Karla A. Burns DNP, MS, APRN, FNP-BC, RN is a board certified nurse practitioner accredited by the American Nurse Credentialing Center. She holds a B.A. in Chemistry from College of the Holy Cross. Post-undergraduate, she served abroad in rural communities of Peru with the Jesuit Volunteer Corps. Working with impoverished persons impacted by significant health disparities inspired her to pursue a career in healthcare as a Registered Nurse (RN) and Family Nurse Practitioner obtaining a Masters of Science (MS) then Doctorate of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree at UMass Chan Medical School Tan Chingfen Graduate School of Nursing.
Karla’s clinical expertise includes having worked in rehabilitative care at Fairlawn Rehabilitation Hospital and as a clinical case manager at the Medication for Addiction Treatment Clinic at the Edward M. Kennedy Community Health Center in Worcester, MA. Karla expanded her global health expertise implementing community health worker training initiatives with the local community organizations to improve health inequities for Haitian migrant families living in sugar cane villages called Bateyes and barrios in Central Romana, Dominican Republic. Karla has mentored numerous colleagues taking on a leadership role in this work.
Karla serves as a board advisor for culturally responsible sustainable solutions with the Quispicanchi Project, a non-profit organization that supports and empowers families and organizations of indigenous and rural communities in Southern Peru. Additionally, she serves on the Executive Board for the UMass Chan Dominican Republic Health Initiative, an organization committed to advancing the health of marginalized communities in La Romana, Dominican Republic.
In addition, Karla is committed to advocating for equity in health care delivery as a member of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners. Karla has participated in health policy advocacy on Capitol Hill for quality patient outcomes with her fellow Nurse Practitioners.
Karla grew up in Vermont and loves skiing, running, mountain biking, hiking, fly-fishing, dancing, and is an avid traveler.
