Feb. 6, 2018

The OHSU School of Medicine and the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology announce with great sadness that Kenneth A. Burry, M.D. R '74, professor emeritus and former interim chair of obstetrics and gynecology, died on Friday, Jan. 26. He was 75. Dr. Burry served the institution and its clinical, research and educational missions for more than 30 years.

Dr. Burry joined the OHSU School of Medicine faculty as assistant professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology in 1976. He was promoted to associate professor in 1980, and in 1989, became full professor. Dr. Burry was head of the Division of Reproductive Endocrinology 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. Dr. Burry was unequivocally dedicated to OHSU and the School of Medicine; he twice served as interim chair of obstetrics and gynecology. He came out of retirement for his second term as interim leader, guiding the department and the Center for Women's Health during a crucial time. In 2010, after 34 years on the OHSU School of Medicine faculty, Dr. Burry officially retired.

Dr. Burry graduated from the University of California, Irvine, School of Medicine in 1968. After serving as a physician in Vietnam, he finished his residency at the University of Oregon Medical School (OHSU's precursor) and completed a fellowship at the University of Washington. Dr. Burry was the president of the Pacific Coast Reproductive Society in 1997 and president of the Pacific Coast Obstetrical and Gynecological Society in 2006.

He was a nationally known pioneer in fertility treatments, an exceptional educator and a successful researcher. 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.

Read Dr. Burry's obituary and sign the guest book on Oregonlive/The Oregonian's website. Donations in Dr. Burry's honor may be made to the OB/GYN Education Fund via the OHSU Foundation at onwardohsu.org.