Tom D. Thacher, M.D.

While working as a medical missionary in Africa for nearly 20 years, Dr. Thacher developed a research interest in nutritional rickets, a disease causing painful bone deformities in children. His research demonstrated that rickets in African children was primarily due to calcium deficiency rather than vitamin D deficiency and that calcium treatment could effectively reverse the disease symptoms. His contributions have furthered our understanding of the interaction of vitamin D and calcium in children.

After joining the staff of Family Medicine at the Mayo Clinic in 2007, Dr. Thacher continues to be involved in international health and research related to vitamin D, calcium, and rickets. He is a member of the American Society of Bone and Mineral Research, the American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, and the American Academy of Family Physicians.