Dr. Burk joined Vanderbilt in 1987 to lead its GI division, serving in the role until 1998. He was also director of a National Institutes of Health-funded clinical nutrition research unit and was founding director of the Vanderbilt Center for Human Nutrition.
He was also a renowned researcher in the field of selenium biology and pathobiology. Dr. Burk recruited master clinicians, passionate educators and investigators during his time at Vanderbilt.
“He supported me whenever I needed him, and was tirelessly dedicated, generous and kind,” Ray DuBois, MD, associate provost for cancer programs at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston and a mentee of Dr. Burk, told the Reporter. “Ray touched so many lives — patients, colleagues, trainees, family and friends — changing them for the better. His passing is a great loss to us all.”
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