Governor Ralph Northam appointed James Hermansen-Parker, MSN, RN, PCCN-K, Norfolk resident and nurse at Sentara Norfolk General Hospital to the Virginia Department of Health Professions (VHP) Board of Nursing.
Hermansen-Parker has been a nurse for over 12 years and is currently a nurse specialist at Sentara Norfolk General focusing on education, quality improvement and onboarding of new nurses.
VHP is comprised of a 14-member Board, a 5-member Massage Therapy Advisory Board that regulates nurses (RN and LPN), Nurse Practitioners including Nurse Anesthetists and Nurse Midwives, Nurse Aides, Advanced Certified Nurse Aides, Clinical Nurse Specialists, Medication Aides and Massage Therapists. The Board also approves and regulates in-state education programs for Nurses (RN and LPN), Nurse Aides, and Medication Aides.
Hermansen-Parker has a keen interest in nursing education and noted a need for a Board member representing the Hampton Roads region prior to his application. He credits not only his nursing credentials, but his leadership experience as past President of Hampton Roads Pride, with InterPride, an organization that ties Pride celebrations together at the international level and with Hampton Roads Business Outreach (HRBOR). Currently, he is the only openly-gay member of the Board.
“I think one of the reasons I was appointed to the (VHP) Board is because of my background and past leadership roles,” said Hermansen-Parker.
While Virginia’s nurses are not required to partake in diversity and inclusion training, Hermansen-Parker hopes to have these conversations with his colleagues throughout the Commonwealth and at a national level. Hermansen-Parker’s term on the Board expires on June 30, 2023.
