NPO’s new President James Sims, DNP, APRN, ANP-BC, NP-C, received his Doctorate of Nursing Practice (DNP) at the University of Portland and has earned several honors throughout his nursing career, including Nursing Director of the Year for the Southwest Region of the United States in 2007 and NPO’s Nannette Clapper Memorial Scholarship in 2014.

“My main goal as president of NPO is to ensure NPs maintain their scope of practice in Oregon,” Sims said. “It’s also important for NPO to remain active advocates for increasing NP’s professional scope of practice on a federal level. By advocating as a group, our efforts can be much more far-reaching.”

Sims is also a patient advocate in his practice as a geriatric primary care provider in the Senior Health and Wellness department at PeaceHealth Group in Eugene.

“I enjoy getting to know patients’ families and their children,” Sims said. “It helps me ensure my patients maintain a level of health as they advance in their waning years. Parents made their children who they are today.”

A Board-Certified NP (AANP) and Board-Certified Gerontological Nurse (ANCC), Sims frequently presents at professional conferences, addressing a wide range of best practices in gerontology.

When he can, Sims also volunteers at Volunteers in Medicine in Eugene where he provides a full spectrum of family health care to the city’s most vulnerable populations.

Now recovering from a fractured hip, Sims has been interrupted in developing a new area of expertise. “I’m looking forward to resuming my dance lessons,” Sims laughed. “I’m taking them so I don’t embarrass my wife on the dance floor.”

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