Assistant Professor
Department
Department of Health Behavior and Clinical Sciences
Contact
University of Michigan School of Nursing
400 North Ingalls Building
Ann Arbor, MI 48109-5482
Jade Burns is accepting new PhD students.
Interests
Adolescent and young adult health
Sexual and reproductive health
Technology-driven interventions
Community-engaged research
Health equity
Dr. Jade Burns is a nurse scientist, clinician, and scholar with over 15 years of experience working with youth and young adults in clinical, community, non-profit, and academic settings. As a pediatric nurse practitioner specializing in adolescent health, family planning, and HIV/STI prevention, Dr. Burns leads innovative, community-engaged research to expand access to reproductive (e.g., HIV/STI screening, testing, condom use) and preventive health services. Her work leverages technology, including social media, mobile apps, and other digital platforms, to improve sexual health outcomes and healthcare uptake among adolescents and young adults in inner-city settings. Dr. Burns is also dedicated to advancing the nurse workforce development, and connecting youth with community health centers to promote equitable care and policy change.
Current Research Grants and Programs
NIH, National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (PI) K08MD017303 - The Use of New Media to Improve the Utilization of Health Services among Young People in a Community-Based Setting
Teaching
Dr. Burns is a recognized clinical expert in pediatric and community-based healthcare. She has mentored students across disciplines, including nursing, kinesiology, engineering, dance, business, and public health, at both undergraduate and graduate levels. She is very proud of the students at this university. She has taught both in the undergraduate and graduate programs at UMSN and is a core faculty member in the pediatric nurse practitioner program. She leverages inventive dialogue and interactive teaching methodologies to cultivate independent, critical thinkers.
Dr. Burns is committed to transparent, student-centered pedagogy that encourages learners to develop their scholarly and intellectual identities within nursing. She underscores the importance of understanding nursing’s role in advancing quality care and patient engagement.
A proponent of experiential learning, Dr. Burns integrates research and real-world insights from Detroit’s communities into her teaching. She collaborates with students and community partners to translate research findings into practice. She supports student-athletes through the Michigan Academic and Athletic Center’s MATCH program, guiding them toward healthcare careers.
Affilliations/Service
Board of Directors, March of Dimes, 2024 - presesnt
Board of Directors, Detroit Urban Research Center, 2022 - present
Board of Directors, Member at Large, NCSP - Clinical Scholars Program Alumni Association (CSPAA), 2019 - present
Member, Society of Adolescent Medicine (SAHM), 2018 - present
Member, American Public Health Association (APHA), 2017 - present
Member, Sigma Theta Tau International, Rho Chapter, 2016 - present
Member, Midwest Nursing Research Society, 2012 - present (Chair, Adolescent Research Interest Group, 2025-2026)
Member, National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners, 2009 - present
Notable Awards/Honors
University of Michigan, Dr. John Matlock Faculty Cornerstone Award, 2025
University of Michigan School of Nursing, Daisy Award, 2024
Midwest Nursing Society (MNRS) Adolescent Health Research Mid-Career Award, 2024
Society for Adolescent Health & Medicine – Racial Justice and Health Equity Award , 2022
Detroit Regional Chamber - Leadership Detroit fellow (XLI), 2020
Education
Ph.D., University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
MSN, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
BSN, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
Postdoctoral Fellowship - National Clinician Scholars Program