Kala Burnett
Kala Burnett is a dedicated healthcare professional with over 15 years of progressive experience in medical office management and practice operations. Currently serving as Practice Manager at Franciscan Health, she provides strategic oversight for behavioral health operations, ensuring efficient workflows, high-quality patient care, and effective team collaboration. Kala’s leadership is defined by her situational approach—holding her team accountable while remaining humble and compassionate—and she is committed to streamlining patient access to improve care delivery. She is a proud member of the American Medical Association and has a proven record of taking her clinics to the next level, consistently meeting and exceeding operational standards.
Kala began her healthcare career as a medical assistant, steadily advancing through roles in supervision and management. She has held positions at multiple healthcare organizations, including Community Healthcare System, Aspen Dental, Family Christian Health Center, and Aunt Martha’s Health & Wellness. Along the way, she has honed her expertise in financial analysis, staffing, policy implementation, and patient experience management, while also developing a talent for coaching and mentoring teams to achieve clinical and operational excellence.
Outside of her professional life, Kala is passionate about creativity, entrepreneurship, and family. She runs a side business, Bling Sports, where she customizes basketballs, and enjoys remodeling, interior design, and creating lasting memories with her children, family, and friends. A lover of karaoke (even if she jokes about her singing skills) and sports, she credits teamwork from athletics as a formative influence on her leadership style. Kala is currently completing her MBA in Health Care Administration at the University of Phoenix, building on a foundation of degrees in business administration and medical assisting, reflecting her lifelong commitment to learning and growth.
• National University - BBA
• American Medical Association
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to investing in people, empowering my team, and prioritizing sustainability in all that I do.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve ever received is to approach everything with integrity.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering this industry is to be patient, understand your role within the business, and be mindful of your approach, attitude, and presentation. How you carry yourself makes a lasting impression.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest challenge in behavioral health right now is managing the influx of patients, which has made timely access to care a significant concern for our department.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Honesty and integrity are the values I hold most dearly, both in my work and in my personal life.
Locations
Franciscan Health
Munster, IN 46321