With more than 35 years in emergency medicine, Vera Burke serves as Director of Emergency Services at Memorial Hospital Miramar, overseeing adult and pediatric emergency services, emergency management and patient flow. Known for her calm leadership and patient-first philosophy, Burke says helping patients and families feel safe and supported during times of need continues to motivate her daily.

“Patients first and people always,” Burke said. “Our patients have to feel safe with us.”

Throughout her career, she has focused on combining high-quality care with trust and strong leadership while proudly mentoring nurses and staff members into leadership roles across the organization.

Under Burke’s leadership, Memorial Hospital Miramar’s emergency department earned recognition for excellence in patient experience by Press Ganey, and Burke recently received the hospital’s Leadership Impact Award.

“The gratitude from our patients and community is all the fuel needed,” she shared. “It makes it easy to remain committed.”