Biography
Dr. Van Roper, PhD, RN, FNP-C, FAANP, is a distinguished nursing professional with a PhD in Nursing focused on Systems and Rural Health, as well as credentials as a Certified Nurse Practitioner and Registered Nurse in New Mexico. Since joining the University of New Mexico in 2013, he has served in pivotal roles, including Assistant Dean of Clinical Affairs and Associate Clinical Professor at the College of Nursing. His nursing career, spanning over 30 years, includes extensive experience as an emergency and intensive care nurse in Atlanta, Georgia, and as a Family Nurse Practitioner across various states. Dr. Roper has led key initiatives in telehealth, rural healthcare delivery, and nurse practitioner education.
A nationally recognized leader, Dr. Roper is an active presenter, researcher, and contributor to peer-reviewed journals. His work centers on critical issues such as social drivers of health, health equity, social justice, substance abuse, and rural healthcare. He is actively involved in professional organizations, has earned multiple awards for leadership and clinical excellence, and remains dedicated to improving healthcare access for underserved populations both locally and globally.
Dr. Roper earned his Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing from the University of Arizona in Tucson, a Master of Science in Nursing from Georgia State University in Atlanta, and an Associate Degree in Nursing from Kennesaw State University in Georgia.
Personal Statement
Throughout my career, I have remained committed to improving healthcare access and outcomes, particularly for rural and marginalized populations. My clinical and research interests center around rural health, telehealth, healthcare systems, clinical decision-making, and healthcare for underserved communities. These passions have driven my work as an investigator, co-investigator, and collaborator on various grants and initiatives supported by university, HRSA, NIH, and private funding sources. Through these efforts, I have developed innovative programs that integrate telehealth into primary care settings and incorporated these advancements into the curriculum for interprofessional health sciences students.
Central to my work has been the establishment and nurturing of partnerships with key organizations such as the New Mexico Rural Health Association, New Mexico Primary Care Association, and the New Mexico Dental Foundation. These collaborations have strengthened ties among health systems, clinics, clinicians, and educators across the state. My involvement with the New Mexico Dental Foundation and Remote Area Medical (RAM) has allowed me to coordinate and deliver free medical services during NM Mission of Mercy and RAM events. Additionally, my role as a clinical director for mission clinics worldwide has expanded my perspective on global healthcare needs and solutions.
Mentorship is also a core element of my professional identity. I have guided graduate students in systems research and projects that aim to enhance healthcare delivery and practice. This mentorship extends to my current research projects, which explore the use of Project ECHO in interprofessional education, telehealth implementation, rural healthcare delivery, social drivers of health, and interprofessional collaboration. I am particularly interested in the management of complex chronic diseases in rural settings and the potential of interprofessional education to transform healthcare outcomes.
As I pursue promotion to professor, I am driven by a desire to continue fostering advancements in healthcare systems, telehealth, and education that prioritize equitable, high-quality care for underserved populations. I am committed to using my skills, experience, and dedication to strengthen the academic and clinical missions of the College of Nursing.
Areas of Specialty
American Indian/ Alaska Native Health | Interprofessional Education | Primary Care | Rural Health | Underserved Populations
Education
PhD, University of Arizona, 2011 (Nursing)
MS, Georgia State University, 1996 (Family Nurse Practitioner)
ADN, Kennesaw State University, 1991 (Nursing)
Certifications
RN: Registered Nurse
FNP-C: Certified Family Nurse Practitioner
Achievements & Awards
FAANP: Fellow of the American Academic of Nurse Practitioners
Sigma Theta Tau International Honors Society Member
Key Publications
Journal Article
Roper, S. Van, Cox, Kim, 2017 Opioid Use Disorder in Pregnancy Journal of Midwifery & Women's Health, vol. 62, Issue 3, 329-340
Journal Article
Yin, Lei, Lin, Simon, Summers, Anne, O Roper, Van, Campen, Matthew, J Yu, Xiaozhong, 2021 Children with Amalgam Dental Restorations Have Significantly Elevated Blood and Urine Mercury Levels Toxicology Sciences, vol. 184, Issue 1, November 2021, 104-126
Other
Roper, S. Van, Accepted Evidence Based Practice Among Primary Care Nurse Practitioners , ,
Gender
Male
Languages
- English
Courses Taught
N526 Pathophysiology for Advanced Nursing Practice (FNP, PNP, CNM, AGACNP, PMHNP)
N535 Primary Care Adults I (FNP)
N536 Primary Care Adults II (FNP)
N537 Primary Care Adults III (FNP)
N540 Advanced Health Assessment and Diagnostic Reasoning (FNP, ACNP, CNM, PNP, PMHNP)
N542 Primary Care Pediatrics I (PNP & FNP)
N543 Pharmacological Principles of Clinical Therapeutics (FNP, PNP, AGACNP, CNM, PMHNP)
N546 Primary Care Pediatrics II (PNP & FNP)
N560 Clinical Decision-Making (AGACNP)
N595 Advanced Fieldwork (FNP, PNP, AGACNP, CNM)
N611 Rural Health (PhD)
N702 Applied Epidemiology (DNP)
N720 Etiology & Management of Complex Health & Illness in Rural Health (DNP)
N795 DNP Residency
Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes (ECHO) Complex Chronic Disease Management Inter-Professional Education Rotation (SoM, CoP)