WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the American Health Care Association/National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL), representing more than 15,000 nursing homes and other long term care facilities that provide care to approximately five million people each year, announced that Dr. Elizabeth (Liz) Burns, MD, has been named the association's chief medical officer, effective October 18, 2025. Dr. Burns has more than 25 years of experience as a physician and clinical innovator, advising policymakers and providers on modernizing and integrating the healthcare system as well as public health emergency response strategies.
“Liz will be a tremendous asset to AHCA/NCAL and the entire long term care profession,”
said Clif Porter, president and CEO of AHCA/NCAL. “She is renowned in her home state of Oregon and across the country for modernizing healthcare systems and championing high-quality care for patients. As demand for care and connectivity increases, Liz will help propel us into this new era of long term and post-acute care.”
“I’m honored to bring my clinical experience and passion for serving older adults to AHCA/NCAL, a trusted voice and a unifying force for our profession,”
Dr. Burns said. “Having seen the healthcare system from many perspectives—from the bedside to health plans, public policy, and long term care—I believe this is the moment to move from interdependence to true interconnectedness. By aligning public policy and practice across all stakeholders, we can continue to advance quality care and build a more connected, compassionate system that truly supports aging well.”
Most recently, Dr. Burns served as the chief medical officer of Avamere, a skilled nursing and senior living provider with more than 30 facilities in Oregon and Washington. In this role, she led the design of “Centers for Excellence,” a designation for the organization’s post-acute care centers that elevated the standard of care while developing an integrated medical model aligned with hospital systems and payors.
Dr. Burns was also a thought leader during the COVID-19 pandemic, helping to establish the first Emergency Health Care Center in the U.S. and serving as the sole post-acute care representative on the Oregon governor’s COVID Crisis Response Team, among other advisory roles. Previously, as the senior executive medical director at Regence BlueCross BlueShield, she helped launch the Pacific Northwest’s first post-acute value-based arrangement. Dr. Burns was also a hospitalist and quality improvement consultant across the Pacific Northwest.
She served on numerous boards and advisory groups for organizations including the Oregon Health Care Association, Lincoln Healthcare, LTC 100, and AgeRight Advantage. Dr. Burns earned her Doctor of Medicine from the University of New Mexico School of Medicine and completed residency at Oregon Health & Science University.
Dr. Burns replaces Dr. David Gifford (Giff), MD, MPH, who has served as the association’s chief medical officer for more than a decade. A board-certified geriatrician, Dr. Gifford established the association’s Quality department and founded the Center for Health Policy Evaluation in Long Term Care (CHPE). He was integral in the long term care profession’s COVID-19 response, advising policymakers and providers. Last year, Dr. Gifford received the
McKnight’s Pinnacle Industry Ally Award. In early 2026, he will transition to a part-time role supporting AHCA/NCAL’s Integrated Networks team and the CHPE.
“We are very fortunate that Giff will remain with AHCA/NCAL a little while longer before his retirement,”
continued Porter. “His leadership, medical expertise, and analytical acumen will continue to serve our members well.”