Region Director Candidate
Campaign Message
As a nurse practitioner and Division Chief in a multi-specialty system, I ve seen firsthand the challenges and opportunities facing our profession. I successfully advocated for structural change that elevated NPs into executive leadership roles ensuring our voices shape strategy, not just clinical care. As Region 10 Director, I will advance AANP s mission by strengthening our policy influence, supporting full practice authority, and championing NP leadership across all settings. With deep roots in patient care and system leadership, I know what s possible when NPs lead. I d be honored to represent you and amplify our collective impact.
Bio Sketch
James Sims, DNP, APRN, ANP-BC, NP-C, CENP, is an adult nurse practitioner and Division Chief of Primary Care at PeaceHealth Medical Group in Oregon, where he leads more than 85 clinicians and provides direct care to over 1,100 geriatric patients. A dedicated advocate for advanced practice leadership, Dr. Sims successfully championed a systemwide change at PeaceHealth to include advanced practice clinicians in executive leadership roles establishing formal parity with physicians for the first time in the organization s history. He currently serves on the AANP Health Policy Committee, previously served as AANP Oregon State Liaison, and was a member of the Health Policy Conference Planning Committee. Dr. Sims has mentored over 150 NP students and is a national presenter on NP leadership, value-based care, and frailty in older adults. Dr. Sims holds a Doctor of Nursing Practice and is completing a Doctor of Healthcare Administration with an emphasis in operational leadership. A former nursing home owner and Medicare consultant, he brings decades of lived experience advocating for equitable, person-centered care. As Region 10 Director, he is committed to advancing AANP s mission by promoting policy change, supporting workforce development, and amplifying the leadership voice of nurse practitioners across the Pacific Northwest.
What do you think is the biggest challenge facing NPs in the delivery of health care over the next decade? How should AANP address this issue to support NPs and the populations they serve?
The biggest challenge facing NPs in the next decade is asserting leadership within evolving care models especially as value-based care, AI, and team-based delivery systems expand. Despite AANP s strong advocacy, many systems still default to physician-led structures. AANP should expand its efforts to redefine team-based care models to include NPs as clinical and executive leaders. This includes partnering with payers, policymakers, and health systems to elevate NP-led outcomes, advance full practice authority, and ensure NPs shape the future of healthcare delivery not just participate in it.
Describe, in detail, leadership and other professional skills that you will bring to AANP and provide at least one initiative or outcome that occurred because of these skills.
I bring strategic vision, policy advocacy, and a deep commitment to advancing NP leadership. As Division Chief at PeaceHealth, I successfully advocated for changes in the leadership structure to include advanced practice clinicians (APCs) alongside physicians in executive roles. This resulted in formal Section Chief positions for NPs and PAs, establishing parity in decision-making and governance. I also mentor future NPs and serve on the AANP Health Policy Committee, reflecting my dedication to developing the profession. These skills position me to support AANP s mission and elevate NP leadership nationally.
Identify one major challenge that could impact your ability to fulfill the responsibilities of the position you are seeking. How do you plan to manage this challenge to be successful?
One challenge is balancing national AANP responsibilities with my leadership role at my employer. As Division Chief overseeing a large, multispecialty team, my schedule is demanding. However, I manage this through disciplined time management, delegation, and aligning leadership priorities with my passion for advancing nurse practitioner roles. I ve successfully balanced organizational leadership with national advocacy through my work on the AANP Health Policy Committee and GAPNA presentations. By integrating AANP commitments into my strategic leadership focus, I remain fully engaged and effective, ensuring I contribute meaningfully to the profession while supporting the populations we serve.
AANP’s mission is to empower all NPs to advance accessible, person-centered, equitable, high-quality health care for diverse communities through practice, education, advocacy, research, and leadership. If elected, how do you propose to advance AANP's mission and strategic plan?
If elected, I will advance AANP s mission by promoting full practice authority, investing in NP leadership development, and expanding NP-led care models that serve diverse, underserved populations. I will support the strategic plan by aligning efforts with PEARL Practice, Education, Advocacy, Research, and Leadership. Building on my experience reforming leadership structures at PeaceHealth and serving on the AANP Health Policy Committee, I will advocate for equitable representation, increased visibility of NP-led outcomes, and stronger academic-practice-policy partnerships. These efforts will ensure that NPs are empowered to lead and deliver accessible, person-centered, high-quality care across all communities.