Health Care 2023: RONY THOMAS

During its 40 years, not-for-profit LifeNet Health has assisted with more than 8 million organ, tissue and cell transplants. It employs more than 1,400 people globally, including 991 in Virginia.

Thomas has led LifeNet since 2004. He earned an executive MBA from Case Western Reserve University and a master’s degree in engineering and bioengineering from the University of Akron. He serves on the boards of Virginia Commonwealth University’s College of Engineering Foundation, the Hampton Roads Community Foundation and the Chrysler Museum of Art.

Known as an organ procurement organization (OPO), LifeNet connects patients with newly available organs — often kidneys, which are needed by about 80% of people on transplant lists in the commonwealth. The organization facilitated donations from a record 247 people in 2022, providing 562 patients with new organs (multiples, in some cases) throughout Virginia and part of West Virginia.

In May, LifeNet acquired the wound-care business of North Carolina medical device company Bioventus for $85 million. The acquisition will expand treatments of chronic wounds such as diabetic foot ulcers that impact 8 million Americans. LifeNet opened a new office in Richmond to expand its organ procurement division this year.