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Thomas A. Nims

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Ohio Wesleyan University

FUNERAL HOME

Moreland Funeral Home - Westerville

55 E. Schrock Road

Westerville, Ohio

Thomas Nims Obituary

Nims Thomas A. Nims, M.D., age 75, passed away peacefully at home on Sunday, November 8, 2015, surrounded by family and loved ones. He was born in Adrian, Michigan on May 7, 1940 and grew up in Troy, Ohio. He went to Ohio Wesleyan University where he excelled in academics and on the basketball court and later attended Ohio State University Medical School. After receiving his medical degree, he joined the military service as a Captain and worked in South Vietnam in the 2nd Surgical Hospital. Upon return, he did a surgical residency at Riverside Methodist Hospital and then went on to do a Surgical Oncology Fellowship at Memorial Sloan-Kettering in New York City. He began the Surgical Oncology Program at Grant Medical Center and he worked in the Medical Education Department as Director of Surgery teaching and training new residents. He also had a private practice in Surgical Oncology for many years. Later, he specialized and began the Breast Cancer Fellowship Program at Grant. He was a gifted surgeon and caring physician establishing deep relationships with his patients. His private life included being the proud father of three children and loving grandfather of 12 grandchildren, Tom and Sandra Nims (with children, Davis, Turner, McKenna, Carson, Sydney and Holland) of Dunwoody, Georgia; Katy and Brett Joseph (with children, Kamryn, Zane and Madison) of Washington Court House, Ohio, and, Jenny and Charles Winston (with children, RuthAnne, Charlie and Georgia) of Raleigh, North Carolina. He is survived by a brother, a sister and other beloved family members, friends and his wife, co-worker and soulmate, Jan. They devoted their lives to taking care of their patients and others. As he battled cancer for others, he battled cancer himself with grace and dignity and accepted death as a part of life. Visitation will be held at MORELAND FUNERAL HOME, 55 East Schrock Road, Westerville, on Saturday, November 14, from 1-3 p.m. with a memorial and remembrance service starting at 3 p.m. For those who wish, memorial contributions may be made to: OhioHealth Hospice, 800 McConnell Drive, Columbus, Ohio 43214. Family condolences can be shared online at www.morelandfuneralhome.com

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Columbus Dispatch from Nov. 10 to Nov. 12, 2015.

Memories and Condolences
for Thomas Nims

21 Entries

Robyn Lutz

November 4, 2021

Dear Jan and Family- I think of you and Dr. Nims so often. There is an abundance of literature on "patient-centered care" and I've done my own research using Motivational Interviewing. Dr. Nim's practice of taping (with a cassette recorder, mind you) the delivery of the news of a cancer diagnosis to patients and then having us go in with him so that they could have the tape and ask or write down any questions, was indeed the practice of "patient centered care." Way before his time, he practiced patient centered care as he treated patients with dignity, respect and listened intently to each one of them. Their expertise on themselves was an important part of the doctor-patient relationship and care plan. He also treated all of us on the 9th floor at Grant with that same respect. I'm sure you miss him every day Jan. I can hear his voice as I write this. He was a remarkable person and the two of you touched so many lives together. I pray that God can comfort you with His peace on the anniversary of Dr. Nim's transition. God Bless

Sarah Tharp

November 4, 2021

I had the honor of working with this truly gifted surgeon..what an inspiration he was to so many of us on the oncology floor at Grant hospital.

Connie Shultz

October 30, 2016

Dear Jan, Was looking up to see how Dr. Nims was doing and came across his obituary. So sorry for your loss. He was an exceptional man. I think of you both often ,as you both were never far from my heart. Rick and I feel lucky to have had him care for me while I battled my cancer. Couldn't have done it without you both. God bless you all and take care.❤❤

Judy Pollock & Julie Johnson

April 22, 2016

Jan - we just learned of Dr. Nims's death and wanted to express our condolences. He helped us through the cancer "experience" and made those appointments (before and after) as interesting and friendly as they could be. We had not seen him for many years but have always thought fondly of him. Hope this finds you doing well.

December 7, 2015

Jan. I am so sorry.this is iona from troy Ohio,one of the four sisters that's aw dr. Twice a year. I just found out. I am so sorry. He was a wonderful caring dr. We would have come overr. If we knew. Iona stull, troy,Ohio

David Hamilton

December 4, 2015

I learned this week of the passing of Dr. Nims. He was a fine gentleman and wonderful doctor. I had the honor of working with Tom in the Grant Medical Center Medical Education Department for many years. Dr. Nims will live on in the hearts of his many patients and the nurses, medical students, residents and fellows he trained. My deepest sympathy goes out to Jan and his family.

Jean Allen

November 15, 2015

TO THE FAMILY OF DR. THOMAS A. NIMS:

I was surprised and saddened to learn that Dr. Nims had passed away.

I am so very sorry for your loss. Please accept my sincere sympathy and condolences. I hope that time and loving memories of the life and love you shared with Dr. Nims will bring you comfort and peace.

The obituary was a wonderful tribute to a life well lived. I thank him for his service to our country.

The thoughts of many people are with you during this very sad time for your family.

Dr. Nims will be missed.

November 15, 2015

We extend our sincere sympathy to the family of Dr Tom Nims. Joseph and Mary Miller

Sarah Tharp

November 14, 2015

I had the honor of working with this magnificent surgeon while working as a nurse on the 9th floor of Grant Hospital...he will be remembered for all his selfless care as a dedicated Oncologist, mentor and friend to many...may he rest in peace knowing that he always gave his best to his patients..

Robyn Lutz

November 14, 2015

Dr. Nim's taught me many things as a nurse in my first years out of nursing school but by far the most important skill that he imparted by example was to listen carefully to patients as people who enter their journey into health care with a history and story which informs their frame of reference in terms of what is happening to them. He always taught us to listen to that story carefully before we began to educate them and to treat people with dignity and respect. He let people tape the conversations he had with them because he knew they would need to slowly digest the impact of their life changing diagnosis.
His patients adored him and he was an excellent surgeon. What a great man! I am sure The Lord is saying "well done my good and faithful servant" to Dr. Nims.
Prayers to you Jan and family.

Barbara Scherer

November 12, 2015

I am so sorry to hear of the loss of such a fine man and physician. I knew Dr Nims from my many years at Grant. I was also a patient of his at one time. He was well respected and loved. My deepest sympathies to Jan and his entire family.

RIP

Herb USMC

November 12, 2015

Well Done, Dr. Nims

Herb USMC

November 12, 2015

Herb USMC

November 12, 2015

Herb USMC

November 12, 2015

Captain

Herb USMC

November 12, 2015

2nd. Surgical Hospital/Nam

Herb USMC

November 12, 2015

Herb USMC

November 12, 2015

Herb Guyer-Sharfenaker USMC

November 12, 2015

God Bless/RIP,to ALL who served.Thank YOU For your service in Vietnam, Capt.Nims... And Semper Fi SIR.

Mark Cripe

November 11, 2015

Dr. Nims was a great surgeon, mentor and friend. He is beloved by many patients who he cared for as if they were his family. His thoughts and ideas of treating people as individuals was much before his time. May he rest in peace, knowing that he has made a positive impact on so many lives! Blessing to Jan and the rest of his family!

Emily Eaton

November 11, 2015

Dr. Nims was a familiar name amongst my family. He was an amazing human being and a magnificent doctor. My thoughts are with Jan and his family.

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