Ms. Yolanda Mims-Johnson is a native New Yorker. She was born and raised in the Hudson Valley, in Highland Falls, just outside West Point. She obtained her first undergraduate degree from SUNY New Paltz with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology in May 1990. She returned to school to pursue nursing and obtained an associate in applied science in Nursing in 1999. She subsequently received her Bachelors and Master of Science in Nursing degrees. She graduated in December 2022 from Mount Saint Mary College with a post-master’s certification specialization in Family Nurse Practitioner. Yolanda has been accepted to the Doctoral of Nursing Program at The University of Buffalo School of Nursing and will start that course of study in the fall of 2024.
Ms. Mims-Johnson’s 25-year nursing career includes diverse clinical skills and experience in medical, surgical, oncology, critical care, emergency, trauma nursing, wound care, case management /care coordination, and nursing supervision. She is certified in the following areas: family nurse practitioner, wound care, case management, and care coordination. She is a nurse practitioner in the outpatient pulmonary specialty clinic at the Veterans Health Administration in Wappingers Falls, NY.
Yolanda retired from military service as Lieutenant Colonel in May 2022 after serving 35 years combined total service in the Army Reserve, active duty, and the New York Army National Guard. Ms. Mims-Johnson was deployed to Kandahar, Afghanistan, in 2008 and served as the Officer in Charge at Forward Operation Base Lindsey, working as the charge nurse in the trauma unit in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. When she retired, Ms. Mims-Johnson was the Chief Nurse of the New York Army National Guard. Her awards and recognitions include the Meritorious Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal with Bronze Service Star, the Global War of Terrorism Service Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Campaign Star, the Reserve Component Achievement Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, and Overseas Service Ribbon. While serving on active duty, Ms. Mims-Johnson received Nursing Supervisor of the Year for the Regional Health Command Atlantic in 2018.
Yolanda Mims-Johnson was inducted into Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. in the spring of 1986 as an undergraduate at SUNY New Paltz. She served as the President of the Theta Sigma Sigma, Hudson Valley alumnae chapter from 2016-20. Ms. Mims-Johnson is a proud charter member of the newly chartered Nu Tau Sigma Alumnae Chapter, Spring Valley, Rockland Co., NY, and serves as the chapter's Sgt-at Arms. Ms. Mims-Johnson is a proud Life Member of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Inc. and has held several local, regional, and national committee positions.
Ms. Mims-Johnson's other community involvement includes being a life member of the Hudson Valley Women’s Association of Highland Falls and treasurer of O’Connor Doyle American Legion Post 633. Both organizations focus on providing resources and services to underserved populations such as veterans, women, and children. Yolanda’s professional affiliations include the American Nurses Association, American Association of Nurse Practitioners, The Nurse Practitioner Association New York State, and the NY State Black Nurses Association, Life member.
Yolanda has married Matthew, a SUNY New Paltz alum, for 33 years. They have two adult children, Brittani and Malik, both educators. She is looking forward to her son’s wedding in October 2024 and is officially welcoming her new daughter-in-law, Caitlin, to the family! When Yolanda is not working or volunteering, she loves spending time with her family and traveling with her husband!
“I am overwhelmed and honored to be recognized by my esteemed alma mater. I am truly humbled to have been nominated by one of my oldest and dearest lifelong friends, whom I met at freshman orientation at SUNY Paltz in August of 1986. Thank you Gorgette Green-Hodnett ‘91 for 'seeing' me and acknowledging that one can love what they do and make a difference!”
