2012 Five Under Ten Award
Jade A. Burns, '03, '06
Jade A. (Curry) Burns has baccalaureate degrees in both biology (2003) and nursing (2006), cum laude, from the University of Michigan as well as a graduate degree in nursing from the University Pennsylvania. Currently she is a PhD student in the School of Nursing. Her research interest includes African American parent-adolescent sex communication among African American adolescent males and their fathers. Jade has 8 years plus experience working with children and youth ages 0-21 in a variety of clinical and academic settings. She decided to pursue a career in nursing because she wanted to work closely with patients and their families. In addition, she wanted to educate and advocate for underserved communities to promote good health and to ensure they receive quality healthcare and programs that are designed to suit their specific needs.
As a PhD student she seeks to combine her nursing knowledge and clinical expertise to design creative interventions and programs using technology (such as mobile apps) for adolescents to reduce risky sexual behavior that will be used in clinics and schools in the near future.
Jade has served the city of Detroit and a variety of communities in many capacities that include working as a staff nurse for 5 years at Henry Ford Hospital in the emergency room (Level I Trauma), in downtown Detroit, as well as, serving as cheer coach to African American female adolescent youth who have never been exposed to competitive cheer in urban areas (Romulus, Inkster, and Oak Park schools). She now continues to work for the city part-time at a non-profit organization as a pediatric nurse practitioner, serving as a primary health care provider for youth ages 0-21. Her specialty includes adolescent healthcare and family planning services. Beyond providing care, as a nurse practitioner she has helped to plan health fairs and implement the “Reach out and Read” a program to promote literacy to develop critical early reading skills beginning at age 6 months.
Jade is also active in many nursing and non-nursing organizations. In particularly she is a member of the SEXPERTEAM, a diverse group of University of Michigan students who educate campus communities about various aspects of sexuality through theater, games, and other activities.