Pediatrics professor recognized for innovative contributions

Ann E. Burke, professor and pediatric residency program director at the Boonshoft School of Medicine.

The Association of Pediatric Program Directors (APPD) honored a Wright State University Boonshoft School of Medicine pediatrics professor with an award that recognizes extraordinary and innovative contributions in pediatric graduate medical education.

The APPD recognized Ann E. Burke, M.D., professor and pediatric residency program director at the Wright State University Boonshoft School of Medicine, with the Walter W. Tunnessen Jr. M.D. Award for the Advancement of Pediatric Resident Education in early April at its annual spring meeting in Anaheim, California. The APPD serves pediatric programs by leading the advancement of education to ensure the health and well-being of children.

Burke has been the director of the pediatric residency program at the Boonshoft School of Medicine and Dayton Children’s Hospital for 18 years. For the past 30 years, Dayton Children’s, the United States Air Force and the Boonshoft School of Medicine have collaborated to offer the country’s only civilian/military integrated pediatric residency program.

Under Burke, who also serves as chair-elect of the American Board of Pediatrics, the pediatric residency program was one of the very first to incorporate milestones as a formal comprehensive assessment strategy. Through collaborative research efforts, she validated the efficacy of this approach, influencing revolutionary change for graduate medical education.

Her ingenuity and foresight shaped the creation of APPD’s Share Warehouse, an innovative platform for sharing ideas, tools and quality improvement resources. Her APPD presidency from 2010 to 2012 was highlighted by developing the LEAD and LEARN programs, esteemed initiatives that continue to promote academic excellence.