When Dr. Patrick Burns made the move from Pittsburgh to Wheeling, he brought with him nearly three decades of experience in foot and ankle surgery, as well as a passion for teaching the next generation of physicians. Now serving as the director of the new Podiatric Medicine and Surgery Residency at WVU Medicine, Wheeling Hospital, Dr. Burns is helping to shape the future of podiatric care while offering patients in the Ohio Valley access to advanced surgical treatments that were once only available in larger cities. His arrival marks a significant step forward in the region’s ability to provide top-tier, specialized care close to home.

As a freshman at the University of Pittsburgh, Dr. Burns already knew he wanted to pursue a career in medicine, but his interest in podiatry was sparked by an unexpected event–a traumatic motorcycle accident that shattered his foot. The event was a personal setback, but an inspiration to pursue a career in podiatry. He was fascinated by the complexity of the structures of the foot and ankle and the precision that went into repairing them.

Upon graduation, Dr. Burns completed four years of education at Dr. William M. Scholl College of Podiatric Medicine in Chicago. Then it was back to the University of Pittsburgh for a residency, followed by 18 years working for the Department of Orthopedic Surgery and the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. He was made fellowship director of the podiatric surgery division and trained over 100 graduates during that time. He expanded his skills and knowledge with a trip to Kurgan, Russia to learn a specialized surgical technique.

In 2023, Dr. Burns was approached by the WVU administration with an offer to help start a training program for the next generation of orthopedic physicians.

“I have always loved training future surgeons, I I think it keeps you at the top of your game, as residents and fellows are always up to date on what’s new,” he says.

He has been training residents and fellows for over twenty years, so balancing education and training with treating patients and performing surgeries came naturally to him.

“It also forces the program to stay academic with required lectures, meetings and educational activities to help you stay current,” says Dr. Burns.

Dr. Burns’ experience and expertise is an amazing asset to the program and the greater community seeking top-notch treatment close to home. He has been named to the Most Influential DPMs across the country twice, and has been given the Distinguished Service Award by the Pennsylvania Podiatric Medical Association for his work in education.

Dr. Burns specializes in complex foot and ankle deformities with a focus on advanced preservation techniques. He brings extensive experience in revision surgeries, fracture care, Charcot neuroarthropathy, and limb salvage procedures. Throughout his career, he has remained at the forefront of innovative surgical methods, including external fixation, ankle joint replacement, and the use of custom-designed 3D-printed implants tailored to each patient.

Trading a career at a large Pittsburgh hospital system with patients from all over the world to a smaller community system located hours away from a major city has been an exciting challenge for Dr. Burns.

Some may incorrectly assume that getting care close to home means sacrificing the quality of care and doctors. By hiring the best, world-renowned doctors, and using state of the art equipment and procedures, WVU Medicine provides medical care that rivals the best hospitals in the nation.

Advanced medical technology available at WVU Medicine, like weight-bearing CT scans and patient-specific 3D-printed surgical guides, allow surgeons like Dr. Burns to repair complex deformities and injuries that may previously have required amputation. The weight-bearing CT scans provide a more accurate depiction of the injury or deformity, which changes when bearing weight. 3D-printed implants have been particularly beneficial for the foot because of the numerous intricate bones. Instead of using a piece of cadaver bone, the 3D printing allows for the creation of an implant that is specifically modeled after the patient’s own anatomy.

By continuing his career at WVU Medicine, Dr. Burns is excited for the unique opportunity to improve the quality of life and function for those in the community, close to home.

“I think we can provide quality foot and ankle care for those here that have put off that care because they didn’t want to travel, or could not travel,” he says.

“It is clear WVU has a vision and a goal. They want to not only improve care in the community, but also strengthen the confidence in the community that they will receive the very best care here, without traveling far away,” he says.

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