Debra Burke is Senior Vice President for Patient Care and Chief Nurse at Massachusetts General Hospital and Professor of Nursing and Associate Dean, Clinical Affairs at the MGH Institute of Health Professions, School of Nursing. She has responsibility for advancing clinical practice, research, education, and community service through oversight of over 8,000 nurses, health professionals and support personnel. Dr. Burke leads a five-time Magnet designated hospital and NurseJournal has identified MGH as one of the top 15 hospitals to work as a nurse. Becker’s Hospital Review has named Debra a “CNO to know” for the blend of clinical and leadership expertise she brings to the role. As an executive leader, Dr. Burke has focused on improving care for underserved populations, specifically elders and adults with autism, through the development of programs that increase access and improve care, and she has increased the diversity of the nursing profession through academic and professional development programs and the creation of fellowships, scholarships and residencies. Dr. Burke graduated from Malden Hospital School of Nursing, earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing and Doctor of Nursing Practice degrees from Northeastern University and her Master of Business Administration from Salem State University.