Dr. Nakeitra L. Burse, is the Founder and Executive Director of Six Dimensions, a Mississippi-based nonprofit dedicated to improving maternal health outcomes. Dr. Burse has been a servant in the field of public health for over fifteen years. She earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Biological Sciences and Master’s in Health Education Health Promotion, both from Mississippi State University. She also holds a doctorate in Public Health from Jackson State University.
Dr. Burse is dedicated to understanding the impact of systems on the health of communities. Her work is centered around health equity and social justice issues and improving maternal health outcomes for Black women. She has been a vocal advocate for polices in Mississippi to improve health outcomes including Medicaid Expansion and Postpartum Extension. She also serves on the MS Maternal Mortality Review Committee, which reviews all the maternal deaths in the state to better understand the maternal health crisis. Dr. Burse has experience in a variety of sectors including nonprofit, private, academia and government.
As the Executive Director of Six Dimensions, she leads a team of maternal health advocates in designing and implementing innovative strategies to improve maternal health outcomes, specifically for Black women. Six Dimensions’ work falls in four (4) primary areas: 1) Research; 2) Training & Development; 3) Outreach; and 4) Advocacy.
Dr. Burse is the Executive Producer of the short documentary, Laboring with Hope. The film highlights the issues of maternal morbidity and mortality among Black women. Laboring with Hope is being used as a call to action to implement, support, and uplift strategies that aim to improve maternal health and birth outcomes. This work has been featured in a variety of settings, including Soledad O’Brien’s Disrupt and Dismantle series on BET, the Kelly Clarkson Show, the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, and other local and national media outlets.
Dr. Burse has served on several local and national boards and advisory councils relative to public health and maternal health. Most notable roles include being appointed as Equity Advisor for the National Council of Negro Women, by President Dr. Johnetta B. Cole; serving on the MS Maternal Mortality Committee; previously serving on the Board of Directors for Mallory Community Health Center; and serving on the Advisory Council for Communities Improving Maternal Health Alliance through the Department of Health and Human Services. Additionally, she is an accomplished and requested speaker for local and national conferences on topics focused on health and racial equity in maternal care; systemic racism in maternal health; and the impact of historical events on the current maternal health crisis.
Dr. Burse has received several awards for her work and dedication to the maternal health crisis. Most recent recognition includes:
Outside of her professional work, Dr. Burse is involved in community activities and organizations. She has served in multiple leadership roles with the Madison County (MS) Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta, Sorority, Inc; she also serves as one of the youth leaders at St. Peter M.B. Church in Jackson, MS. Additionally, she is a proud member of the Jackson, MS Chapter of Jack and Jill of America. Dr. Burse’s most rewarding work is raising her two boys, Chandler and Cooper, alongside her husband, Dr. Creston Burse. She enjoys traveling, attending sporting events with her family, and being a baseball mom.
