For nearly half a century, Dr. R. Phillip Burns has shaped the future of surgery in Chattanooga – not just in the operating room, but in the lives of the students and residents he has mentored. The first endowed chair in the history of the UT Health Science Center College of Medicine – Chattanooga has been installed to honor the dedication, leadership, and overall excellence of Dr. R. Phillip Burns.
“Dr. Burns is an extraordinary surgeon, teacher, and leader who has left an indelible mark on the University of Tennessee Health Science Center, the Chattanooga community, the fields of medicine and surgery across our state and country, and on the lives of countless patients, students, residents, and fellow physicians," said Dr. James Haynes, dean of UTHSC College of Medicine - Chattanooga. "There is no more fitting and worthy person to honor through creation of the first endowed chair at the UTHSC College of Medicine – Chattanooga."
Dr. Burns served as the chair of the Department of Surgery at the College of Medicine – Chattanooga for 46 years and is still a practicing faculty member and professor in the surgery residency program. Dr. Burns is a previous member of the National Surgery Residency Committee, has served as president of two nationally renowned organizations: Southeastern Surgical Congress and the Southeastern Surgical Association, was appointed to serve on the Board of Trustees for Erlanger in 2019 and has been honored by the American College of Surgeons with the Distinguished Service Award at the Clinical Congress in 2019.
Whether in the operating room or out on the farm, Dr. Burns has devoted his life to investing in the next generation. Every day he is not at the hospital, he is alongside his son and current business manager, David Burns, working on the farm. Burns Farms, a family-run operation, partners with businesses across the country, as well as the Farm-to-School program, providing fresh, locally-raised foods across the nation, all while reflecting the same values Dr. Burns has instilled in his students – commitment, resilience, and care for the future.
The R. Phillip Burns Endowed Chair is not only a title, but an investment for the future of surgical training in Chattanooga. It ensures future generations of surgeons will have the mentorship, resources, and state-of-the-art tools needed to continue Dr. Burns’ legacy, said officials.
Help the R. Phillip Burns Endowed Chair initiative reach their goal to surpass $1.5 million.