In Memoriam: Remembering Dr. Linda Burnes Bolton
Dr. Linda Burnes Bolton, a pioneer of nursing care and triple Bruin alum, passed away at her Los Angeles home on Jan. 11. She was 76 years old.
Dr. Burnes Bolton received her MSN ’72, MPH ’76, and Dr.PH ’88, from UCLA. She credits her experiences at UCLA Nursing for igniting her passion for community health. Her distinguished career at Cedars-Sinai’s Department of Nursing is a testament to her commitment to improving access to health care and advancing nursing practice.
“Dr. Burnes Bolton is a true trailblazer of nursing science, education, and practice. Her work has helped shape nursing care for decades and lead to better outcomes for patients across the healthcare spectrum,” said Lin Zhan, dean & professor in the UCLA School of Nursing. “Our entire UCLA Nursing community mourns the loss of this incredible leader and will continue to carry on her legacy in the work we do.”
Throughout her more than 50 years in nursing, Dr. Burnes Bolton served as the president of several high-impact professional organizations, including the American Academy of Nursing, the National Black Nurses Association, and the American Organization of Nurse Executives Board of Directors. Professionally, she began her nursing career at Cedars-Sinai as a staff nurse in 1971, rising through the ranks to eventually become Cedars’ Chief Nursing Officer and vice president for nursing.
She had been the recipient of numerous awards, including the American Academy of Nursing’s 2022 Lifetime Legacy Award, the American Organization of Nurse Executives’ Lifetime Achievement Award, and the 2016 Professional Achievement Award from UCLA. She was also named a 2016 Living Legend by the American Academy of Nursing and was inducted into the National Academy of Medicine in 2015.
Dr. Burnes Bolton established the Dr. Linda Burnes Bolton Nursing Student Fellowship to support doctoral students who are underrepresented in nursing or work with high-need, under-resourced populations.
Flowers may be sent to Angelus Funeral Home, 3875 Crenshaw Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90037. Expressions of sympathy may be sent to Dr. Linda Burnes Bolton Family, 3637 Virginia Rd, Los Angeles, CA 90016.
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