Deborah Thompson Austin is a driven and compassionate health care professional, presenting over 20 years of hands-on experience in fast-paced hospital environments. She has proven expertise in patient experience, physician relations and employee engagement, and has a strong knowledge of regulatory and accreditation requirements. She is currently director of patient experience and engagement for John Muir Health. She has also served as manager of inpatient engagement, director of patient relations/accreditation, manager of patient relations and coordinator of patient relations — all for John Muir Health.

Ms. Thompson Austin graduated from UC Davis with a Bachelor of Arts in psychology and earned her Master of Public Administration at California State University, Hayward. A Cal Aggie Alumni Association life member, she is one of three family members to graduate from UC Davis. During her years as a student, she loved working for the campus police serving as an Aggie Host and also had an undergraduate internship with University Extension. 

At UC Davis, Ms. Thompson Austin serves as a board member for the African and African American Alumni Association and Cal Aggie Alumni Association, and also serves on the Cal Aggie Alumni Association Nominations and Governance Committee. 

Ms. Thompson Austin has also served as past president for the California Patient Relations Association, member of the Society for Healthcare Consumer Advocacy of the American Hospital Association, chair for the California Hospital Association, and member of the American College of Health Care Executives.

Ms. Thompson Austin joined the Dean’s Advisory Council in 2022.