By Anita Martin
 

The Burkes with a local mother and baby, whom Bill had just treated for mosquito bites.

Last spring, Bill Burke, D.O. (’88), associate professor of family medicine, and his wife, Debbie, were planning a humanitarian trip to China with Heart to Heart International. He would continue his recent work training primary care physicians and she would assist a school for the deaf and a senior center.

Then, ten days before their departure, the May 12 earthquake struck the Sichuan province, killing or injuring hundreds of thousands and leaving millions homeless. The Burkes instead set up tents for displaced families and distributed food and medical supplies. It was Bill’s third trip to China and Debbie’s first.

“It’s more devastated than I imagined,” Debbie told NPR’s Andrea Hsu during an on-site report. “But I’ve also seen that the spirit of the people is incredible.”

Bill has since returned to China, twice, to counsel physicians and health ministries on primary care practices, equipment and training standards. In July, he presented on family practice residency training at a Chinese Medical Doctor’s Association conference in Nanjing. “I’m working to assist the country’s transformation from a specialty-driven medical system to one more focused on primary care,” he says.

Burke’s efforts are supported by American Osteopathic Foundation and the American Osteopathic Association. Bill plans to bring a group of Chinese physicians to Ohio to demonstrate primary care training at OU-COM and the CORE.

Bill also notes that his and Debbie’s experience in May sparked an interest in continuing relief work. “The people were so welcoming and grateful. Because of that, we both feel that we got more out of the experience than we gave.”

Bill Burke is a family physician with Doctors Hospital, where he directs the Family Practice Residency. He previously served as president of the OU-COM Society of Alumni and Friends, an Ohio University Foundation trustee and an AOA delegate. Debbie graduated in 1985 from the Russ College of Engineering and Technology. She serves on the Ohio University Alumni Association Executive Committee and chairs the Russ College Board of Visitors.