Atlanta Dream Healthcare Appreciation Night 2025: Nurses to be Honored Pregame

Erica Burnham

There are great nurses—and then there are nurses like her.

In the middle of chaos, she was calm. In the face of trauma, she was skilled, swift, and full of compassion. After a devastating car accident involving a young boy, she didn’t hesitate. With steady hands, quick thinking, and a heart full of purpose, she stepped in and did what she was called to do—save a life.

Because of her actions that day, a little boy lived. Because of her, a family was spared unimaginable loss. Because of her, hope was restored in the most critical moment.

It’s no surprise that she was honored with the highest award a nurse can receive—an award reserved only for the most outstanding, selfless, and extraordinary individuals in the field. And truly, no one deserves it more.

She is the kind of nurse who shows up with not just knowledge and training, but with compassion, courage, and grace under pressure. The kind of nurse who turns tragedy into triumph.

She is a true hero in scrubs—and we are forever grateful for her.

Read her story here!

Joy King

Joy King is the definition of a modern-day nurse leader—compassionate, tenacious, and deeply committed to improving healthcare outcomes in Georgia and beyond. As a Family Nurse Practitioner, PhD student, and the current President-Elect of the Georgia Nurses Association (GNA), Joy wears many hats—and wears them all with excellence. She advocates for health equity, mentors future nurses, and continues to serve patients directly through her work with Devoted Health.

Joy was recently recognized by Georgia Trend as one of their “40 Under 40” honorees for her significant contributions to healthcare leadership, and she has spoken on national stages, including Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, where she advocated for safe staffing ratios and reducing nurse faculty shortages. She helped launch a school-based clinic in rural Georgia to address healthcare disparities, co-authored a white paper on health equity, and is often invited to speak about wellness, policy, and the evolving role of nurses in healthcare.

Her passion for the profession is infectious. Whether she’s teaching DNP students about healthcare finance or leading a yoga-infused self-care workshop for frontline nurses, Joy finds creative ways to uplift and empower those around her.

Learn more about her work here. 

Joy’s tireless dedication to her community and the profession of nursing makes her an ideal nominee for this recognition.

Erica Mills

Erica is the current President of the Georgia nurses association. She works tirelessly in this volunteer role. She shows up to many events across the state. She shares so much of herself with her community. She deserves a night of fun and recognition for all that she gives to healthcare. Erica serves as a Sr Cardiovascular renal care specialist. She drives hundreds of miles daily reaching cardiologists and nephrologists who take care of patients with heart disease. Her goal is prevent someone’s loved one from having a stroke or heart attack or from needing dialysis. 

Maddy Brown

Although it took me awhile to convince  myself to click the link- after some thought, I’d like to nominate myself! As uncomfortable as it is to write an “atta girl” for myself, it gives me an opportunity to brag on nurses as a whole! I was a Paramedic for 7 years before becoming an RN,  and it has been quite the adventure! Several years ago, I made a promise to myself that I would be who I needed as a kid growing up. I’ve had the honor of coaching a variety of sports from Varsity level Soccer to biddy league basketball (basketball is my favorite!!)- and I’ve had a BLAST! As a nurse, I can attest that kids are tough. Early in my youth, I was met with some challenges I wouldn’t have been able to defeat if it wasn’t for those coaches & leaders that stepped up for me. Balancing 12 hour shifts with 2-3 practices a week plus games was overwhelming at times to say the least, but with support from assistant coaches, team parents and supportive co workers, I’ve been able to share my love for the game with countless kids! 

In September of 2024, Hurricane Helene devastated the beautiful mountains of western North Carolina; my home! My home was not damaged, however I could not say the same for so many others. Friends, neighbors and coworkers had their homes, vehicles, farms and even family members washed away in the flood waters. My first responder/medical family was hurting. People in Appalachia take care of each other, and the days after Helene were no different. State agencies were requesting medical personnel to treat victims in tents, trailers and even in the woods. Medical professionals were needed to accompany search and rescue teams as people were pulled from rubble, and rescued from rooftops. Days were spent in “pop up” ERs in camper trailers and tents providing the only medical care available to communities who had everything washed away. Schools, Dr offices, churches, restaurants all- gone. Along with water and power.  While I had years of experience in pre hospital medicine , search and rescue and emergency room environments, nothing could have prepared me for what I saw during those times. My heart ached as I walked around an elementary school gym lined wall to wall with cots for hundreds of people who had lost everything. I spent several days at a homeless shelter that was specifically for medically complex displaced residents. People that required oxygen, insulin, wound care etc. They needed help! They lost everything. Hospitals were at max capacity. Ambulances couldn’t get to and from most places. Everyone was trying their best.  With all that being said….

This nomination isn’t just for me, it’s for all the nurses (other medical professionals too) that I met in the days and weeks after Hurricane Helene. It’s for my friend Emily, who worked with the national guard in Blackhawk helicopters. Her smile and kind demeanor made her so much more than a stethoscope and a go bag. It’s for my friends in Old Fort NC, whose entire town was washed away, yet they STILL offered a warm meal and clean clothes to the girl they had just met the day before! It’s for that tough as nails group of RNs from Yancey county who seemed to effortlessly run a clinic from a kindergarten classroom- and never complained. Sam, Victoria- just a few names I’ll not soon forget. Heroes! My heroes.

 This nomination is for my 8 year old volleyball team who asked about the kids whose school was washed away? Were they safe? Did they have toys or clothes- because if not, they would give them some of theirs! My heart was broken and glued back together half a dozen times.

This nomination is for WNC- from “hills to hollers!” 

Thanks for taking the time to read about the incredible nurses I’ve had the opportunity to serve with. While I’d be over the moon to be selected (I mean like fan girl jumping up and down over the moon!!!) I want my nurse family to know… theyre not forgotten. They are saving lives. They’re changing lives. Including mine. 

Be blessed yall! And thanks again 🏀🤩❤️