Thomas Hanks, MD

Thomas “Tom” Hanks was born and raised in Corpus Christi, Texas, and moved to Anchorage, Alaska, prior to high school. He later attended Arizona State University in Tempe, earning a degree in exercise science before matriculating to the University of Washington School of Medicine as part of the Alaska WWAMI cohort. During medical school, Tom conducted clinical outcomes research with the Virginia Mason Department of Neurosciences and Spine and the University of Washington Department of Neurological Surgery. He also completed a dedicated research year in the laboratory of Dr. Manuel Ferreira, Jr., focusing on translational genomics in chordoma. Additionally, he worked with Dr. Marc R. Mayberg on the development of a novel device for repairing cerebrospinal fluid leaks in endoscopic spine surgery. Outside of medicine, Tom enjoys weightlifting, running, snowboarding, hiking, and grilling for friends and family.