John Burke, MD, is an orthopedic surgeon specializing in cutting edge and well-established hand and wrist treatments.

Dr. Burke is a Savannah native. Raised on Wilmington Island, he was first introduced to orthopedics while sustaining an injury during football season at Savannah Christian Preparatory School. Growing up, music and athletics were very important to him (and still are). It was while undergoing treatment that he realized how mendable the musculoskeletal system can be which spurred his interest in pursuing a field where it’s possible to provide very quick results. Orthopedic surgery was where he knew he was headed. Dr. Burke went on to pursue his dream after graduating from The University of Georgia. He attended medical school at The Medical College of Georgia, Augusta.

After graduating, he began his orthopedic residency at University of Florida Health Jacksonville where he split his time in rotation at the Mayo Clinic Florida during his tenure. He quickly became interested in the challenges of the hand and wrist, inspired by the complex features while assisting with a base of thumb arthroplasty. The sheer intricacy of the many tendons, bones, and ligaments in the hand blew his mind when he saw it live and in action.

“It’s the part of our body that lets us interact with the world. Having your hands impaired is a huge challenge for anyone trying to work, hold their loved ones, or just enjoy normal life. You get to help people grab hold of their life again. It’s a wonderful specialty.”

Dr. Burke completed his residency and went on to solidify his specialization by completing his fellowship at University of Alabama at Birmingham/Andrews Sports Medicine & Orthopaedic Center.