Terri L. Burton, The Burton Charitable Foundation
I established the Burton Excellence in Leadership Nursing Award to honour and encourage the qualities that I believe form the true foundation of nursing: integrity, ethical leadership, and an unwavering commitment to patients. Throughout my career, I have seen how these values not only shape exceptional nurses but also inspire teams, improve patient outcomes, and strengthen our healthcare system as a whole. This award is meant to recognize students who lead with honesty, compassion, and respect—those who consistently set an example for their peers and embody the highest ideals of our profession. By celebrating these future nurses, I hope to reinforce the importance of ethical leadership and encourage a new generation to carry these principles forward in their practice.
Please address thank you letters to Terri L. Burton c/o The Burton Charitable Foundation
Impact
This award celebrates nursing students who inspire others through honesty, compassion, and courage. Whether in the classroom, the clinic, or the community—be the nurse whose values guide every action, whose leadership lifts others, and whose care leaves a lasting mark. These are values to use every day: integrity which is your greatest leadership skill. True leadership is doing what is right even when it is hard to do and you can inspire others by your actions.