In June 2023, the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) awarded UCLA School of Nursing Alumnus, Dr. James Q. Simmons with the Sharp Cutting Edge Award. The recipient of the Sharp Cutting Edge Award demonstrates extraordinary service on behalf of nurse practitioners and promotes diversity, equity, and inclusivity within health care through social justice initiatives that have increased access to quality health care for all. Dr. Theresa Brown, Assistant Program Director of the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program and the Region 9 AANP Director, and Dr. Nancy Jo Bush, Program Director of the DNP program, nominated Dr. Simmons for the award. 

“Dr. James Simmons has combined his expertise and talents in healthcare and communications to educate, touch, and reach out to underserved and at-risk populations. He continues to emerge as a model and voice for the LGBTQIA+ and Black communities. He is the founder of the vibrant online community “Ask the NP.” His combination of multimedia experience and working concurrently as a hospital-based clinician makes Dr. Simmons a trusted resource for real, relatable, and reliable health information. Dr. Simmons is a founding member and continuing Ambassador for the Center for Disease Control (CDC) “Let’s Stop HIV Together” campaign.” – Dr. Theresa Brown.

"I am truly honored to be the recipient of the prestigious 2023 Sharp Cutting Edge Award from the American Association of Nurse Practitioners. More importantly, I'm beyond humbled to have been nominated by my colleagues and mentors Drs. Theresa Brown and Nancy Jo Bush. They embody the intellect, passion, and leadership unique to our profession and continually inspire me to innovate in how we care for the patients and communities we serve." – Dr. James Q. Simmons. 

Dr. Simmons graduated from the UCLA School of Nursing DNP program in June 2020.

"It’s certainly been a busy time with Covid in the last year and a half or so. Not only  continuing to take care of patients with Covid and other serious illnesses as a Hospitalist at St. Francis Medical Center, but also by educating the public regarding Covid prevention, vaccines, therapeutics, etc. I’ve spent a great deal of time on television, radio, podcast, and social media helping educate the public about these and other important health issues.

Most recently I’ve been featured on a biweekly health segment on KTLA called A Dose of Truth, where we break down commonly held misconceptions about health and other health-related myths and give the viewers the facts they need to be as healthy as possible. (you can see clips of this and other work at www.AskTheNP.com) 

I’ve also been working this year with the CDC’s Let’s Stop HIV Together prevention program and I’ve been asked again to be a CDC clinical ambassador for this program for the next calendar year, I’m very excited!

I also continue to serve on the advisory board for an organization called APAIT, whose mission is to serve those living with or at high risk for HIV, particularly the LGBTQ plus and homeless communities.

Several UCLA School of Nursing instructors have asked me to guest lecture on topics ranging from nurses in media, to heart failure, and trauma care. I’m excited to guest lecture again this fall regarding sepsis and end-of-life care. 

Finally, I’m hoping to continue the work started with my DNP scholarly project by partnering with the UCLA Center for HIV Identification, Prevention, and Treatment Services regarding increasing education, awareness, and avenues to HIV treatment and prevention for diverse communities using social media."