Dr. George Burke Honored for Extraordinary Service to MCV Campus

Change can be hard. 

Leading successful transitions in any corporate setting takes the kind of individual who understands that power shared is power given, that not everyone will share the same opinions but that everyone’s opinions matter. 

Enter George W. Burke III, M.D., a VCU School of Medicine alum and former MCV Foundation trustee, who, with his quiet wisdom, extensive medical experience and thoughtful, steadfast demeanor, helped with the transition of the MCV Alumni Association in 2021 from a separate nonprofit to a unified university alumni council. 

Dr. Burke was honored with the MCV Foundation’s Eugene P. Trani Award during its annual awards event June 16 at The Jefferson Hotel. Established in honor of Eugene P. Trani, Ph.D., who served as president of VCU from 1990 to 2009, this award recognizes exceptional dedication and support of the MCV Campus.

George does not waste words. He is thoughtful, and he listens before he offers his opinions.

Ellen Spong, former chair, MCV Foundation Board of Trustees

Dr. Burke joined the School of Medicine Pulmonary Division — today’s Division of Pulmonary Disease and Critical Care Medicine — as an assistant professor in 1977, then in 1979 entered private practice with Pulmonary Associates of Richmond. 

Retirement has not slowed his engagement with the MCV Campus, as he continues to teach, fundraise and volunteer within the School of Medicine Office of Admissions. 

“I learned leadership by watching Dr. Burke,” said Ellen Byrne, D.D.S., Ph.D., who met Dr. Burke through the MCV Alumni Association during a time when he deftly navigated a cultural shift in the organization’s mission and outreach. 

“Leadership isn’t always top-down, in fact, from him I learned that it’s bottom-up,” she said. “Ultimately what makes a good leader is someone who listens to everyone at the table and enables them to do their best job.”

“He’s given his time unconditionally,” she added. “Time is a commodity that we choose to give, and he has chosen to give it to us.”

Ellen Spong, a former chair of the MCV Foundation Board of Trustees, called Dr. Burke a trusted friend and colleague whose measured intuition serves him and the foundation well. 

“George does not waste words,” Spong said. “He is thoughtful, and he listens before he offers his opinions. If I ever had a challenging situation and needed to run something by a member of a committee or board to get their insight, George will be number one on my list.”

Of his involvement with the foundation, she said, “George represents extremely well the medical profession and the work that the foundation is doing.”

Pete Sowers, M.D., chairman and CEO of Patient First, has known Dr. Burke since high school. Subsequently, the two men were roommates while in medical school at MCV. 

“George has always been very interested in the well-being of others,” Dr. Sowers said. 

“He’s able to marshal others to meet challenges and get things done, and he can engage with anyone,” he said. “He’s a force to be reckoned with.” 

Jodi Smith, director of development for VCU’s Office of Medical Philanthropy and Alumni Relations, said Dr. Burke is a champion for prospective medical students and remains a steadfast supporter of scholarship fundraising for the next generation of medical professionals. 

“Dr. Burke is committed to being a servant,” she said. “He never says no, and he truly wants to make the MCV Campus a better place for all our students, our faculty and administration and our patients. He’s been the steady hand at the helm of the ship. He’s deliberate, honorable and his impact has meant so much to so many people.”