Life & Legacy of Dr. Linda Burnes Bolton, DrPH, RN, FAAN
Posted 6 days ago by Teresa Stanfill
Sharing on behalf of the ANA.
We join the American Nurses Association/California, along with colleagues and members nationwide, in mourning the loss of Dr. Linda Burnes Bolton, a visionary nursing leader, trailblazer, and advocate for healthcare equity. Dr. Burnes Bolton passed peacefully on January 11, 2025, at her home in Los Angeles, surrounded by loved ones.
Affectionately known as “LBB,” Dr. Burnes Bolton devoted more than five decades to advancing nursing practice, healthcare policy, and equity. Her unparalleled contributions to the profession have shaped the future of nursing, inspiring generations of leaders and practitioners.
As a former president of both AONL and NBNA, Dr. Burnes Bolton led with wisdom, innovation, and an unwavering commitment to excellence. Her tenure was marked by groundbreaking initiatives, including the development of the National Black Nurses’ Community Health Collaboration Model and her instrumental role in shaping the Future of Nursing: Leading Change, Advancing Health report in 2010, a pivotal milestone in modern nursing.
Her relentless advocacy for diversity and inclusion within healthcare addressed systemic inequities and brought vital care to underserved communities. Dr. Burnes Bolton’s influence extended far beyond the walls of Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, where she served as Vice President and Chief Nursing Officer for over 50 years, to communities across the nation and the globe.
Dr. Burnes Bolton’s remarkable career earned her countless accolades, including the Living Legend Award from the American Academy of Nursing and induction into the inaugural class of the NBNA Academy of Diversity Leaders in Nursing.
We extend our deepest condolences to her family, friends, and all whose lives she touched. Her legacy of leadership, compassion, and service will live on through the countless nurses and communities she inspired and empowered.