The Department of Internal Medicine extends its condolences to the colleagues, friends, and family of C. Patrick Burns, MD, who passed away last month at the age of 87. Burns was a member of the Division of Hematology, Oncology, and Blood and Marrow Transplantation for 35 years, serving as Division Director from 1985–1999. He received his medical degree at the University of Kansas, followed by a medicine residency at University Hospitals of Cleveland and a hematology-oncology fellowship at Case Western Reserve University. The full obituary is available here.
An excerpt:
In addition to his medical and scientific accomplishments, Pat was devoted to academic service, having served on numerous committees at the UI, chaired study sections and site visits for the NIH, served as Associate Editor for the journal Cancer Research, and consulted for the Irish Health Research Board. He also mentored countless aspiring doctors, other healthcare professionals, and scientists at all levels of training, many of whom went on to high-profile academic careers themselves.
He carried his devotion to patient care and service into retirement, spent with Jan on Hilton Head Island, SC. He joined Volunteers in Medicine (VIM), a medical clinic staffed by retired doctors and other volunteers who provide free healthcare to individuals without insurance in the Lowcountry. For 14 years, he spent one or two days per week seeing and treating patients on a pro bono basis. In addition, he served as Chairman of the VIM Medical Executive Committee, sat on the Board of Directors, and was elected as a Fellow of the VIM. He also founded the VIM medical review journal, which remains in existence today. During retirement, Pat was honored for his lifelong accomplishments when he was named a Master of the American College of Physicians and Honorary Emeritus Member of the American Society of Hematology.
Comments from colleagues:
I owe my career in general, and at Iowa in particular, to Pat Burns. When I was looking for a faculty job after completing my fellowship in 1989, my first interview was at Iowa. I considered it a “practice interview” at the time as I could not imagine moving my family to Iowa City. My mind changed during the visit after meeting Pat who impressed me as a thoughtful and congenial leader – truly a “gentleman and a scholar”. I was not disappointed after I arrived. Pat supported my early career in so many ways. He was a role model as a physician, leader, and most importantly, human being and will be missed.
– George Weiner, MD
Pat was the consummate physician-scientist-gentleman role model. He and Jan were welcoming to our young family and Pat always had a moment to exchange stories of our children. He was the hematologist you would want if you needed one and loved the scientific underpinnings of our discipline. Iowa was better because of him.
– Brian Link, MD
Pat was a leader who kept moral principles above general consensus and honesty above convenience. His interest and actions were directed towards fostering the careers of his faculty members. His advice was rarely pedestrian and most often insightful and to the point. He was one of the historical giants in Hematology and Oncology at Iowa, earning it accolades as the place that trains leaders in medicine and research. I am proud an honored to have known him.
– Raymond Hohl, MD
