Episode 518: LIVE from ILADS: Dr. James Thatcher – From Childhood Tick Encounters to Leading Wisconsin’s Tick Center

James_Thatcher

Key Takeaways:

  • Dr. Thatcher shares his personal experiences with ticks as a child on Long Island, including his father burning ticks off his head with a match.
  • He discusses his own health struggles with Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses, which sparked his passion for Lyme-literate medicine.
  • Dr. Thatcher describes his medical training and the pivotal moment when he discovered the prevalence of Borrelia in New Jersey ticks, shaping his career path.
  • He talks about his transition to Wisconsin to become the medical director of the Aspirus Tick-Borne Disease Center and the unique tick-borne disease challenges in the North Woods region.
  • Dr. Thatcher emphasizes the importance of local awareness, education, and following ILADS guidelines for effective treatment.

Podcast Highlights:

  • Childhood experiences with ticks and tick-borne illnesses
  • Personal health journey and discovery of Lyme-literate medicine
  • Insights from medical training and complex patient cases
  • Transition to Wisconsin and leadership at the Tick-Borne Disease Center
  • Challenges and opportunities in the North Woods region
  • Commitment to community education and ILADS guidelines

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