The North American Veterinary Community, the profession’s largest publisher, on May 9 announced the hiring of Kara M. Burns, MS, MEd, LVT, VTS (Nutrition), VTS-H (Internal Medicine, Dentistry), as editor-in-chief of the peer-reviewed journal Today’s Veterinary Nurse and director of veterinary nursing for NAVC Publishing.
Burns currently serves as president of the National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America, an organization leading the charge on the Veterinary Nurse Initiative, which aims to standardize credentials for the profession. She has a background in physiology, counseling psychology and is a renowned author, speaker and veterinary leader, both nationally and internationally.
“Kara’s passion and experience, as well as her alignment with the Veterinary Nurse Initiative, make her a perfect fit to develop new platforms and experiences for the veterinary team as the NAVC expands its support for veterinary nursing,” said Tom Bohn, NAVC’s CEO.
In addition to her role as editor-in-chief, Burns will serve as NAVC Publishing’s director of veterinary nursing, infusing her energy and insight to the NAVC’s expanding commitment and support for veterinary nurses.
“I am excited to build on the passion surrounding the NAVC brand,” she said. “The NAVC has been a strong supporter of the veterinary health care team as a whole and veterinary nursing specifically. This new position will take the support to an all-new level.”
Within her new role, Burns looks forward to elevating the importance of the veterinary nurse as an integral member of the health care team across the community.
“Together we can further the mission of providing world-class continuing professional development and support services for the global veterinary health care community,” she said.
Burns has a master’s degree in physiology as well as in counseling psychology. She is a member of many national, international and state associations and holds positions on many boards in the profession including:
- American Academy of Veterinary Nutrition executive board technician liaison
- Lesbian and Gay Veterinary Medical Association board treasurer
- International Society for Sports Nutrition
- Pet Nutrition Alliance executive board
She has authored many articles, textbooks and textbook chapters and is an internationally invited speaker, focusing on topics of nutrition, leadership, and technician/nurse utilization.
When she’s not working, Burns and her wife, Ellen Lowery, DVM, Ph.D., MBA, enjoy spending time with their three children and their pet family, which includes a French bulldog, a mini Aussie/border collie cross, six birds and five indoor cats.
Founding editor-in-chief Lynne Johnson, a NAVC past president who led the transition of the journal from Today’s Veterinary Technician to Today’s Veterinary Nurse, will stay on as editor emeritus through the remaining 2018 issues. She is looking forward to her retirement with her husband, Jerry Harris, DVM.