Richard V. Burton, RN
USAF Pararescueman (Ret.) , Director of Nursing
Began his nursing career in 2004 as an Emergency Room Nurse at Conroe Regional Hospital. Prior to becoming a nurse, he served 22 years on active duty with The United States Air Force as a Pararescueman assigned to the Air Force Special Operations Command.
Richard holds an Associate’s Degree in Nursing from Lonestar College and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education and Development from The University of Illinois.
Richard’s background includes managing several free-standing emergency rooms where he also served as the Director of Nursing for each facility. He served as the Chief Nursing Officer at Apollo Hospital in the Woodlands Texas and has been an emergency room charge nurse in various hospitals in the Houston area.
As a Pararescueman Richard had the distinct honor to serve in the following capacity: Chief of Aircrew Standardizations and Evaluations, Flight Examiner, Aircrew Instructor, Pararescue Instructor, cadre at the Pararescue Selection and Indoctrination Course, Jumpmaster, and Pararescue Team Leader.
His accomplishments as a Pararescueman include writing the first ever career field development course. He also authored several training manuals that were used to facilitate career field upgrade training. Richard was selected to participated as a test parachutist during the initial rollout phase of the Boeing C-17 Globemaster and was hand chosen to train military members from Thailand in pararescue operations. During his military service he participated in numerous search and rescue missions and received commendations and awards to include the Meritorious Service Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal with Seven Oakleaf Clusters, he was an Honor Graduate of the Military High Glide Ratio Parachute Course, and the Commandants Award Winner from the Non-Commissioned Officers Course.
Richard continues to strive for excellence, which is evident by Elitecare receiving zero deficiencies on each state inspection and being listed as one of the highest rated ER’s in Plano. Richard is a passionate service-oriented individual who will do his best to accomplish the Elitecare mission – ensuring that every patient is seen quickly and efficiently and that care is delivered with the utmost care and compassion.
Joseph C. Burkett, MD
Medical Director
Joseph Burkett, MD is a graduate of Wayne State University of Medicine, where he also worked alongside medical leaders from various hospitals, including Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit Medical Center and Beaumont hospital. Dr. Burkett graduated with honors from University of Michigan for his understudies in Biochemistry. In addition to being a student, he taught upper level biochemistry courses in the lab, as well as completed a Chemical Engineer Internship at Du Pont. Dr. Burkett was a key contributor in research evaluating an unprecedented approach to ocular medicine, which ultimately was presented as the poster presentation for the ASBMB national conference.
Dr. Burkett’s passion for medicine has taken him many places and rivals his passion for volunteering. He served as a Clinical Professor of Internal Medicine at the University of South Carolina where he volunteered to teach medical students clinical skills, as well as advise pre-med students. Dr. Burkett also performed clinical shifts as a volunteer physician for the university’s The Free Medical Clinic. Dr. Burkett traveled to Kumasi, Ghana in 2013 where he provided care for the residents of Kumasi and taught emergency medicine at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital. Dr. Burkett has been active in International Crisis that provides care for orphanages in the poorest parts of Africa, as well as in Big Brothers Big Sisters program.
Dr. Burkett’s volunteer spirit is matched by his exemplary leadership. He has won numerous honors and awards throughout his career. Most notably, in 2013, Dr. Burkett completed a comprehensive SWAT Team Basic Training course, where he trained alongside police officers in intense SWAT situations. In 2012, Dr. Burkett eared the Tactical- EMT certification by completing an intense training course for the Counter Narcotics and Terrorism Operational Medical Support in Washington DC, designed to train medical personnel on how to best support special response teams.
It is with great pride that Dr. Burkett serves as the Medical Director for Elite Care 24 Hour Emergency Room and has enjoyed caring for the great residents of Plano.
