Donald G. Burns

Dr. Donald G. Burns, age 88, of Middletown, Ohio, died Thursday June 28, 2018 at his residence. He was born in Hammersville, Ohio on March 23, 1930 to J. Forrest and Ella (Leonard) Burns. Donald was a member of First Presbyterian Church of Middletown where he served as an Elder, Deacon, and was on the Board of Trustees.

Dr. Burns received exposure to the possibility of a medical career early on when he worked as an orderly at Middletown Hospital during the summer after he graduated from Kings Mill High School. He helped set fractures and worked in the ER as well. He studied for two years at Miami University and completed his undergraduate degree at Wilmington College. He went on to receive his osteopathic medicine degree from Kirksville College.

After being in family practice for six years in Franklin, he decided to pursue an internal medicine residency. Soon after, he realized that an office practice was not for him - he preferred hospital consultation. He recalled that Dr. Bernard Fox suggested that he consider pulmonary medicine as a specialty. He took a two-week course in Chicago and was hooked.

At that time, pulmonary was just forming into a real specialty area, and as a result, formal medicine training was not readily available. Once again, Dr. Burns' innovative thinking enabled him to realize his goal. He decided to set up his own five-year program to educate himself on pulmonary medicine. He took courses all over the globe and when he took the American College of Chest Physicians examination, he scored in the 95th percentile.

Other accomplishments include serving as medical director of Respiratory Therapy for 31 years, and he was also medical director of the sleep lab. He started the Pulmonary Department, serving as medical director for 24 years. He served at chair of the Institutional Review Board from 1991 through 1999. In addition, he helped establish Grandview's first pulmonary medicine fellowship in 1999. Dr. Burns' hard work and dedication will long be a part of Grandview Medical Center. Donald was the first Osteopathic Physician in the United States to receive a Fellowship from the American College of Chest Physicians.

Active in his retirement, Dr. Burns enjoyed painting and writing and even wrote his autobiography for his grandchildren. He and his wife, Carol, enjoyed spending summers on Drummond Island, Michigan and visited often with their children and grandchildren.

He practiced with Grandview Hospital since 1955 and retired in 2000. He was preceded in death by his father, J. Forrest Burns, mother, Ella Elizabeth Burns. Donald is survived by his wife Carol (Dykes) Burns; two daughters, Beth (Michael) Susco, Denise (James) Johnson; nine Grandchildren, Dustin (Melinda) Vincent, Amy (Jonathan) Hamilton, Brandon Johnson, Benjamin Johnson, Christopher (Amanda) Johnson, J. Matthew Johnson, Joseph Susco, Daniel Susco, Anthony Susco; great grandchildren, Reilly, Stella, Olive, Penelope, Chloe, and Evan. Funeral services are 11:00 am Tuesday July 3, 2018 at First Presbyterian Church 2910 Central Avenue Middletown, Ohio with Rev. Michael Isaacs officiating. Burial will be in Woodside Cemetery. Visitation will be Monday from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Grandview Hospital Foundation Education Fund 405 Grand Avenue Dayton, OH 45405. Please visit www.anderson-fh.com to send an online condolence.