Staff Spotlight – Leah Burns

What do you enjoy most about your work?

Rachel Kelly, in July, said it best, “This work blends structure with flexibility.” I work with each vice chair in a different capacity, and my responsibilities to each of them can vary, so it’s been exciting to learn how their roles and my role help the DOP as a whole.  

Also, knowing that the vice chairs (and Tiffany Edwards!) have full trust in my ability to do my job has made such a positive impact on my role. They are great!

What’s a project or accomplishment you’re especially proud of? 

Developing this role as the first administrative coordinator for the vice chair leadership team has been very rewarding.

I’m proud of my work from fall and spring when I coordinated 50+ oral and mock presentations over the span of a couple of months for trainees who had their abstracts accepted at a pediatric research conference. These mock presentations took place simultaneously in different locations across campus, so it was a lot of planning and coordinating with our trainees and the 2-3 faculty at each session, too.

After the mock presentations took place, I worked closely with the AC print shop and their marketing crew to print the trainees’ posters. This was my first time working with a lot of other senior faculty.

What motivated you to join UAMS? 

Prior to this role, I was an ACH employee working on a grant, and being part of a mission-driven organization was something I began to value in the workplace. When I saw this DOP role appear online, and I learned that it was located on the Arkansas Children’s campus, I thought I would be the perfect fit. I had the benefit of already being familiar with AC’s campus and their culture, and being able to continue to be a part of a mission-driven organization with DOP was exciting to me.

How has your role evolved since you started?

Please ask me this question around this time next year! Ha.

What’s something people might not know about your job?

I am in the unique position of not being a part of any section. Because I support vice chairs who are a part of their own respective sections, I am not directly attached to any sections.

What do you like to do outside of work? 

I am a big reader. I even have my own book-Instagram account dedicated to the books that I read throughout the year. I read 40 books last year! This year, my reading goal is 45 books.

What’s a fun fact about you that not many people know?

I love to travel. I’ve been to 24 states and six counties. I think my favorite place to visit has been Norway, where I was able to dogsled in Svalbard.

I’m also a big Taylor Swift fan. I saw her “Eras” tour twice over the span of the tour!

Do you have a favorite book, movie, or TV show right now?

I recently finished reading Lorne: The Man Who Invented Saturday Night Live, and though I wouldn’t call it a favorite, it was very interesting and took up most of my summer reading. It’s about 700 pages. Eek.

A book I would recommend to everyone, and anyone, is All You Can Ever Know by Nicole Chung.

I love comedy shows, and my arm can be twisted to watch a dark drama once in a while.

What are you excited about in your career right now?

I’m excited to see how I grow in this new role.

Any personal or professional goals you’re working on?

I am currently working on a “30 before 30” list – a personal fun bucket list of sorts. My birthday is in August. So, check back in with me next August when I turn 30 to see what I was able to accomplish. If you have any suggestions, please reach out! I would love to hear your suggestions.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?

The quality of your friends is greater than the quantity of them.

What advice would you give to someone starting in your position?

Do not be afraid to ask clarifying questions. We have all started something new before.