Leadership

James Burdick, MD: Harnessing health care wizardry

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The AMA “Members Move Medicine” series profiles a wide variety of doctors, offering a glimpse into the passions of women and men navigating new courses in American medicine.

On the move with: James F. Burdick, MD, a transplant surgeon and professor of surgery at Johns Hopkins University.

AMA member since: 1971.

What inspired me to pursue a career in medicine: Fascination with science and desire to help people.

How I move medicine: Provide my best efforts in clinical care and as a role model and help to deal with system topics important to patients and the medical profession.

Career highlights: Became involved early in the field of transplantation, past and ongoing contributions to medical science, and involvement in national ways to further transplantation and contributing to the work of the AMA; professor of surgery, Johns Hopkins; president of the United Network for Organ Sharing; director of the Division of Transplantation in the Healthcare Systems Bureau, Department of Helath and Human Services; continued laboratory work in transplant tolerance and healing involving effects of blood stem cells; board of directors of the Baltimore City Medical Society of Maryland State Medical Society; board of governors of the AMA Senior Physicians Section.

Advice I’d give to those interested in pursuing a career in medicine: Be willing to work hard, put yourself in the patient’s position and find an area that fits your abilities and satisfactions.

How I give back to the community: Working in transplant organizations, research and in the AMA

Aspect of my work that means the most: Successfully transplanting patients, and helping American medicine realize its largest potential.

My hope for the future of medicine: A system that provides access for all Americans and continues to improve year after year in its organization and technical wizardry.

Visit MembershipMovesMedicine.com to learn more about other AMA members who are relentlessly moving medicine through advocacy, education, patient care and practice innovation, and join or renew today.

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