Dr. Thornton is the Division Chief for Pediatric Rehabilitation Medicine at Sidra Hospital in Doha, Qatar. And Assistant Professor of Clinical Pediatrics at Weill Cornell Medical College, with a clinical interest is in the holistic care of children with disabilities.  In her current role she is also focused on helping to improve care coordination and disability services in Qatar.   Before moving to Doha in 2017 her academic appointment was at the University of Chicago.  She was Medical Director of Pediatric and Adolescent Rehabilitation at LaRabida Children’s Hospital, and Schwab Rehabilitation Hospital.  Dr. Thornton received her undergraduate degree at Fisk University and her medical degree from the University of Michigan.  She completed pediatric specialty training at Children’s Memorial Hospital in Chicago (now Lurie Children’s) and her rehabilitation residency at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago.

Dr. Thornton  has been appointed to the Qatar Task force on the Health and Wellbeing for People with Special Needs, which is part of the Qatar National Health Strategy.  She has worked with numerous organizations which focus on advocating for the policy needs of people with disabilities.  As part of a strong parent-professional partnership with Reaching for the Stars she gave testimony to the US Senate Appropriations Sub-Committee on Labor, Health & Human Services to encourage specific funding for CP research.  She is a former board member of the American Academy for Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine and was chairman of the Advocacy Committee for the same organization.

Dr. Thornton founded CAMP (Children with Adapted Mobility Play) Chicago, a summer camp that helps foster full inclusion of children with disabilities in various recreational and cultural activities throughout the Chicago area.  All activities are adapted to permit optimal participation for all the children regardless of physical limitations.  CAMP is free to the children and is funded entirely on donations.

Dr. Thornton has extensive media experience and has provided health commentary on The Dr Oz Show, The Steve Harvey TV Show,  NBC’s Today Show, CNN, ABC’s “Good Morning America” and “World News Tonight”, the CBS Morning Show.