Dr. Wallace Thomas, MD

Dr. Wallace Thomas, MD is a Pulmonology specialist dedicated to empowering patients with proactive, comprehensive Pulmonary care at his clinic in Jacksonville, FL. He is registered with The Florida Board of Medicine and practices under the Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice), and is committed to helping individuals of all ages achieve optimal respiratory health. Your pulmonologist is your primary partner in creating a long-term health plan, coordinating crucial screenings like lung cancer detection, and proactively managing chronic respiratory conditions to ensure your lungs and overall wellness thrive for years to come. Patients seeking proactive respiratory health management and lung cancer prevention should call (904) 244-7024 to confirm Dr. Thomas's availability for new patients.

Dr. Wallace Thomas, MD is a pulmonologist in Jacksonville, FL, affiliated with HCA Florida Lawnwood Hospital and St. Mary's Hospital Amsterdam. He is accepting telehealth appointments and is deeply committed to collaborative, evidence-based medicine, fostering a supportive environment where patients feel empowered to take an active role in their long-term health. Dr. Thomas is Board Certified in Internal Medicine by the American Board of Internal Medicine, and Board Certified in Internal Medicine by the National Board of Physicians and Surgeons, and Board Certified in Pulmonary Disease by the American Board of Internal Medicine, and Board Certified in Pulmonary Disease by the National Board of Physicians and Surgeons. He provides consultations primarily in English.

A key part of the WePrevent mission is building your personalized prevention roadmap. Dr. Wallace Thomas is a vital partner in this journey, focusing on proactive strategies to protect and enhance your long-term health.

By working together, you and Dr. Wallace Thomas can create a clear, actionable plan to address your unique risk factors and health goals.

A proactive approach to health involves understanding and managing potential risks. Dr. Wallace Thomas provides expert care for a range of conditions, focusing on early detection and effective management to support your long-term wellness. Common areas of focus include:

• Pneumoconiosis and Pneumonopathy: Managing pneumoconiosis and pneumonopathy involves minimizing exposure to harmful substances and following medical advice to slow disease progression and reduce respiratory complications.
• Pleural Effusion: A pleural effusion is a buildup of fluid around your lungs, and early detection through regular checkups can help prevent serious complications.
• COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease): Protecting your lungs from damage, particularly through avoiding smoking and managing respiratory infections, is key to preventing or delaying the onset of COPD.
• Respiratory Failure: Preventing respiratory failure starts with proactive health choices, such as regular check-ups to detect and manage underlying respiratory issues before they worsen.
• Sinusitis: Chronic sinusitis can negatively impact your lung health over time, highlighting the importance of early intervention and management to prevent long-term respiratory problems.
• Acute Sinusitis: Recognizing the symptoms of acute sinusitis early and seeking treatment can reduce your risk of developing more severe or chronic sinus problems, emphasizing proactive health management.
• Interstitial Lung Disease: Managing interstitial lung disease effectively involves working closely with your doctor to slow its progression and minimize the risk of severe complications, significantly improving your long-term respiratory health.
• Pulmonary Hypertension: Pulmonary hypertension can severely impact your breathing and overall health; therefore, proactive monitoring and treatment are essential for preventing life-threatening outcomes.
• Chronic Sinusitis: Chronic sinusitis, if left untreated, can lead to more serious respiratory problems, highlighting the importance of early diagnosis and management for overall preventive health.
• Wheezing: Experiencing wheezing? Don't ignore it – early detection and management of conditions like asthma or COPD can significantly reduce future health problems.
• Influenza (Flu): Early detection and treatment of influenza can prevent serious complications like bronchitis and pneumonia, which may have long-term consequences for your lungs.
• Shortness of Breath: If you're short of breath, it's important to seek medical attention to determine the cause and start treatment to prevent further lung damage or disease progression.

This list highlights some common health concerns and is for informational purposes only. The best way to understand your personal health and create a prevention plan is to schedule a consultation. Accurate diagnosis and personalized treatment plans are developed based on individual patient evaluations.

Taking proactive steps is central to long-term health. Dr. Wallace Thomas offers a range of key preventive screenings and services designed to provide crucial insights into your health and support your well-being:

• Arterial Blood Gas Test (ABG): An arterial blood gas test helps your doctor check how well your lungs are bringing oxygen into your blood and removing carbon dioxide, allowing for early detection of breathing problems.
• Smoking Cessation Counseling: Invest in your future by getting expert help to quit smoking—a crucial step in preventing lung cancer and other respiratory illnesses.
• Thoracentesis: Taking a proactive step in managing your lung health, a thoracentesis involves removing fluid from your lungs for analysis, potentially preventing complications and improving breathing.
• Endoscopic Biopsy Bronchus Robotic Assist: To detect lung cancer early, a tiny camera and robotic tools can take samples of suspicious areas in your lungs during a bronchoscopy.
• Flu Shot: Protecting your lungs starts with prevention: the flu shot helps avoid complications that could negatively impact your breathing.
• Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic (VATS) Thymectomy: A VATS thymectomy is a minimally invasive surgery to remove the thymus gland, often helping to diagnose and treat certain types of lung cancer or myasthenia gravis, a condition affecting breathing muscles.
• Thoracic Imaging: Thoracic imaging is a vital tool in lung cancer screening and helps catch the disease at its earliest, most treatable stages, improving your chances of successful treatment.

Service availability can change, and not all services listed may be appropriate for every patient. For a comprehensive understanding of all available services and to create your personalized screening plan, please schedule a consultation.

All medical services are provided in accordance with the standard scope of practice for Pulmonology in Florida.

Dr. Wallace Thomas is dedicated to partnering with Caregivers to achieve their unique health objectives. The following examples illustrate how a proactive approach can make a tangible difference in a Patient's life:

• By proactively managing exposure to dust and following a personalized plan, a patient significantly reduced their risk of developing respiratory complications, achieving a greater sense of well-being and peace of mind.
• By attending regular checkups and following the pulmonologist's guidance, a patient successfully managed their risk of pleural effusion, maintaining a healthy lifestyle and peace of mind.

These scenarios are illustrative examples of positive health outcomes. Individual results may vary and depend on many factors specific to each patient. He will work with you to define and achieve your personal health goals.

Here are answers to some common questions about proactive Pulmonary care with Dr. Wallace Thomas:

What is a Pulmonologist?

A pulmonologist is a medical specialist who diagnoses and treats diseases of the respiratory system, including the lungs, airways, and muscles of breathing. They are experts in conditions like asthma, COPD, lung cancer, and sleep apnea.

I have a long history of smoking. Should I be screened for lung cancer?

Lung cancer screening with a low-dose CT scan is recommended for certain high-risk individuals, including those with a long smoking history, to help detect the disease early when it's most treatable. Please schedule a consultation with Dr. Wallace Thomas to discuss your specific eligibility.

What is a pleural effusion?

A pleural effusion is an abnormal buildup of fluid between the lungs and chest wall. Dr. Wallace Thomas can perform a thoracentesis to drain and test the fluid, helping diagnose the cause, which can range from heart failure to infection.

What is sarcoidosis?

Sarcoidosis is an inflammatory disease where tiny clumps of inflammatory cells form in various parts of the body, often the lungs. While many cases are mild, expert management by a specialist like Dr. Wallace Thomas is crucial to monitor and prevent potential organ damage.

What is a pulmonary function test (PFT)?

A pulmonary function test (PFT) is a series of breathing tests that measure lung function, similar to an EKG for your lungs. Dr. Wallace Thomas uses PFTs to help diagnose conditions like asthma and COPD, assess their severity, and monitor how well treatments are working.

What is pulmonary rehabilitation?

Pulmonary rehabilitation is a medically supervised program of exercise and education designed to help you breathe better, increase your strength and stamina, and improve your overall quality of life if you have chronic lung disease.

What is pulmonary hypertension?

Pulmonary hypertension is high blood pressure specifically in the arteries of the lungs and the right side of the heart. It differs from regular high blood pressure, which affects the arteries throughout the body. It's a complex condition needing specialized diagnosis and treatment by a pulmonologist or cardiologist.

My CT scan showed a 'lung nodule.' Does this mean I have cancer?

While a lung nodule on a CT scan can be concerning, the vast majority are benign, often old scars from past infections. Dr. Wallace Thomas is an expert in evaluating nodules, considering size, appearance, and your risk factors to determine the best course of action, which may simply be careful monitoring.

655 W 8th St
Jacksonville FL 32209
Phone: (904) 244-7024

Dr. Wallace Thomas, MD is regulated by the Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice) in Florida and is licensed by The Florida Board of Medicine.

National Provider Identifier (NPI): 1831490432

Registration can typically be verified through The Florida Board of Medicine website or by direct inquiry.

The information on this profile, provided by weprevent.org, is for general informational purposes and to help you connect with preventive health partners. It does not constitute direct medical advice from the physician named. Pulmonology like Dr. Wallace Thomas are skilled in helping patients create proactive health plans. For urgent or life-threatening emergencies, please call 911 or visit the nearest emergency department. It is always recommended to maintain open communication with your pulmonology about all aspects of your health and your personalized prevention plan.