Creole, he continues his service as a major in the U.S. Army Reserve Medical Corps.
“Dr. Thomas is the kind of physician every community hopes for,” said Dr. David Sinclair, CEO of AdventHealth Daytona Beach. “He brings skill, compassion, and a willingness to go the extra mile for his patients. Having him here means more of our neighbors can get the care they need without leaving Volusia County. His leadership in pulmonology and dedication to underserved communities make him an invaluable part of our vision for whole-person health.”
Volusia County faces higher rates of respiratory disease compared to state averages. In response to this need, AdventHealth East Florida Division launched a comprehensive lung program featuring low-dose CT screenings, AI-driven lung nodule tracking, and advanced robotic procedures aimed at detecting cancer earlier and improving patient outcomes locally.
“Caring for people isn’t just my profession, it’s my purpose,” Dr. Thomas said. “When someone is fighting for breath, it affects every part of their life. Here in Volusia County, where lung disease and lung cancer take such a heavy toll, my goal is to use every tool and every bit of training I have to help patients find relief and hope close to home.”
Dr. Thomas received his medical degree from the Latin American School of Medicine in Havana and completed his residency at St. John’s Episcopal Hospital in New York City. He holds a master’s degree from Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai with fellowship training that includes pulmonary/critical care medicine as well as interventional pulmonology.
AdventHealth Medical Group consists of nearly 450 physicians serving Flagler, Lake, Sumter, and Volusia counties with over one million patient visits annually.
Located further south in Orlando is AdventHealth Orlando—a hospital founded in 1908 that features pediatric services as well as being a training facility under President Terry Shaw (https://www.adventhealth.com/hospital/adventhealth-orlando).
Dr. Thomas will see patients at 305 Memorial Parkway Suite 307 in Daytona Beach.
