Tick Boot Camp Episode 518: LIVE from ILADS: Dr. James Thatcher - From Childhood Tick Encounters to Leading Wisconsin's Tick Center
May 5, 2025
16:00
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
Resources & Links:
- Follow the latest ILADS updates at ILADS.org
- Learn more about Dr. Thatcher at ThatchMed.com
- Stay connected with Tick Boot Camp: Website | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | TikTok | Twitter (X)