On any given day in northern Michigan, they could be responsible for saving your life, or the life of someone you love. From oncological procedures that diagnose and remove cancerous growths to catastrophic emergencies, northern Michigan’s top surgeons have been the difference between survival and death for many local residents. But who are these local medical superstars, and what brought them to the operating rooms of Traverse City?

The Traverse City Business News (The Ticker's sister publication) sat down with 10 area surgeons to learn more about the people behind the surgical masks. One is below, but be sure to click over to the TCBN to see the rest. The issue is also packed with other features in heathcare and plenty of stories on banking and finance as part of the TCBN's wealth report. 

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The Rebuilder: Ryan S. Burke, MD, 38
Surgical specialty: Plastic and reconstructive surgery

Education: Though he’s Indiana born and bred, Burke did his undergraduate degree and his medical schooling at Michigan State University. From there, it was off to Atlanta, Georgia for a plastic and reconstructive surgery residency at Emory University School of Medicine, where Burke says he “had the privilege of working with many world-renowned plastic surgeons in both cosmetic and reconstructive surgery.” Burke has been a board-certified plastic surgeon since 2022.

My journey here: Burke’s family relocated to the Traverse City area after he graduated from high school. Even before that, he had fond memories of the area thanks to family summer vacations in northern Michigan, as well as frequent ski trips to Crystal Mountain. All those things instilled a lifelong love for the region in Burke, who says he made it his goal “to return to Traverse City after completing my medical training.” He even spent his medical school years right here in Traverse City, studying at the local campus of the MSU College of Human Medicine. It all set the stage for Burke’s return to the area just last fall, when he joined the team at Munson Healthcare’s Great Lakes Plastic Surgery and Skin Center.

Most critical surgical skill: Burke identifies versatility as his greatest strength – not to mention the best thing about the plastic surgery field. “Most people are not aware of the full scope of plastic surgery,” he explained. “The field encompasses everything from elective cosmetic procedures to complex reconstructive operations … My practice includes breast cancer reconstruction, facial and body cosmetic surgery, treatment and reconstruction of skin malignancies, post-weight loss body contouring, facial trauma management, medical brow lift and lower extremity reconstruction.”

How I’m pioneering in my role: “When I moved to Traverse City, I recognized a prevailing perception that patients needed to travel downstate to receive state-of-the-art plastic surgical care,” Burke said. “By remaining current with surgical advances, medical literature and emerging techniques, I am able to provide a high level of comprehensive plastic surgery locally. Examples of advanced procedures offered in my practice include deep plane facelift, preservation breast augmentation and direct-to-implant breast reconstruction.”

Outside of the OR: “Spending quality time with my wife and two sons, serving as an assistant hockey coach during the winter; and enjoying time on the lake during the summer,” Burke said. Burke's coaching roles come as part of the Traverse City North Stars hockey program, where he leads both the eight-and-under team and the introductory program for five-year-olds.