Sheila P. Burke, MPA, RN, FAAN of Baker Donelson has been recognized by the American Academy of Nursing for her outstanding contributions to improving health and health care.
Ms. Burke, chair of Baker Donelson's Government Relations and Public Policy Group, was the recipient of the Academy's Health Care Leader Award in recognition of her impact in shaping health policy. Created in 2008, this award recognizes an influential national leader dedicated to improving the health of the nation through contributions to organizational excellence. Ms. Burke was recognized during the Academy's virtual 2020 "Transforming Health, Driving Policy" conference held October 29-31, 2020.
Throughout her career, Ms. Burke has served in a variety of prominent leadership roles, including as Chief of Staff to former Senate Majority Leader Bob Dole, Deputy Staff Director of the Senate Finance Committee, Secretary of the Senate, Deputy Secretary and Chief Operating Officer of the Smithsonian Institution, and Executive Dean of the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University. Ms. Burke served from 2000 through 2007 as a member of the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC). Ms. Burke leveraged her expertise to help advance key legislative issues related to Medicare, Medicaid and the Maternal and Child Health programs. Over the course of her career, her dedication to placing the patient first has benefited countless lives, families and communities, inspiring a generation of nurses to pursue policy careers.
"Sheila Burke is a fierce champion whose work has resulted in a lifetime of advocacy to elevate the voice of patients and for improved health and health equity," said Academy President Eileen Sullivan-Marx, PhD, RN, FAAN. "Her illustrious career has had an incredible impact on health policies at the local, state and federal levels. We are so pleased to present her with the Health Care Leader Award."
Ms. Burke is a member of the Board of Regents of the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, the Board of Visitors of Georgetown University's School of Nursing and Health Studies, and the Board of the Commonwealth Fund. She previously served as a member of the board of directors of the Bipartisan Policy Center and as chair of the Kaiser Family Foundation Board. Ms. Burke is a Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing, National Academy of Medicine, National Academy of Sciences and National Academy of Public Administration.