Where Burn Care is a Tradition: Our History

The Burnett Burn Center, named for Gene and Barbara Burnett, opened its doors July 2, 1973. In 1981, an outpatient dressing change area was constructed, thanks to a gift from the Kansas City Power and Light Company. Since opening, the Burn Center and its staff have been dedicated to providing comprehensive care to severely burned adult and pediatric patients. Mani M. Mani, MD, former medical director, envisioned a burn center focused not simply on patient survival, but on improving the quality of a patient's life.

Now the new Burn Center is three times larger than the original facility. It provides comprehensive care with private rooms, an on-site surgical suite and outpatient clinic, waiting area, and private consultation room. In addition, the Burn Center now features the Hurlbut Recovery Pavilion, named for David Hurlbut, who realized the need for family centered care from personal experience. The pavilion was designed with patients and their families in mind by including a lounge with entertainment, kitchen facilities, children's playroom, rehabilitation room, scrub and locker rooms and a home-training bathroom. All of these amenities, in addition to the state-of-the-art equipment and excellence in burn care, distinguish the KU Medical Center Burnett Burn Center from any other in the country.

The Burnett Burn Center is one of only 127 burn centers across the country, and is the only burn center to care for both adult and pediatric burn patients in the region.

Donors

Mr. and Mrs. Gene Burnett
Gene Burnett was admitted to KU Medical Center in 1972 for a surgical procedure. During his visit, he had a chance encounter with Dr. David Robinson, who was raising money for the establishment of the Burn Center. Due to his connection with the medical field as a former medical sales person, and out of concern for others, Gene and Barbara Burnett donated the seed money for the establishment of the Burn Center.

David Hurlbut
In 1988, Mr. Hurlbut was a patient at the Burnett Burn Center for more than two months due to an on-the-job explosion in Paola, Kansas. Mr. Hurlbut was injured when a dip vat, used for coating metal pipes, exploded six feet in front of his face, showering him with molten asphalt and resulting in fourth degree burns over 25 percent of his body. He was unconscious for six weeks after the blast and underwent 27 surgeries on his torso, face, head, hands and legs. Mr. Hurlbut is a dedicated father and a vital member of his community. He enjoys fishing, working on cars, and driving on the sand dunes with his dune buggy. He is a true burn survivor...

Crediting the Burn Team with saving his life, Mr. Hurlbut wanted to give something back to the Burn Center and made a generous financial donation. This donation was instrumental in the development of the Hurlbut Recovery Pavilion.

The University of Kansas Hospital
KU Hospital generously donated the surgical suite, in addition to furnishings throughout the burn unit.

Founding Physicians

David Robinson, MD
Dr. Robinson joined the faculty of the University of Kansas Medical Center in 1942. He was a Distinguished Professor of Surgery, and served as Vice Chancellor of the Medical Center from 1974 to 1979. Before the Burn Center opened, burn patients were treated on the plastic surgery ward. Dr. Robinson had the vision and tenacity to make possible a designated area to treat burn patients with a complete team providing dedicated care.

Frank Masters, MD
Dr. Masters joined the faculty of the University of Kansas Medical Center in 1958. He was named the Chief of the Section of Plastic Surgery in 1972. In 1977, he was appointed Chairman of the Department of Surgery, a position he held until 1985. The Burn Center flourished under the support and guidance provided by Dr. Masters during his tenure. He is recognized as an expert in the field of plastic and reconstructive surgery and as a teacher and researcher.

John Hiebert, MD
Dr. Hiebert joined the faculty of the University of Kansas Medical Center in 1981 as the Chief of the Section of Plastic Surgery. He was also honored in 1981 by being named as Walter and Evan Jones Distinguished Professor of Craniofacial Surgery. In 1983, Dr. Hiebert assumed the role as Executive Director of the Burn Center. He is now in private practice in Kansas City.

Mani M. Mani, MD
Dr. Mani, a native of Kerala, India, completed his medical education at the Christian Medical College in Vellore, South India. In 1971, he completed a residency in plastic surgery at the University of Kansas Medical Center. In 1973, he became medical director of the Burnett Burn Center, where he remained for the next 20 years. Under his leadership, the Burn Center became a major referral center for burn patients in Kansas and western Missouri and is nationally recognized for its excellence in burn care. He also fostered the interdisciplinary team approach at the burn center to meet all the rehabilitative needs of burn patients.