Tamera D. Cauthorne-Burnette

1961 - 2025

Tamera D. Cauthorne-Burnette

April 13, 1961 - May 11, 2025

Tamera Dianne Cauthorne-Burnette passed away on May 11, 2025. Born on April 13, 1961, in Richmond, Virginia, Tammy led a life marked by commitment, compassion, and professional excellence.

Tammy graduated from the University of Virginia in 1983 with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. She worked for the next decade in medical/ surgical/ pediatric and neonatal intensive care and trauma units at the Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, S.C., The Children's Hospital of the King's Daughters, Norfolk, Va., and Stuart Circle Hospital, Richmond, Va.

Her commitment to advancing healthcare led her to further her education, completing her Master of Science in Nursing as a family nurse practitioner from Old Dominion University in 1993 and received a graduate certificate in women's studies in 1994. Tammy focused her practice as a primary care provider in areas of underserved populations, such as a pediatric school-based clinic in Sussex, Virginia, Planned Parenthood, a certified rural health center in Montpelier, Virginia, and an urban OB-Gyn practice in Richmond which served a predominant Medicaid and Medicare population.

Tammy served as adjunct clinical faculty for Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Nursing graduate program in the areas of Family Practice and Women's and Children's Health from 1999-2009. She has also authored numerous book chapters and periodical articles as well as edited many editions of the Clinical Companion for Health Assessment and Physical Examination.

In 2012, she joined CareMore as a provider for the Chronic Disease Management Programs in Richmond, Va., advancing to becoming the Lead Nurse Practitioner for Virginia and Washington DC. Tammy also served on the CareMore Nursing Practice Council and Nurse Practitioner Excellence Committee and was known for her exceptional knowledge, clinical skill, and unwavering advocacy for patients.

From 1998 to 1999, Tammy was a fellow at the Thomas C. Sorenson Institute for Political Leadership at the University of Virginia. She has served on the Virginia Council of Nurse Practitioners, Board of Directors; President of the University of Virginia, School of Nursing Alumni Association; University of Virginia Health Sciences Council, Board of Directors; University of Virginia School of Nursing Dean's Advisory Board Member, and Virginia Nurses Political Action Committee, Board of Directors.

Outside of her professional life, Tammy was a sister of Alpha Delta Pi sorority, Zeta Xi, serving in multiple local and national advisory positions and truly emulated their motto, "We live for each other". Tammy was a lifelong equestrian and an ardent mounted foxhunter with The Caroline Hunt. Nothing brought a smile to her like hounds speaking on the line of a fox, the urgent call of the horn, and a mount ready and eager to go. She and her favorite hunt horse, Thrillogy, are reuniting in the endless fields of Heaven. Her love for animals extended to being a devoted "mom" to many over the years -- Cooper (canine) and Jackson, Echo, and Tobit (equine), have recently brought her great joy.

Tammy is survived by William N. Burnette with whom she shared 42 years of marriage. Their partnership was one of enduring mutual support and shared passions. She is also survived by her father, Robert F. Cauthorne; her mother, Lois A. Bass; and her brother, Mark D. Cumashot. She cherished her nieces and nephews and was known as Aunt Tammy to many drawn to her open and loving nature.

Tammy's legacy lives on through the many lives she touched patients, colleagues, friends, and loved ones alike. It will come as no surprise to those who knew her, Tammy has donated her remains for the advancement of medical research and education. May her memory continue to inspire and bring comfort to all who knew her.

A remembrance and celebration of her life will be scheduled soon.