Meet Dr. Paul Stephen Thornton
I was born in Dublin, Ireland, and completed my medical school education there (hence the funny looking MD degree). After medical school, I moved to London and did some pediatric training there. Then, I moved to the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia where I completed my residency and a fellowship in pediatric endocrinology. I stayed on staff at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia for several years before returning to Ireland in 1996 to run the National Center for Inherited Metabolic Diseases. In 1999, I moved back to Philadelphia and the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia to become the clinical director of the Congenital Hyperinsulinism Center, working closely with Dr. Charles Stanley. In 2003, I moved to Cook Children's Medical Center where I am very happy to continue working and hope to retire.
I knew I wanted to become a doctor at the age of 12 and never had plans to do anything else with my life, except perhaps become a chef. Once I got into medical school at 18, I very quickly realized I wanted to be a pediatrician. However, I didn't decide to become a pediatric endocrinologist until I started my training at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (where I was fortunate to work with the world's experts in hypoglycemia who taught me everything they knew and were responsible for fostering my love for helping babies and children with hypoglycemic disorders).
As the director of Cook Children's Endocrinology department, I have focused my energy on running the Congenital Hyperinsulinism Center and participating in the congenital adrenal hyperplasia, differences of sexual differentiation and Silver Russel clinics. I continue to see a few of my patients with general endocrine disorders that I have treated over the last 13-15 years so I can help transition them to adulthood.
My passion is for clinical medicine, making children comfortable at their medical visits and about their medical conditions, making the correct diagnosis and implementing the right treatment, while doing the least amount of testing and incurring the least amount of cost for families and yet providing the best quality of care. I like to approach my interactions with families with humor, while at the same time demonstrating empathy and understanding of the difficulties they are faced with on a daily basis managing a complex medical condition. I love to do research and travel around the world educating doctors about the rare diseases I treat. I especially love this now that my wife can travel with me because at the end of the day work is not just about taking care of patients, but also being able to spend time with and enjoy family.
Services
- Disease treatment and care
- State-of-the-art testing and diagnostics
- Precision medicine for the treatment of congenital hyperinsulinism
Reviews
Average rating:
Questions were addressed |
4,8
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Provider explained things clearly |
4,8
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Likelihood of recommending this provider |
4,8
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Trust/confidence in physicians |
4,8
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What our families say
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septiembre 27, 2024
The clinic is always so clean. The bathrooms, exam rooms, waiting area are unbelievably clean!!! We are always impressed and just grateful for a great place to get great care from a great team of providers!
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septiembre 27, 2024
Dr. Thornton and [...] are both unbelievable and amazing in every way. I have never met a provider as thorough and genuinely caring as Dr. Thornton. He looks at my daughter as an individual and really cared about her health and safety. He always explains things to us so well and it was really special to see him interact with the medical student during this visit. He was SO kind to her and genuinely wanted to help her learn! We all learned. He's so friendly and gentle while also effective. I can't say enough about how much we appreciate him and genuinely credit him so much for my daughter's well being. [...] is always kind and helpful and responsive and we really appreciate them both so much!!!
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septiembre 21, 2024
Very good
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septiembre 07, 2024
Very thorough, supportive, and explained well. Direct with information and gave plenty of space for questions
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agosto 28, 2024
Everything was excellent!
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agosto 28, 2024
Doctor Thornton was excellent. He explained everything thoroughly. He made both of us feel like he really cared about our concerns. I was really impressed!
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julio 24, 2024
Dr. Paul Thornton and [...], RN. They are excellent caregivers! We were treated so well. This is the best endocrinologist's office that we have ever visited. We feel very confident in the care we are receiving in this office. They go above and beyond in caring for our daughter.
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julio 24, 2024
This is an exceptional clinic! It should be used as an example for others to follow. Although we had many different appointments during the day, the time spent at each clinic was minimal. We were in and out but we did not feel rushed. The nurse and doctor took time to answer our questions and did not rush us out. The way the office is designed is nice also, it feels like a small clinic and with personalized attention. We actually look forward to our visits with the doctor. Again, I want to stress that this is an exceptional clinic and an exceptional doctor and an exceptional nurse. (All of the endocrinology clinic personnel are exceptional!)
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julio 23, 2024
Dr. Thorton was amazing, as was his P.A.
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julio 23, 2024
I was thoroughly impressed with the check-in staff, the tech staff, everyone really. The whole process was incredibly smooth. The parking was wonderful, and it feels like every detail was incredibly well thought of. Our youngest son who was just with us also loved all the elements, including the art on the walls and the maze in the entry way. Great job!
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julio 20, 2024
It was good experience as always
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junio 14, 2024
Dr. Thornton, Lainy and Corie were attentive, thorough, and considerate. I was very appreciative of their time and that they showed genuine concern for our concerns and our son.
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abril 29, 2024
We had a wonderful experience with every staff member and practitioner that we interacted with. My family was very impressed.
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abril 27, 2024
Every single person at Dr.Thornton's office is very nice and beyond helpful. Questions are always addressed and answered so quickly.
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abril 26, 2024
The wait time was a little long but I am sure this is due to how much time Dr. Thornton spends with each patient. He is always so thorough with us and genuinely interested in all of the details and I'm glad he does that with his other patients too. I'll gladly wait for a provider who is focused and not rushed and that's exactly what you get with Dr. Thornton.
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abril 18, 2024
Everything was wonderful. This is the first clinic and hospital where we felt almost at home. From the parking to admissions to seeing the doctor and receiving care, every employee was friendly and helpful. The clinic was so clean and nice!
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abril 18, 2024
Dr. Paul Thornton and his entire staff. Exceptional care. One of the best experiences we have ever had with a doctor and his staff. This clinic is wonderful! Thoughtful, caring and willing to go above and beyond to help us. We need more clinics like this in the country! I appreciate the time that Dr. Thornton spent explaining my child's disease and how he took a personal interest in her health and her life.
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febrero 21, 2024
Excellent from beginning to end!
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febrero 21, 2024
Dr. Paul Thornton was outstanding and addressed all needs of my child. His bedside manner was exceptional. He was extremely thorough, thoughtful and took his time. His nurse and and student was outstanding and very kind.
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febrero 05, 2024
The office staff is wonderful. Especially Laina and Ashley.
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enero 16, 2024
Dr. Thornton is always friendly and has my child's best interest at heart. Even related to the other specialities she sees. Today we also had imaging that needed done for her orthopedic doctor who is not in the Cooks system. I believe Brandi is the name of the lady working the desk in radiology. Haley was the tech. They were also both very friendly and helpful. They made what could have been a very frustrating situation less frustrating because of their help and kindness. Much appreciated!
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diciembre 20, 2023
Dr. Thornton is the best!
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noviembre 21, 2023
The entire experience was comfortable and very helpful
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noviembre 21, 2023
The entire staff was professional, caring, knowledgeable and friendly.
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noviembre 20, 2023
Katie RN and Dr. Thornton
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noviembre 03, 2023
Dr. Thornton, his nurse Katie, lab physicians.
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noviembre 03, 2023
Dr. Thornton was unbelievable! He spent so much time taking my daughter's case so very seriously. He was so kind and friendly but also knowledgable and informative. He really explained things to all of us in a way no doctor has before. I am SO grateful to have my daughter under his care and I can certainly see how he has such a great reputation!
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noviembre 02, 2023
The check- in desk staff for the Endocrin desk. They are always so happy and love to talk to us and make our son smile
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octubre 27, 2023
Staff is all great in endo clinic, nurse katie and Lanie Coffey are so kind and helpful.
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octubre 20, 2023
Dr. Thornton switched to the telehealth visit. Which saved me several hours of travel, and all my questions were answered. It was much easier than going to the clinic, because I live out of town. I was satisfied with our visit and felt taken care of.
Publications
Paul S. Thornton 1,2 and Colin P. Hawkes 3,4,5. Approach to the Patient: Investigation of Pediatric Hypoglycemia in the Emergency Department—A Practical Algorithm. The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, 2024, 00, 1–9. https://doi.org/10.1210/clinem/dgae072
Paul S. Thornton 1, Diva D. De Leon 2, 3, Susann Empting 4, David Zangen 5, David M. Kendall 6, Sune Birch 6, Eva Bøge 6, Jelena Ivkovic 6, and Indraneel Banerjee 7. Dasiglucagon for the Treatment of Congenital Hyperinsulinism: A Randomized Phase 3 Trial in Infants and Children. The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, 2023, 00, 1–9. https://doi.org/10.1210/clinem/dgad648
Charles A. Stanley 1, 2, Paul S. Thornton 3, 4, and Diva D. De Leon 1,2. New approaches to screening and management of neonatal hypoglycemia based on improved understanding of the molecular mechanism of hypoglycemia. March 2023. DOI 10.3389/fped.2023.1071206. https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fped.2023.1071206/full
Preneet Cheema Brar 1, Ryan Heksch 2, Kristina Cossen 3, Diva D. De Leon 4, Manmohan K. Kamboj 5, Seth D. Marks 6, Bess A. Marshall 7, Ryan Miller 8, Laura Page 9, Takara Stanley 10, Deborah Mitchell 10, and Paul Thornton Management and Appropriate Use of Diazoxide in Infants and Children with Hyperinsulinism. The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, 2020, Vol. 105, No. 12, 1–12 doi:10.1210/clinem/dgaa543. https://academic.oup.com/jcem/article/105/12/3750/5894029
Danielle Drachmann 1, Erica Hoffmann 1, Austin Carrigg 1, Beccie Davis‑Yates 1, 2, Valerie Weaver 1, Paul Thornton 3, David A. Weinstein 4, Jacob S. Petersen 5, Pratik Shah 6 and Henrik Thybo Christesen 7, 8. Towards enhanced understanding of idiopathic ketotic hypoglycemia: a literature review and introduction of the patient organization, Ketotic Hypoglycemia International. Drachmann et al. Orphanet J Rare Dis (2021) 16:173. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13023-021-01797-2
Garg PK, Putegnat B, Truong L, et al. Visual interpretation, not SUV ratios, is the ideal method to interpret 18F-DOPA PET scans to aid in the cure of patients with focal congenital hyperinsulinism. PLoS One. 2020;15(10):e0241243. Published 2020 Oct 27. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0241243. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33108363/
Kathryn White 1, Lisa Truong 2, Kimberly Aaron 3, Nasir Mushtaq 4, Paul S Thornton 2 The Incidence and Etiology of Previously Undiagnosed Hypoglycemic Disorders in the Emergency Department. PMID: 30365409. DOI: 10.1097/PEC.0000000000001634. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30365409/
Paul Thornton 1, Lisa Truong 1, Courtney Reynolds 2 3, Tyler Hamby 4, Jonathan Nedrelow 5 Rate of Serious Adverse Events Associated with Diazoxide Treatment of Patients with Hyperinsulinism. PMID: 30889588. DOI: 10.1159/000497458. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30889588/
Paul S Thornton 1, Charles A Stanley 2, Diva D De Leon 2, Deborah Harris 3, Morey W Haymond 4, Khalid Hussain 5, Lynne L Levitsky 6, Mohammad H Murad 7, Paul J Rozance 8, Rebecca A Simmons 9, Mark A Sperling 10, David A Weinstein 11, Neil H White 12, Joseph I Wolfsdorf 13, Pediatric Endocrine Society Recommendations from the Pediatric Endocrine Society for Evaluation and Management of Persistent Hypoglycemia in Neonates, Infants, and Children. PMID: 25957977. DOI: 10.1016/j.jpeds.2015.03.057. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25957977/
Pradeep K Garg 1, Stephen J Lokitz 1, Lisa Truong 2, Burton Putegnat 2, Courtney Reynolds 2, Larry Rodriguez 2, Rachid Nazih 1, Jonathan Nedrelow 2, Miguel de la Guardia 2, John K Uffman 2, Sudha Garg 1, Paul S Thornton 2 Pancreatic uptake and radiation dosimetry of 6-18Ffluoro-L-DOPA from PET imaging studies in infants with congenital hyperinsulinism. PMID: 29117181 PMCID: PMC5695579. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0186340. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29117181/
Kai Lee Yap 1 2, Amy E Knight Johnson 1, David Fischer 1, Priscilla Kandikatla 1, Jacea Deml 1, Viswateja Nelakuditi 1, Sara Halbach 1, George S Jeha 3, Lindsay C Burrage 4, Olaf Bodamer 5, Valeria C Benavides 6, Andrea M Lewis 4, Sian Ellard 7, Pratik Shah 8, Declan Cody 9, Alejandro Diaz 10, Aishwarya Devarajan 5, Lisa Truong 11, Siri Atma W Greeley 12, Diva D De Leon 13, Andrew C Edmondson 14, Soma Das 1, Paul Thornton 11, Darrel Waggoner 1, Daniela Del Gaudio 15 Correction: "Congenital hyperinsulinism as the presenting feature of Kabuki syndrome: clinical and molecular characterization of 10 affected individuals". PMID: 30097611. DOI: 10.1038/s41436-018-0126-1. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30097611/
Ann W McMahon 1, Gerold T Wharton 1, Paul Thornton 2, Diva D De Leon 3 Octreotide use and safety in infants with hyperinsulinism. PMID: 27910218 PMCID: PMC5286465. DOI: 10.1002/pds.4144. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27910218/
Preneet Cheema Brar 1, Ryan Heksch 2, Kristina Cossen 3, Diva D De Leon 4, Manmohan K Kamboj 5, Seth D Marks 6, Bess A Marshall 7, Ryan Miller 8, Laura Page 9, Takara Stanley 10, Deborah Mitchell 10, Paul Thornton 11 Management and Appropriate Use of Diazoxide in Infants and Children with Hyperinsulinism. PMID: 32810255. DOI: 10.1210/clinem/dgaa543. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32810255/
Ana Paola De Cosio 1, Paul Thornton 2 Current and Emerging Agents for the Treatment of Hypoglycemia in Patients with Congenital Hyperinsulinism. PMID: 31218604. DOI: 10.1007/s40272-019-00334-w. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31218604/
Education
- Medical School:
- University College, Dublin, Ireland
- Residency:
- Medicine: St. Luke's Hospital and St. Vincent's Hospital
- Pediatrics: Temple Street Children's Hospital, The National Maternity Hospital, Guys Hospital, The Hospital for Sick Children, and The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
- Board Certifications:
- American Board of Pediatrics
- Pediatric Endocrinology
Affiliations
- Pediatric Endocrine Society,Endocrine Society,European Society for Pediatric Endocrinology,American Diabetes Association,Cook Children's Physician Network
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