Kathryn J Burk, M.D.
Department of Emergency Medicine, Division of Internal Medicine
About Dr. Kathryn J Burk
Dr. Kathryn Burk is a provider in the MD Anderson Emergency Center and an Assistant Professor in the Department of Emergency Medicine. She is board-certified in Emergency Medicine and joined MD Anderson in 2014.
Present Title & Affiliation
Primary Appointment
Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Emergency Medicine, Division of Internal Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
Assistant Professor, Department of Emergency Medicine, Division of Internal Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
Dual/Joint/Adjunct Appointment
Clinical Assistant Professor, Emergency Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
Education & Training
Degree-Granting Education
| 2008 | University of Texas Medical School at Houston, Houston, Texas, US, MD |
| 2003 | Baylor University, Waco, Texas, US, Bachelor of Arts, BA |
Postgraduate Training
| 2008-2011 | Clinical Residency, Emergency Medicine, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York |
| 2008-2008 | Medical Humanities, UT McGovern Center for Health, Humanities, and the Human Spirit, Houston, Texas |
Licenses & Certifications
| 2017 | American Heart Association |
| 2016 | Texas Medical Board |
| 2015 | American Heart Association |
| 2014 | Drug Enforcement Agency |
| 2013 | American Board of Emergency Medicine |
Experience & Service
Faculty Academic Appointments
Assistant Professor, Emergency Medicine, Internal Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, 2014 - 2021
Other Professional Positions
Volunteer Physician and Clinical Supervisor for Medical Students, Malnutrition and Diet, Malnutrition Clinic in Cuilapa, Guatemala, Cuilapa, 2014
Volunteer Physician, Ob/Gyn; Pediatric; Health Education, Remote villages in Southern Guatemala, Nueva Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa Department, 2011
Emergency Medicine Representative, Graduate Medical Education Committee, Houston, TX, 2010 - 2011
Volunteer Physician, Earthquake Relief, Walk-in Clinic in Leogane/Petit Goave, Haiti, Leogane/Petit Goave, 2010
Volunteer, Health Assessment, Back-to-School Check, Houston, 2009
Clinical and Community Health Volunteer, Ob/gyn; pediatrics; health education, Clinic serving remote villages in Southern Guatemala, Nueva Santa Rosa, 2008 - 2014
Student Preceptee / Pharmacy Refill Scribe, Hurricane Katrina relief, George R Brown Convention Center, Houston, TX, 2005
Chapter President, American Medical Women's Association, Houston, TX, 2005 - 2006
Volunteer, Clinical and Basic Needs, Watoto Village Orphan Charity, Watoto Village, 2005
Vice President, Chi's Service Sorority, Baylor University, Waco, TX, 2002 - 2002
Volunteer, English courses, La Universidad de Guadalajara, Guadalajara, 2001
Member, Chi's Service Sorority, Baylor University, Waco, TX, 2001 - 2003
Intramural Institutional Committee Activities
Member, ACCC Readmission Reduction Committee, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2026 - Present
Member, Discharge Quality Improvement Initiative, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2026 - Present
Officer, Patient Experience, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2026 - Present
Dept Representative, GME Curriculum Subcommittee, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2025 - Present
Member, EC Transformation Committee, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2020 - 2023
Member, CREWS Champion, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2020 - 2022
Co-Chair, Wellness Initiative/Burn-Out Committee, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2019 - 2024
Extramural Institutional Committee Activities
Member, Patient Experience Committee, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2020 - Present
Member, Infection Control Committee, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2020 - Present
Chapter President, American Medical Women's Association, American Medical Women's Association, 2005 - 2006
Professional Memberships
Selected Presentations & Talks
Local Presentations
- 2025. Nutrition in Cancer. Invited. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2024. Neutropenic Fever. Invited. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2024. Consultation Communication. Invited. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2021. Difficult Discussions: Showing Up Well. Invited. Houston, TX, US.
- 2021. BIG Survey and CREWS Recommendations. Invited. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2016. Chemotherapy Induced Nausea and Vomiting. Invited. Houston, TX, US.
- 2015. Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting. Invited. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2010. Key Management of Obstetrical / Gynecologic Emergencies for EMT/Paramedics Obstetric and Gynecologic Concerns in Emergency Medicine. Visiting.
- 2009. Toxic Heart: Ingestions with Cardiotoxicity. Visiting. for Cardiology Fellows and Medical Students. Rochester, NY, US.
- 2009. Core Concepts in Anesthesia and Sedation. Visiting. for Residents. Rochester, NY, US.
- 2009. Ultrasound Review: Bedside Echo. Visiting. for Residents. Rochester, NY, US.
- 2008. Suture / Splinting lab instructor. Conference. Baylor University, US.
- 2005. Medical Humanities Retreat. Conference. Baylor University, US.
Regional Presentations
- 2023. Use of Steroids in Cancer Patients - The Mystery of Steroids. Invited. 2023 Virtual Oncologic Emergency Medicine Conference. Houston, TX, US.
- 2022. Tumor Bleeding and Management. Invited. 2022 Oncologic Emergency Medicine Conference. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2020. Breaking Bad: Difficult Conversations in the Emergency Department. Invited. 2020 Oncologic Emergency Medicine Conference. Houston, TX, US.
- 2018. Dermatologic Emergencies. Invited. 2018 Oncologic Emergency Medicine Conference.
- 2016. Dermatologic Emergencies. Invited. UT MD Anderson Cancer Center. Houston, TX, US.
Formal Peers
- 2025. Serious Illness Conversation Guide. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2012. Ethics - for Second Year Medical Students. Conference. Houston, TX, US.
- 2010. Haiti Transformed: Report from Petit Goave. Visiting, HT.
- 2009. Toxic Heart: Ingestions With Cardiotoxicity. Rochester, New York, US.
- 2009. Core Concepts in Anesthesia and Sedation. Rochester, New York, US.
- 2009. Ultrasound Review: Bedside Echo. Rochester, New York, US.
Selected Publications
Peer-Reviewed Articles
- Burk, KJ, Stroh, JJ, Larkin, K, Chaftari, P, Langabeer, DM, Menendez, JR, Woodruff, JF, Hargrave, J, Zhu, H, Long, JP, Yeung, SJ, Alagappan, K, Qdaisat, AZ. Empathy Unmasked: Patient Perception of Physician Empathy in an Oncologic Emergency Setting. Journal of Emergency Medicine 68:43-53, 2025. e-Pub 2025. PMID: 39800593.
- Escobar A, Salem AM, Dickson K, Johnson TN, Burk KJ, Bashoura L, Faiz SA. Anticoagulation and bleeding in the cancer patient. Support Care Cancer 30(10):8547-8557, 2022. e-Pub 2022. PMID: 35579752.
Review Articles
- Cruz Carreras, MT, González Landrón, F, López, N, Padrón Alcántara, L, Markides, DM, Burk, KJ, Chaftari, P. Hematologic immune-related adverse effects of immune checkpoint inhibitors. Supportive Care in Cancer 33(10), 2025. e-Pub 2025. PMID: 41055801.
- Zoghbi M, Burk KJ, Haroun E, Saade M, Carreras MTC. Immune checkpoint inhibitor-induced diarrhea and colitis: an overview. Support Care Cancer 32(10):680, 2024. e-Pub 2024. PMID: 39311981.
- Haddand S, Padron L, Zoghbi M, Jacobson K, Burk KJ, Chaftari P, Dendy S, Cruz Carreras MT. Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor-Associated Cardiotoxicity: Incidence, Diagnosis, and Management. Supportive Care in Cancer.
Abstracts
- Robinson DJ, Oakes JL, Jones N, Burk K, Kingeter A, Kaden A, Roberts M. Incidental Pneumothorax Found after Blunt Abdominal Trauma. Annals of Emergency Medicine 52(4):S144, 2008. e-Pub 2008.
Patient Reviews
CV information above last modified October 19, 2026