Director of Education and Training

Dr. Burston serves as the Director of Education and Training at SMK Medical. In this role, she leads the development and implementation of clinical education programs, compliance training, and staff development initiatives to enhance operational excellence in post-acute care settings.

With a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) and over 15 years of leadership experience, Dr. Burston specializes in MDS, RAI processes, regulatory compliance, and quality improvement. Her expertise ensures that healthcare organizations remain compliant, financially stable, and equipped with well-trained staff capable of delivering high-quality resident care.

Core Expertise:

• Clinical Education & Staff Training – Designs and delivers targeted training programs for interdisciplinary teams, ensuring compliance with CMS regulations, PDPM, OBRA, Medicaid case mix, and best practices in long-term care.
• MDS & RAI Compliance – Provides specialized education on Minimum Data Set (MDS) assessments and RAI processes, ensuring accurate documentation and maximized reimbursement for Medicare and Medicaid.
• Regulatory & Quality Improvement – Leads survey preparedness initiatives, quality assurance programs (QAPI), and compliance audits to improve clinical outcomes and reduce regulatory risks.
• Leadership Development & Operational Support – Coaches and mentors clinical leaders, MDS coordinators, and interdisciplinary teams to strengthen their skills and drive facility-wide improvements.

Education & Credentials:

• Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) – Aspen University
• Master of Science in Nursing, Education (MSN/Ed) – University of Phoenix
• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) – University of Phoenix
• Registered Nurse (RN)
• Former Quality Improvement Advisor for CMS-related healthcare initiatives
• Former Director of Corporate Compliance, overseeing regulatory adherence and risk management
• Former MDS Coordinator & Utilization Review Expert, specializing in reimbursement strategies and compliance

Dr. Burston’s leadership in education, compliance, and quality improvement ensures that SMK Medical provides high-impact training solutions that elevate staff competency, regulatory readiness, and clinical excellence across post-acute care organizations.