Elise Bur, director of Northern Michigan University's Center for Rural Health, has been elected to the Superior Health Foundation's board of directors. She brings to the role a a vast background in health care and issues related to improving health in the Upper Peninsula.
“I view this as an opportunity to collaborate with others who are passionate and committed to understanding and addressing regional health-related needs," she said in a press release. "I look forward to strengthening and expanding Superior Health Foundation's impact in our U.P. communities."
Since becoming the inaugural director of NMU's Center for Rural Health in July 2020, Bur has worked to create and improve an integrated health care network to better serve Upper Peninsula residents. The center is also expanding access and improving the quality of essential health care services. Bur said she is hopeful that the relationships she has fostered will prove beneficial to the SHF board going forward.
“I believe the board, and in turn the Foundation, will benefit from the relationships I've developed within the healthcare and higher education industries as well as my experience in developing and implementing rural health-centered projects, services and programs,” she said. “As someone who is often viewed as thinking ‘outside of the box,' I'm excited about strategically aligning and leveraging regional and statewide efforts that are forward thinking and will contribute to improving the health and well-being of U.P. residents.”
Prior to joining Northern, Bur served six years as the administrative director for the Upper Great Lakes Family Health Center. She conducted advocacy efforts by developing and maintaining professional relationships with organizations, foundations, partnering agencies and legislators at local, state and national levels. She also helped develop, implement and sustain comprehensive marketing and outreach initiatives including media campaigns and internal and external communications.
Nominated for the Michigan Center for Rural Health's “Michigan's Rural Health Professional of the Year Award” in 2023, Bur holds a bachelor's degree in liberal studies from Suomi College—later Finlandia University—with concentrations in business communications, English and music.
With Bur's addition, there are now 14 directors on the Superior Health Foundation's board. Learn more about the organization here. Learn more about NMU's Center for Rural Health here.