Edwin Thomas

By: Noelle Beans

Edwin Thomas

Edwin Thomas graduated from Indiana Wesleyan University in December 2008 with a Master of Business Administration with a specialization in Health Care Management. Thomas once read that John Maxwell served on the Board of Directors of the university. He thought to himself, “If John Maxwell was on the board, it has to be a great university!”

While at IWU, Thomas enjoyed the professors. He also enjoyed the opportunity to associate with other professionals pursuing an MBA as well. His masters education included focus on leadership, which led to a lot of introspection about how to lead people. Thomas said, “I believe that focus allowed me to examine the spiritual aspects of leading and influencing people.”

Currently, Thomas works for the American Legion of the United States and Bradthom-Diaz Corporation. With the American Legion, he is an assistant director of health policy. His job entails conducting on-site evaluations of hospitals managed by the Department of Veterans Affairs/Veterans Health Administration. Throughout the year, he travels around the country to at least eight or nine VA/VHA hospitals in an effort to improve the quality and delivery of health services to the nation’s veterans.

His work at Bradthom-Diaz Corporation is more of an entrepreneurial pursuit. Bradthom-Diaz Corporation develops account management training modules for pharmaceutical and managed care organizations. The company also offers health planning and development services to various companies. For instance, BDC worked with a client in the Dominican Republic to develop that country’s first and only air ambulance service.

Through Thomas’ academic and spiritual journey at IWU, he has gained different career positions and a mindset to help him succeed within these positions. Thomas said, “With my MBA credential and educational background, the world of business opened up and presented great opportunities.” One of these opportunities was as a consultant and senior project manager for Otsuka Pharmaceutical USA assisting with managing a $70 million portfolio of strategic projects for two of the company’s divisions. In regard to Thomas’ mindset, he has adopted a spiritual posture of “Let Go. Let God.” This keeps him focused and determined in the world of health care, and business in general, that can be very frustrating and stressful. Thomas shared that when he cannot meet the challenge of a situation, he puts it all in God’s hands. Through this act of surrender he has never been abandoned or led astray.

Before Thomas’ IWU education and career accomplishments, he could not tie his shoes until the 9th grade. He never learned, and his sister would tie his shoes for him, even in public. Other fun facts about Thomas include his love for singing romantic ballads in Spanish (Luis Miguel specifically), entertaining guests in his home and watching movies.

Lastly, Thomas sends encouragement to students regarding their ideas: “Believe in yourself even when others abandon you or your ideas. ONE positive idea can change your life.” To the university, Thomas adds, “Keep up the great work producing world changing leaders at IWU! The world needs more leaders ready to change the world!”

 

 

Written by Noelle Beans, a writer for the Alumni Center. Noelle is a freshman Nursing and Honors Humanities double major at Indiana Wesleyan University in the John Wesley Honors College.