Richard I. Burton ’64M (Res), MD

Dr. Richard I. Burton, inaugural Marjorie Strong Wehle Professor in Orthopaedics, has served the University of Rochester Medical Center (URMC) in multiple leadership roles spanning five decades. Under his leadership as Chair of the Department of Orthopaedics, the Orthopaedic residency program nearly doubled, several fellowships emerged, the Department became a national leader in musculoskeletal research, and its endowment increased tenfold. As Senior Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, he developed and led the School of Medicine and Dentistry’s (SMD) Conflict of Interest Advisory Group, and directed the SMD’s committees for academic appointments and promotions.

Burton received his bachelor’s degree from Amherst College and his medical degree from Harvard Medical School. After completing his surgical internship and residency at Strong Memorial Hospital, he served two years in the U.S. Air Force Strategic Air Command. Burton completed his orthopaedic residency in Harvard’s four year combined hospitals program, followed by a one-year hand surgery fellowship in NYC.

A renowned Orthopaedic surgeon with expertise in surgery of the hand and wrist, Burton developed the “Burton procedure” to successfully treat severe arthritis of the thumb, which nationally is now the gold standard therapy for this condition. He was honored as an International Pioneer of Hand Surgery by the International Federation of Societies for Surgery on the Hand in 2016. Burton has served in medical leadership at the national level including president for the American Society for Surgery of the Hand and as a Director of the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery. SMD honored Burton with the Alumni Service Award in 2012 and Special Lifetime Mentoring Award in 2014. Additionally, Burton wrote and published a book on successful leadership in 2014, titled Leading Department Excellence, Achieve the Robust Academic Health Center.

A generous philanthropist who is deeply committed to musculoskeletal education and research at URMC, Burton established the Kenneth G. Burton, MD, Annual Visiting Professorship in Pediatric Orthopaedics in 2007 to memorialize his father. SMD announced the creation of the Richard and Margaret Burton Distinguished Professorship in Orthopaedics in 2011, an endowment dedicated to support musculoskeletal research. Burton and his wife, Peggy, continue their philanthropic activity, and are members of the Wilson Society.