October 24, 2013
City News Service
Linda Burnes Bolton, DrPH, RN, vice president for nursing, chief nursing officer and director of Nursing Research at Cedars Sinai, has been voted the 2014 president-elect of the American Organization of Nurse Executives Board of Directors. The 8,700-member organization is a widely respected voice in nursing and healthcare issues.
Burnes Bolton oversees 2,800 nurses at Cedars-Sinai. Under her leadership as director of Nursing Research, the best evidenced-based clinical care is developed and provided for patients, focusing on improved outcomes and safety.
The American Organization of Nurse Executives awarded Burnes Bolton the prestigious Lifetime Achievement award in 2007 for her extraordinary service and leadership in the nursing profession. She is recognized nationally for designing innovative programs that provide quality patient care and improve access to healthcare for all communities. Burnes Bolton was recently honored with the 2013 Excellence in Leadership Award from the Betty Irene Moore School of Nursing at the University of California, Davis.
“Linda Burnes Bolton's leadership has had an extraordinary impact on healthcare, not just at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center but throughout the nation," said Thomas M. Priselac, president and CEO of Cedars-Sinai. "Her innovative approaches to patient-centered care, nursing education and community health education have significantly improved the lives of millions of people. She is a steadfast advocate for the important role that nurses have in quality healthcare."
Burnes Bolton has been a member of the American Organization of Nurse Executives for 33 years, including service on its board of directors. “Linda brings a wealth of leadership, respect and personal dynamism not only to the nursing profession but to all aspects of the health care profession she has touched throughout her amazing career,” said Michelle Janney, PhD, RN, NEA-BC, the current president of the nursing executives’ organization.
Burnes Bolton says she is honored by the leadership opportunity, particularly because it comes during the early days of implementing the Affordable Care Act. “The nursing profession plays a critical role in achieving our country’s vision of an effective, affordable health care system that is accessible and responsive to all. Nurses are on the frontlines of healthcare reform, with a special opportunity to make an important difference.”
Burnes Bolton served as vice chair of the Institute of Medicine Commission’s report on the Future of Nursing and has been named one of the top 25 women in healthcare by Modern Healthcare magazine.
She received her Bachelor of Science degree in nursing from Arizona State University and master’s degrees in nursing and public health, and a doctorate in public health, from UCLA.
Burnes Bolton is an associate clinical professor at the University of California, San Francisco, School of Nursing and the UCLA School of Nursing. Burnes Bolton is a past president of the American Academy of Nursing and the National Black Nurses Association.