Deb Burton, PhD, RN, FAAN
Strategic Advisor

Deborah Burton, PhD, RN, FAAN, recently retired after 13 years as the first Chief Nursing Officer (CNO) and Senior Vice President (SVP) for Providence St. Joseph Health, a comprehensive, seven-state health system in the western U.S. She launched and expanded both the Providence Nursing Institute and the School of Health Professions at the University of Providence. Prior to her role as CNO, Dr. Burton served as the Regional Nursing Director for Providence's Oregon region.

Before joining Providence, Dr. Burton spent 11 years as the Director of Education for the Northwest Region of the Department of Veterans Affairs. She also served 12 years as an officer in the U.S. Army Nurse Corps. Her leadership extends to serving on and chairing the Oregon State Board of Nursing and participating on the National Council of State Boards of Nursing Board of Directors.

Dr. Burton holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Portland, and both a Master of Science and Doctor of Science in Nursing and Health Policy from Oregon Health & Science University. She was inducted into the American Academy of Nursing in 2017.

Dr. Burton’s career is marked by visionary leadership in nursing practice, workforce development, regulation, interdisciplinary clinical practice, and executive clinical leadership development. She has been instrumental in fostering innovative academic partnerships and advancing the inclusion of men and minorities in nursing. Throughout her career, Dr. Burton has received numerous awards and grants, recognizing her unwavering commitment to advancing the public health contributions of nursing. She also volunteers with governments in Oman, Kenya, Ethiopia, and Guatemala to promote professional nursing standards, health, education, and workforce development.