Skip to main content.
kumc.edu
Home

Dave M. Burnett, Ph.D., RRT

David Burnett portrait
Associate Dean, Community Engagement and Workforce Initiatives, School of Health Professions

Associate Professor, Respiratory Care and Diagnostic Science

dburnett@kumc.edu

Professional Background

An associate professor, Dave Burnett, Ph.D., RRT, joined the KU faculty in 2012 and served as chair of the Department of Respiratory Care and Diagnostic Science during 2013-2023. In June 2023, Burnett was appointed associate dean for community engagement and workforce initiatives in the School of Health Professions. He previously served 2020-2023, as associate dean for faculty practice and community partnership.

Prior to his arrival at the School of Health Professions, Burnett was co-owner and director of a multidisciplinary outpatient rehabilitation center. He has more than 30 years of experience in both inpatient and outpatient pulmonary rehabilitation programs.

Academic Background

Burnett earned his doctorate in rehabilitation science from the University of Kansas in 2013. He earned his master's degree in exercise physiology from the University of Central Missouri in 2009 and a bachelor's degree in health care management from Ottawa University in 1995.

Education and Training
  • Other, Respiratory Therapy , Johnson County Community College, Overland Park, Kansas
  • BA, Health Care Management , Ottawa University , Ottawa, Kansas
  • MS, Exercise Science (Kinesiology) , University of Central Missouri , Warrensburg, Missouri
  • PhD, Rehabilitation Sciences , University of Kansas Medical Center
Professional Affiliations
  • American Association of Respiratory Care , Education/Research Committee, Member, 2012 - Present
  • Coalition of Bachelor’s and Graduate Respiratory Therapy Education, Member, 2012 - Present

Research

Overview

The overall goal of Burnett's research is to improve the rural health disparity gap. His team works toward this goal using a dual approach.

First, they study the impact of strategies to improve the health care workforce capacity in underserved rural communities. Second, Burnett and his team uses a community-based approach when creating novel interventions to increases access to pulmonary rehabilitation for people in underserved communities, especially rural areas.

Burnett’s research is funded by two separate grants from the Health Resources and Services Administration.