Education

M.S., Nursing Education, University of MS School of Nursing

B.S., Agriculture and Home Ec with and emphasis in Business, Mississippi State University, Starkville, MS

ADN, Nursing, Hinds Community College, Jackson, MS

B.S., Nursing, University of MS School of Nursing

M.S., Nursing Education, University of MS School of Nursing

DNP, Doctor of Nursing Practice, American Sentinel College of Nursing & Health Sciences at Post University

Biography

Dr. Burns is the Education and Quality Improvement Manager with Alliant Health Solutions, a quality improvement and utilization management organization contracted with the Mississippi Division of Medicaid. In her current role, she is responsible for managing staff and provider education related to the Mississippi Utilization Management program and coordinating quality improvement projects. Other responsibilities include oversight, collaboration with team members, and monitoring of all aspects of the quality review program. She serves as the primary liaison for provider communications and is responsible for coordinating all training and education to inform and support providers in the state. Prior to this role, she was the Nursing Workforce Specialist for seven years at the University of Mississippi Medical Center, Office of Nursing Excellence, where she also served as the Interim Director of that office and the Hospital Education Department for a year. Previous experience includes working in the Medical Center's bone marrow transplant unit as a staff nurse and a nurse educator. Her background includes working as a risk management consultant with a medical liability company, where she was responsible for surveying and making recommendations to physicians and medical clinics regarding medical liability risks and systems improvements. Dr. Burns’ clinical experience has primarily been in hematology/oncology and hospice care. Dr. Burns has been actively involved in professional nursing associations spanning her nursing career of nearly 30 years. Her professional achievements include serving as an elected secretary for the Mississippi Nurses Association (MNA) Board of Directors for four years, elected MNA state delegate to the American Nurses Association House of Delegates for two terms, and elected President of the University of Mississippi School of Nursing Alumni Association. She has been an active volunteer for Hope House of Hospitality (a non-profit organization which provides free housing, meals, and transportation to chronically ill patients in MS) for over 20 years; she has served as a Board member since 2016. She is a current member of the National Association of Healthcare Quality.