Wilmington University alumnus Dr. James Thomas was recognized as a Vista Millennial Superstar at an awards reception and celebration for the entire 2024 Class of VISTA Millennial Superstars on May 9 at the Penn State Great Valley campus in Malvern, PA. The awards are given annually by Vista.Today to millennials who have made significant contributions in their respective fields prior to reaching the age of 40.
Thomas is director of nursing at Mainline Health in Media, Pennsylvania, where he is responsible for the operations of the Emergency Department, Intensive Care Unit and Progressive Care Unit. He is board certified as an emergency nurse (CEN) by the Emergency Nurses Association and is a member of the Emergency Nurses Association’s National Awards Committee. As a leader, he also has a strong interest in improving employee recognition and retention as well as reducing inefficiency in the broader health care system.
“When I first got into nursing, a doctorate in nursing practice wasn’t even on my radar,” says Thomas. However, he found great success in his journey to earn a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree (DNP) with a concentration in leadership from Wilmington University’s College of Health Professions and Natural Sciences.
“When I decided to move forward with my DNP, Wilmington University supported me as a working individual in every way. The strong course work was relevant to all that I do now, and the insights provided by my professors were invaluable,” he adds.
“WilmU’s multidisciplinary approach is the foundation of my leadership growth, and my experience in the DNP program helped to prepare me for my role as director of nursing at Mainline Health.”
– Dr. James Thomas
To complete his DNP, Thomas developed, implemented, and evaluated a new pediatric seizure treatment protocol in the Pediatric Emergency Department of Nemours Children’s Hospital, where he served as nurse manager of the Emergency Department and Patient Access Team. In this role, he was responsible for the day-to-day operations of the only Pediatric Level 1 Trauma Center and Level 1 Pediatric Emergency Department in the State of Delaware.
While at Nemours, he also standardized the care of pediatric patients, reduced the length of stay for patients in the emergency department and streamlined outpatient neurology follow-up care. The impact of his lifesaving and organizational contributions to emergency pediatric patient care, and increased departmental efficiencies for emergency, inpatient and outpatient services can still be witnessed at Nemours today.
Thomas is a Fellow of Leadership Delaware, a past member of the Emergency Nurses Association’s National Emergency Department Operations Committee, and the former treasurer for the Delaware Emergency Nurses Association.
“WilmU’s multidisciplinary approach is the foundation of my leadership growth, and my experience in the DNP program helped to prepare me for my role as director of nursing at Mainline Health overseeing three different nursing units,” says Thomas. “I gained so much from the DNP process, which was especially helpful in my area of interest in standardizing care for new-onset pediatric seizures.”
As a Vista Millennial Superstar, Thomas is representative of all WilmU students and alumni who, with dreams, drive and determination, create the next level of business and professional accomplishment to which future generations can aspire.
Wilmington University congratulates Dr. James Thomas on this well-deserved award.