In Memoriam: Barbara Burns, 1941-2024

Barbara Burns, professor emeritus of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Duke University, passed away on January 28. She was 82 years old.

Dr. Burns joined the faculty of the Duke University in 1989 where she taught for over three decades before her retirement in June 2020. In addition to her teaching appointment, she held multiple leadership roles at Duke University including co-director of the psychiatric, epidemiology, and health services research program from 1989 to 1997 and director of the services effectiveness research program from 1997 to 2020. Her research focused on mental health services, specifically community-based and evidence-based treatment for youth and families.

Prior to her tenure with Duke University, Dr. Burns held various academic and administrative positions at Boston College, Harvard University, Hood College in Maryland, the University of Maryland, and Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore. She also worked part-time in private practice mental health services.

Dr. Burns received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Kentucky, her master’s degree from Columbia University in New York, and her Ph.D. from Boston College.