Thomas F. Boat, MD
- Director, CFWELL, Division of Pulmonary Medicine
- Professor, UC Department of Pediatrics
- thomas.boat@cchmc.org
- Board Certified
About
Biography
I work as a children’s lung doctor at Cincinnati Children’s. I specialize in cystic fibrosis (CF) and the psychosocial dimensions of family life when a child has a complex chronic condition.
My experience as a clinical associate of the National Institutes of Health in the late 1960s introduced me to cystic fibrosis research and care. As the director of the CF WELL program, I help identify family needs and provide responses to those needs in the chronic care model.
This work starts at the time of diagnosis and focuses on lifestyle factors such as healthy sleep, exercise and nutrition, as well as recognizing and reducing stress.
Parents and other home caregivers need to be well and healthy. Family wellness is key to the optimal care of the child with a chronic disease. As physicians, we are educators and supporters of the caregiving parents and other family members in the home.
In 2018, I received the John Howland Award, the highest honor bestowed on an academic pediatrician by the American Pediatric Society. The award recognizes leaders in academic pediatrics whose work advances the lives of children and the profession of pediatrics through clinical care, scientific discovery, mentorship and service.
When not at work, I enjoy being outside. I am an active birder and a farmer at heart who likes to grow vegetables.
MD: University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, 1966.
Residency: Pediatrics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, 1968.
Certification: Pediatrics, 1972.
Services and Specialties
Interests
Pediatric respiratory diseases; cystic fibrosis.
Research Areas
Publications
Growth, Body Composition, and Strength of Children With Cystic Fibrosis Treated With Elexacaftor/Tezacaftor/Ivacaftor (ETI). Pediatric Pulmonology. 2025; 60:e27463.
Supporting the Well-Being of Children and Youth With Special Health Care Needs: NASEM Proceedings. Pediatrics. 2024; 154:e2024067032.
Promoting Child Health by Protecting the Patient-Clinician Relationship From Politics. JAMA pediatrics. 2024; 178:969-971.
161 Is a multidisciplinary, family-focused intervention to improve BMI, body composition, and related functions for preadolescents treated with elexacaftor/tezacaftor/ivacaftor feasible?. Journal of Cystic Fibrosis. 2024; 23:s90.
Body composition in children with cystic fibrosis treated with CFTR modulators versus modulator naïve individuals. Pediatric Pulmonology. 2024; 59:805-808.
Education-related needs for children with cystic fibrosis: Perspectives of US pediatric care teams. Pediatric Pulmonology. 2024; 59:95-100.
Additional considerations for CF nutritional guidelines. Journal of Cystic Fibrosis. 2023; 22:1133-1134.
123 Rates of change in growth, body composition, muscle strength, and FEV1 during elexacaftor-tezacaftor-ivacaftor therapy for 6- to 11-yearold children. Journal of Cystic Fibrosis. 2023; 22:s64-s65.
478 High school completion rates for youth with cystic fibrosis. Journal of Cystic Fibrosis. 2023; 22:s251.
Body composition and functional correlates of CF youth experiencing pulmonary exacerbation and recovery. Pediatric Pulmonology. 2023; 58:457-464.
From the Blog
National Academies Address Well-Being of Youth with Special Health Care Needs
Thomas F. Boat, MD, Carole Lannon, MD, MPH11/27/2024
Addressing the Emotional Toll of Pediatric Chronic Conditions
Thomas F. Boat, MD, Carole Lannon, MD, MPH1/9/2020
Boat Honored with Howland Award from American Pediatric Society
Thomas F. Boat, MD7/1/2019
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