After 34 years on the OHSU School of Medicine faculty, Kenneth Burry, MD R'74, Professor, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, has decided it’s time to retire. Dr. Burry, who previously retired from his practice in 2008, plans to do volunteer clinical work, including continued service to the department of ob/gyn.

“My focus now is to enjoy my family,” said Dr. Burry. “Families frequently get shortchanged on time by clinically active physicians, especially when they have administrative responsibilities. Golf, dancing and playing with grandchildren sounds pretty good to me now.”

Dr. Burry graduated from the University of California, Irvine, School of Medicine in l968. After serving as a physician in Vietnam he finished his residency at the University of Oregon Medical School (now OHSU) and completed a fellowship at the University of Washington. He joined the OHSU faculty in 1976.

“Among other extraordinary achievements, Ken is a nationally known pioneer in fertility treatments, an exceptionally talented educator and very successful researcher,” said Mark Richardson, MD, MBA, Dean, School of Medicine. “He has also served in important leadership positions at OHSU, and I am particularly grateful for his service to OHSU as interim chair twice.”

Dr. Burry played a central role in establishing Oregon’s first fertility clinic in 1982, the OHSU Fertility Consultants. Under his leadership, the clinic was one of the first in the nation to develop and offer extended embryo culture and one of the first West Coast programs to establish a Donor Egg program.

Dr. Burry was the Director of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility at OHSU until 2006. During this time, he recruited several new faculty members and provided a strong scientific foundation for the fertility center’s subsequent international reputation.

“It’s easy to lose sight in how far we have come with reproductive research and patient care,” said Paul Kirk, MD, Professor Emeritus, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology. “However, Ken’s leadership was largely responsible for the development and success of reproductive endocrinology and infertility. Along the way, he was also a strong supporter of a responsible and ethical approach to the ways these services developed.”

Dr. Burry was previously the President of the Pacific Coast Reproductive Society in 1997 and President of the Pacific Coast Obstetrical and Gynecological Society in 2006. He was interim Chair of the Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology from July  2000 to July 2001. He served again as interim Chair of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Director of the OHSU Center for Women’s Health from September 2008 to June 2010. His leadership and direction was crucial in guiding the department through the financial challenges of 2009.

“Our Department owes an enormous debt of gratitude to Ken,” said Aaron Caughey, MD, PhD, MPP, MPH, chair of the Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology and director of the OHSU Center for Women’s Health. “For him to come out of retirement for a six-month position that lasted two years speaks of Ken's superb commitment to the Department and Center for Women's Health. I am personally grateful for his continued guidance on departmental issues.”