by Bill Snyder
Raymond Burk Jr., MD, former director of the Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition in the Department of Medicine at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, died May 1 in Nashville. He was 80.
Dr. Burk’s recruitment of “master clinicians, passionate educators and world-class investigators” in gastroenterology, nutrition and hepatology (diseases of the liver, pancreas and gall bladder) raised the division’s prominence, said long-time colleague and current division director Richard Peek Jr., MD, who holds the Mina Cobb Wallace Chair in Immunology.
“Ray Burk was likely best known for his integrity, humility, compassion, sage insight, and vision,” Peek said. “He advocated tirelessly for everyone in his division and helped train scores of fellows who have become leaders in every facet of clinical and academic gastroenterology and hepatology.”
“He was a superb physician-scientist, mentor to many, and always a gentleman,” said David Raiford, MD, professor of Medicine and Chief of the Clinical Staff. “He unfailingly modeled integrity, intellectual rigor, and kindness, having an unsurpassed interest in helping others excel.”