Mary Burton, FNP

Mary Burton’s Story

Mary was born in Davenport, Iowa, which is the only place where the Mississippi River flows from east to west. She grew up in Southern California, playing in the sun and enjoying the “stars.” After finishing high school, she moved back to Davenport to live with and help her grandparents.

While living in Southern California, Mary lived almost literally under the shadow of one of the rides at Knott’s Berry Farm; her elementary school was named after Mr. Knott. One of her high school classmates is the creator of Spongebob Squarepants, and her high school’s mascot statue was built by the Disney Imagineers!

Almost from the time she can first remember, Mary has wanted to be a nurse. It’s in her blood, as she is a third-generation nurse.

Mary chose the medical profession because she has always enjoyed giving care to others. When she was young, she cared for her animals. As she grew up, she realized that helping people was far more interesting, as she had the opportunity to comfort them at the same time. Another plus is that she enjoys solving puzzles, and healthcare is one great, big puzzle.

“The most rewarding part of practicing medicine is working with patients to find a solution to their problem, then assisting them in applying that solution to help them attain their optimal health. Teaching them about how they can safely care for themselves and for their families gives them the tools they need to drive their health care in the direction of that maintenance.”

Placing an emphasis on preventative care is important to Mary because it’s so much easier to remain healthy than to work your way back to health from an illness or injury. Being proactive in a patient’s health plan may help put off any debilitating illness, either indefinitely or for a significant amount of time, so they are able to enjoy their life for as long as possible.

“When I am able to help my patients learn about healthful choices or even about prevention of disease, I feel successful. I really enjoy having the opportunity of teaching them how they can stay as healthy as possible in a safety-conscious manner.”

If you’re coming in for help to correct past health choices, you aren’t coming in for a critique on “what you did wrong.” The past is in the past. Mary is always in the “judgment-free zone.” She tries to comfort her patients with the knowledge that she may be able to find thoughtful choices for their health. Working together, she’ll look for what fits her patient’s health goals.

Mary has always thought that being a healthcare provider is one of the best ways of being of service to the community in which she lives.

Outside the office, Mary loves spending time talking with her grandkids (she has 14 of them!!), either on a video call or playing games with them online. She travels with her spouse whenever possible to visit family in the Midwest or California. They love to golf and go whenever possible. Although she is still learning the game, she really likes to rub it in when she gets a ‘birdie’ and he doesn’t!

What Mary Wants You to Know About Her

“I’m a very patient (no pun intended) person. I am empathetic and compassionate; I truly care for each of my patients as though they were my own family members. I have always tried to emulate the doctor who took care of my entire family while growing up. Mighty big shoes to fill, but it fills my heart trying!”

Education

2017 – Master of Science – Family Nurse Practitioner, Chamberlain University

Associations

American Nurses Association
Arizona Nurses Association
New Mexico Nurses Association
American Association of Nurse Practitioners
Sigma Theta Tau International Nurses Honor Society, Phi Pi Chapter