ST. LOUIS - Mercy Research Board of Directors has approved two voting board members to replace a resigned external board member and retiree Jacque Richmond, JD. Additionally, Mercy Research amended its bylaws to add two voting board members in recognition of growth within Mercy and to align with the geographic diversity of the Mercy footprint.
Mercy Research is proud to announce the additions of Jon Lakamp, PharmD; Aswanth Reddy, MD; and Anish Thomas, MD, FACC, FSCAI, as voting members of the Mercy Research board of directors. These three new members will bring fresh perspectives as well as diverse experience and contribute to advancing strategic decision-making.
Lakamp holds a bachelor's and doctor of pharmacy degree from the University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy in St. Louis and is board certified in pharmacotherapy. Currently serving as Mercy's chief pharmacy officer and president of Mercy Pharmacy, Lakamp has a distinguished career marked by leadership in pharmacy practice.
Lakamp has contributed extensively to professional committees, received numerous awards and honors, and has an impressive portfolio of research studies and publications. Additionally, he has held faculty positions, including clinical assistant professor of pharmacy practice, adjunct instructor in pharmacy practice and clinical instructor in pharmacy, actively engaging in research and education.
Dr. Reddy earned his bachelor's and medical degrees from Chengalpattu Medical College in India. He completed his internal medicine residency at St. Vincent Hospital in Worcester, Massachusetts, where he served as chief resident. He then pursued a hematology-oncology fellowship at the University of Connecticut, where he served as chief fellow. He currently serves as hematology-oncology clinician at Mercy Hospital Fort Smith.
Dr. Reddy is board certified in internal medicine, medical oncology and hematology, and is a member of the National Cancer Institute’s Head and Neck Cancer Task Force. His current focus at Mercy Research includes participation in the CLINBREAC study, investigating the patterns of germline genetic testing in newly diagnosed breast cancer patients, evaluating the impact of smoking status on adverse events in patients undergoing immunotherapy and contributing to the Tempus Gemini clinical trials focused on CRC and NSCLC.
Dr. Thomas earned his bachelor of medicine, bachelor of surgery (MBBS) degree from Christian Medical College in Ludhiana, India. His completed his internal medicine residency and cardiovascular disease fellowship at the University of Massachusetts and peripheral endovascular intervention and vascular medicine fellowship at The Miriam Hospital at Brown University Health. He currently serves at Mercy Heart and Vascular in St. Louis.
Dr. Thomas's current research includes participation in the C-Guardians study, focusing on the use of the CGuard™ Carotid Stent System for treating carotid artery stenosis. He is also involved in the DEEPER REVEAL study, which evaluates the Bare Temporary Spur Stent System for treating vascular lesions in infrapopliteal arteries below the knee, and is working on the startup project POWER PAD 2, which involves Pulse Intravascular Lithotripsy to open vessels with calcific walls and enhance vascular compliance and remodeling.
