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Honoring Dr. Linda Burnes Bolton for Her Distinction in the Field of Nursing

August 4, 2009
Floor Statement

Rep. Maxine Waters [D-CA]: Madam Speaker, I rise proudly to extend my congratulations to an extraordinary individual--a resident of Los Angeles, California, who in mid-April will become the first African American in the United States to receive the American Organization of Nurse Executive's lifetime achievement award.

Linda Burnes Bolton, DrPH, RN, FAAN, is Vice President and Chief Nursing Officer at Cedars Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles. Dr. Burnes Bolton is a trailblazing nurse leader who has spent her career championing and implementing high quality healthcare for all patients. Dr. Bolton's energy level and commitment to transforming healthcare through nursing solutions are legendary.

Not only has Dr. Burnes Bolton studied and written about disparities in care but through her many decades of visionary work on behalf of patients, Dr. Burnes Bolton has contributed to a multitude of improvement initiatives, including health literacy, reductions in medication errors, as well as studying the healthcare system to overcome nursing workforce challenges.

A past president of the National Black Nurses Association, Dr. Burnes Bolton currently serves as the President of the American Academy of Nursing. Through the academy, Dr. Burnes Bolton and her board, along with their distinguished advisory council have just launched their "Raise The Voice" campaign to recognize the contributions nurses have made and continue to make in transforming health care.

Today I stand before you to recognize the contributions made by Dr. Linda Burnes Bolton, an extraordinary leader in the field of nursing. 

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