James Parker, ARNP, PMHNP-BC

Why did you become a provider? I wanted to help people rediscover their intrinsic hope by learning about them and creating a treatment plan with them.

Why did you decide to join UnityPoint Health? I believe in giving the care we would want our loved ones to receive; it's the most personal and intimate mission we can take upon ourselves. I joined UnityPoint Health to be part of a team that sought that kind of connection with the people and community it serves.

What are your medical specialties or special interests: My career path has been varied and non-traditional. I have lived in many different places and experienced various cultures. I speak multiple languages. What these things provide me is a broad perspective of the human journey through life. Since I began my journey to become a provider, I also gained experience from facilitating a faith-based addiction recovery program. Between my broad life experiences, diverse work experience, and working with people in some of their most trying times I feel I can empathize with people in ways many others may not.

What is the most important thing to know about you? Faith and family are very big parts of my life. Hope and community are important aspects of the treatment I wish to offer.

How would you describe the ideal provider/patient relationship? A relationship based on truth, integrity, acceptance and personal growth.

What's importatnt to know about your medical philosophy? Everyone is at a different place in their journey through life. I work to meet my patients and peers wherever they are at in that journey. I pray they will do the same for me.

What do you like to do in your free time? Motorcycle riding is the most liberating activity I have found. The application of the term "wind therapy" is very accurate. I have also played video games for most of my life. As a father, I better appreciate how much video games helped me learn so many things like geopolitics, principles of aviation and how to drive a car. As I watch my two sons play and I join with them, I am able to help them learn many things they might otherwise miss. I enjoy the opportunities to coach them in sportsmanship, resource management, mathematics, astronomy, agricultural, civil engineering, diplomacy and many other subjects. Video games have been given a bad rap over the years, but I believe any time adults permit children to use powerful tools, unpleasant things are bound to happen. Parents and children need to spend more time playing together in the world children are familiar with. In addition spending time with my family, I am active in my church. I have served as an adolescent youth advisor, as well as a facilitator for an addiction recovery group.

Describe your family: I've been married for almost 25 years, and I have two teenage sons.