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Endocrinology educator focuses on future for thyroid cancer research
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Health care professionals never truly finish their education. Degrees are just milestones along the way of a lifelong learning experience. That measure holds true for endocrinologists, which is why the Endocrine Society takes time each year to give out its Outstanding Educator Award. This year’s winner is Kenneth D. Burman, MD, the chief of the division of endocrinology at MedStar Washington Hospital Center and the director of the integrated endocrine training program at Georgetown University and MedStar Washington Hospital Center in Washington, D.C.
Burman, who is also a professor of medicine at Georgetown, said he is indebted to his many students, residents and fellows who have worked so diligently and have established their own careers. He spoke with Endocrine Today about his many mentors and the past, present and future of thyroid cancer research.
What was the defining moment that led you to your field?
Burman: I was fortunate to have been exposed to excellent teachers, researchers and role models at Washington University in St. Louis (Viktor Hamburger, PhD), University of Missouri Medical School (Dr. Thomas Burns, Dr. Gordon Sharp and Dr. David Klachko) and at Washington University (Barnes Hospital) during residency (Dr. William Daughaday and Dr. Philip Cryer). They influenced and helped formulate my approach to education and research. As an endocrine staff member at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center and at MedStar Washington Hospital Center, Dr. Leonard Wartofsky has been my colleague, friend and mentor for approximately 4 decades.
What area of research in endocrinology most interests you right now and why?
Burman: The field of the molecular mechanisms underlying the progression of thyroid cancer and its application for developing newer and more specific and personalized treatment modalities.
What is the best career advice you’ve received?
Burman: The best advice I received was to simply pick a field of specific interest to you. Once you have entered the field, be diligent and compassionate in patient care, continue to read and be active academically. It is important to interact and exchange information with individuals in or related to your field of interest locally, nationally and globally.
What do you think will have the greatest influence on your field in the next 10 years?
Burman: The importance of understanding the basic genetic and environmental mechanisms involved in the initiation, progression and metastatic potential of cancers, in general, and specifically relating to thyroid cancer.