Candidate for Director
![James Thoms](/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/2023-07/thomsJames.jpg?itok=rF2gBFYP)
James Thoms, MSN, RN, CDN
Job Position and Professional Responsibilities:
Hello, my name is James Thoms. I am a hemodialysis nurse from Watertown, South Dakota. I am running on common sense. In my opinion, ANNA is going in the wrong direction, and I would like to course correct by removing the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion agenda. I understand that this may be an unpopular view, but the DEI agenda is very divisive and will destroy the "House of ANNA". I would be proud to aid the membership as a servant leader working to keep ANNA a place where networking can happen as professionals without censorship of ideas.
Describe your qualifications for this role, and include past ANNA leadership positions:
First, and formost, I am dedicated to this organization and want the best for it.
I have been a dialysis nurse for over 20 years and an active participant in ANNA leadership for 15 of them. I have fulfilled chapter and national positions since 2008:
- Chapter Treasurer, Greater MN #329 2022- Curent
- Chapter President, Greater MN #329 2021 – Apr. 2022
- ANNA Chapter Support Team (ACST) Chair, Apr. 2020 – April 2021
- ANNA Chapter Support Team (ACST) Chair-designate Apr. 2019 – Apr. 2020
- ANNA Chapter Support Team Leader (ACST), Apr. 2018 – 2019
- Chapter President, Greater MN #329 2016 – Apr. 2017
- Chapter President-elect, Greater MN #329 2015- Apr. 2016
- Health Policy Representative, Greater MN #329 2014- Apr. 2015
- VLW Planning Taskforce- 2014- Dec. 2015
- Health Policy Representative, Greater MN #329 2013 – Apr. 2014
- Chapter President, Greater MN #329 2012 – Apr. 2013
- Chapter President-elect, Greater MN #329 2011- Apr. 2012
- Health Policy Representative, Greater MN #329 2010 – Apr. 2011
- Chapter President, Greater MN #329 2009 – Apr. 2010
- Chapter President-elect, Greater MN #329 2008- Apr. 2009
I have my Masters Degree in nursing with a focus on leadership and management. While I did want a management position in dialysis, my aspiration is to help lead and direct the organization that I love, and restore it to the professional networking fellowship.
Describe your role in three ANNA projects/activities which support(ed) ANNA’s mission, goals, and objectives:
As a chapter officer I have been involed in implementing all day conferences, in-person, and virtual meetings to promote scholarship, education and networking.
In the ACST role, I assisted chapters in meeting recharter requirements and encouraged them to keep communication lines open both up and down stream to maximize participation.
As the chair of the ACST team, I was also able to mentor leaders to develop skills and encourage these leaders through a time when stress was high and the world was shut down.