News
New Dean Comes To College of Osteopathic Medicine
By: Megan Moseley
Posted on:
The Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine announced the appointment of William J. Burke, D.O., FACOFP, as dean of the college's new central Ohio campus in Dublin. He will start on July 22.
Dr. Burke was quoted in a press release describing his excitment to work with the university.
"Ohio University has held a special place in my heart for nearly 30 years," said Dr. Burke. "The opportunity to work collaboratively with our faculty and staff, OhioHealth and other important central Ohio health systems, our alumni, the Dublin community and physicians throughout the region is truly a unique opportunity to build something of enduring value for Ohio. It's an honor to be a part of this."
According to the release, Dr. Burke is a 1988 graduate of the Heritage College. He is currently the vice president for medical education at OhioHealth Doctors Hospital in Columbus. OhioHealth is the Preeminent Education Partner for the Heritage College's central Ohio campus.
Construction of the Dublin campus begins in July 2013, and the charter class of 50 medical students will begin classes in July 2014. The campus is being developed on 14.8 acres of land and will initially occupy 65,000 square feet across three buildings. Students at the campus, who are being recruited now, will complete all four years of medical school in central Ohio.
According to the press release, Dr. Burke has served in many elected and appointed leadership roles for national and state organizations. He currently serves on the American Osteopathic Association (AOA) Board of Trustees and is past president of the Ohio chapter of the American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians. Over the years, he has been an advocate for both the Heritage College and Ohio University. He was twice a trustee of the Ohio University Foundation and a director on the Ohio University Alumni Board of Directors, including two years as chair. He served as president of the College's Society of Alumni and Friends and chaired the Heritage College Advisory Board for five years.
Dr. Burke is board-certified in family medicine and osteopathic manipulative medicine. He is a clinical professor of family medicine. Dr. Burke serves as a key member of an AOA team that has been working with health professionals in China to assist the country's transformation from a specialty-driven medical system to one more focused on primary care. The release says Dr. Burke has traveled there in this capacity on 12 occasions in the past seven years, including in the spring of 2008, just 10 days after an earthquake struck Sichuan province, killing and injuring thousands and leaving millions homeless. Dr. Burke and his wife, Deborah, assisted displaced families and distributed food and medical supplies to those in need.