Local Physician to be Honored as a “Legend and Leader”
The American Association for Respiratory Care will honor Dr. George Burton at its 2015 Congress in November with the prestigious “Legends and Leaders of the Profession of Respiratory Care” award. Dr. Burton, medical director for the Kettering College respiratory care program and Kettering Health Network Sleep Centers, is highly respected by colleagues nationwide for his contributions as a physician, author, educator, and speaker.
“Being named a Legend and Leader is perhaps one of the highest achievements in our profession, and Dr. Burton certainly deserves it for his distinguished 50-year career,” says Roger Rickel, a respiratory therapist who serves as administrative director of clinical services at Kettering Medical Center and Sycamore Medical Center. “In addition to his contributions as a physician and teacher, Dr. Burton is a genuine, caring person and a good friend. He is always encouraging the people around him to set high expectations and find ways to exceed them.”
Dr. Burton, a California native, joined Kettering Medical Center in 1983, where he has served in a number of leadership roles, including chief of staff. Rickel says that Dr. Burton is perhaps best known for his leadership in developing patient care protocols back in the 1980s. These protocols were eventually adopted by the American Association of Respiratory Care and have since become standard practice. They were instrumental in improving patient outcomes and enhancing the reputation of respiratory therapists within the medical profession.
Dr. Burton also has written more than 100 research papers, magazine articles, and book chapters; received numerous awards; and served in leadership positions for numerous professional societies. He was the founding president of the National Association for Medical Direction of Respiratory Care in 1978, and continues as an active member of this organization today. He was a site visitor for the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care and a commissioner on the Committee on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs.
Dr. Burton continues to see patients five days a week; at Kettering College, he serves as a guest lecturer and meets with groups of students to review patient cases. “Dr. Burton plans to retire in March, and this award is a fitting tribute to all he has contributed to our field,” says Nancy Colletti, respiratory care program director at Kettering College. “Our students will miss having the opportunity to learn from him in the classroom setting, but he is certainly leaving a legacy—not only here at Kettering Health Network, but throughout the country.”
Kettering College is a fully accredited, coeducational college that specializes in health science education. A division of Kettering Medical Center, the College is located on the KMC campus in a suburb of Dayton, Ohio, and is chartered by the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Kettering College offers certificate programs, Associate and Bachelor of Science degrees, a Master of Physician Assistant Studies degree and a Doctorate in Occupational Therapy.
The college offers a three-year bachelor’s degree program in respiratory care. Those interested in learning more are invited to attend an open house at the college on November 17. For details, visit kc.lionandpanda.com/kaps
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