Dr Thornton completed a Bachelor of Science with a major in Biological Anthropology before her medical degree at the Australian National University. She was awarded a university medal and the Graham Wilkinson Prize for best medical student, recognising her commitment to rural health, education and academic excellence.
Her postgraduate training took her to Tamworth, followed by appointments at Canberra Hospital and John Hunter Hospital. She has also undertaken voluntary medical work in Tonga, Solomon Islands and West Africa.
Dr Thornton has published research in the Australasian Journal of Dermatology and continues to supervise active research in atopic dermatitis, hidradenitis suppurativa and psoriasis. As a Conjoint Lecturer at the University of Newcastle and Visiting Medical Officer at John Hunter Hospital, she is committed to training the next generation of dermatologists, medical students and general practitioners.
