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William Burns III

William Burns III, MD

Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery

Surgical Oncology

Accepting New Patients
Online Booking
4.9 of 5 stars124 ratings, 40 reviews

Highlights

Languages

  • English

Gender

Male

Johns Hopkins Affiliations:

  • Johns Hopkins School of Medicine Faculty

About William Burns III

Primary Academic Title

Assistant Professor of Surgery

Background

William Burns, M.D., is an assistant professor of surgery at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and a surgeon within the Division of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary & Gastrointestinal Surgical Oncology at The Johns Hopkins Hospital. Prior to joining the faculty at Johns Hopkins, Dr. Burns served as an assistant professor of surgery at the University of Michigan, as well as an attending physician at the University of Michigan Health Systems and the VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System.

Dr. Burns received his medical degree from Yale University School of Medicine and was awarded a research training fellowship by the Howard Hughes Medical Institute. He completed an internship and residency in general surgery at The Johns Hopkins Hospital followed by clinical fellowship training in complex general surgical oncology at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. Additionally, he completed postgraduate research fellowships in the field of cancer immunotherapy and tumor immunology at the National Cancer Institute and the MD Anderson Cancer Center.

Dr. Burns specializes in treating patients with tumors of the pancreas and gastrointestinal tract, sarcoma and melanoma. He is trained in traditional and minimally invasive surgical techniques. Furthermore, he works closely with colleagues in medical and radiation oncology to provide comprehensive cancer care. His research focuses on immune cell-tumor cell interactions to improve outcomes in patients with pancreatic cancer, cancer immunotherapy for solid tumors, the role of lymph node surgery in the treatment of cancer, and human biospecimen analysis to guide therapy in patients with cancer.

He is a member of several professional societies, including the American College of Surgeons, Society of Surgical Oncology, Association of Academic Surgery, and Society of Immunotherapy for Cancer.

Centers and Institutes

Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Surgery

Memberships

  • American College of Surgeons,

    Candidate member (2004-2016)

    Fellow (2017-present)

  • Society of Surgical Oncology,

    Member

  • Society of Immunotherapy for Cancer,

    Member

  • Association of Academic Surgery,

    Member

Locations

  1. Johns Hopkins Outpatient Center
    • 601 North Caroline Street, Floor 8, Baltimore, MD 21287

    Expertise

    Education

    The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center

    Fellowship, Surgical Oncology, 2015

    Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

    Residency, General Surgery, 2012

    Yale University School of Medicine

    Medical Education, MD, 2004

    Board Certifications

    Complex General Surgical Oncology

    American Board of Surgery, 2016

    Insurance

    Johns Hopkins providers accept various commercial health insurance plans. However, they may not be included in all of an insurance company's plans or offerings. This may include Exchange, Medicaid, Medicare, and specific limited benefit plans. Exceptions to participation also exist based on your employer’s benefits package and the provider's location or specialty. Please contact your insurer directly to make sure your doctor is covered by your plan. For more details, please review our Insurance Information.
    Search plans
    • Aetna
    • CareFirst
    • Cigna
    • First Health
    • Geisinger Health Plan
    • HealthSmart/Accel
    • Humana
    • Johns Hopkins Health Plans
    • MultiPlan
    • Pennsylvania's Preferred Health Networks (PPHN)
    • Point Comfort Underwriters
    • Private Healthcare Systems (PHCS)
    • UnitedHealthcare
    • Veteran Affairs Community Care Network (Optum-VACCN)

    Ratings & Reviews

    4.9 out of 5

    124 ratings, 40 reviews

    The Patient Rating score is an average of all responses to physician related questions on the national CG-CAHPS Medical Practice patient experience survey through Press Ganey. Responses are measured on a scale of 1 to 5, with 5 being the best score. Comments are also gathered from our CG-CAHPS Medical Practice Survey through Press Ganey and displayed in their entirety. Patients are de-identified for confidentiality and patient privacy.

    Overall Rating by Patient
    Average provider Overall Rating by Patient rating 4.9 out of 5 stars
    Provider Listened Carefully
    Average provider Provider Listened Carefully rating 5 out of 5 stars
    Provider Explained Things Clearly
    Average provider Provider Explained Things Clearly rating 5 out of 5 stars
    Provider Knew Medical History
    Average provider Provider Knew Medical History rating 4.8 out of 5 stars
    Provider Showed Respect
    Average provider Provider Showed Respect rating 5 out of 5 stars
    Provider Spent Enough Time
    Average provider Provider Spent Enough Time rating 5 out of 5 stars
    Search reviews
      5 out of 5 stars
      Reviewed on 3/6/2025

      Awesome

      5 out of 5 stars
      Reviewed on 3/6/2025

      Excellent

      5 out of 5 stars
      Reviewed on 2/20/2025

      Aware of my health conditions

      5 out of 5 stars
      Reviewed on 1/30/2025

      DR BURNS excellent DR

      5 out of 5 stars
      Reviewed on 1/16/2025

      Doctor Burns is the best!

      5 out of 5 stars
      Reviewed on 1/16/2025

      The best!He saved my life!

      5 out of 5 stars
      Reviewed on 12/19/2024

      Dr. Burns is always helpful and concerned

      5 out of 5 stars
      Reviewed on 12/19/2024

      Words can't describe him

      5 out of 5 stars
      Reviewed on 12/19/2024

      Dr Burns is the BEST

      5 out of 5 stars
      Reviewed on 12/12/2024

      Dr Burns was great-wonderful bedside manner, personable, explained my procedure clearly, comforting, and gave me confidence to follow his recommendations.

      5 out of 5 stars
      Reviewed on 12/12/2024

      Dr. Burns is a very competent surgeon who is good at explaining what he has or will be doing.He projects competence which helps to reduce patient anxiety.

      5 out of 5 stars
      Reviewed on 12/12/2024

      10+

      5 out of 5 stars
      Reviewed on 12/12/2024

      Dr Burns is exceptional and I am very fortunate and blessed to have him as one of my Johns Hopkins' providers!

      5 out of 5 stars
      Reviewed on 12/5/2024

      Dr. Burns is the most outstanding medical professional that I have ever met. His incredible skill and knowledge in performing my highly complex Whipple Surgery made it a complete and total success. He treats me with the greatest kindness and always provides outstanding insights and advice In helping my recovery. I can never thank him and his team enough for what they have done for me on my road to good health. Thank you Johns Hopkins Medicine for employing this great man!

      5 out of 5 stars
      Reviewed on 12/5/2024

      I am greatly fortunate to have come under his care.

      5 out of 5 stars
      Reviewed on 11/14/2024

      We were very impressed with Dr Burns, his PA [staff]. We liked the fact Dr Burns was very approachable, was thorough and had studied my case before I arrived. Dr Burns came highly recommended to me.

      5 out of 5 stars
      Reviewed on 11/14/2024

      Dr Burns is very wise, considerate, thoughtful and kind.

      5 out of 5 stars
      Reviewed on 11/7/2024

      Dr. Burns always listens and gives time to ask questions.

      5 out of 5 stars
      Reviewed on 11/7/2024

      Tremendous surgeon and human being

      5 out of 5 stars
      Reviewed on 11/7/2024

      Dr Burns is a very good provider and I am doing much better.

      5 out of 5 stars
      Reviewed on 10/15/2024

      [staff] and Dr. William Burns were both excellent! Compassionate, thorough in their explanations and listened to my questions and concerns.

      5 out of 5 stars
      Reviewed on 9/19/2024

      Dr Will Burns is a very competent and kind dr. He listens to me and answers my questions concerns thoroughly. He takes plenty of time and I dont feel the appt is rushed. He explains my condition so that I understand completely. I feel he truly is concerned and very prepared w test results for the appt. He is clear when he advised my next appt timeframe.

      5 out of 5 stars
      Reviewed on 9/12/2024

      Dr. Burns is a great doctor! He listens, explains and helps me!

      5 out of 5 stars
      Reviewed on 9/12/2024

      Dr. William Burns is a thorough provider. I feel I'm in the best hands with his knowledge and care,concerns of my lesion on my pancreas. He has mine and my family's concerns at top priority. When and if I need further evaluation and treatment he expressed to me not to hesitate to return sooner than my scheduled appointment . It's very comforting to know you aren't a bother. Thank you Dr. Burns. [Patient's name]

      5 out of 5 stars
      Reviewed on 9/5/2024

      Dr Burns was excellent--explained surgical options, various procedures, follow up protocols, etc. Very understandable and personable.

      5 out of 5 stars
      Reviewed on 8/29/2024

      This was a first visit. I was a new patient for him. Dr. Burns was very knowledgeable, explained well, and listened to what I and my husband had to say. I have full confidence in his care going forward.

      5 out of 5 stars
      Reviewed on 8/22/2024

      I drive 6-8 hrs to see Dr. Burns he is always courteous and professional, he makes my wife and I feel like we're visiting a good friend.

      5 out of 5 stars
      Reviewed on 8/22/2024

      The best in the world always [ ]

      5 out of 5 stars
      Reviewed on 8/22/2024

      Dr. Burns takes his time and explains things in layman's terminology. He's the best!!!

      5 out of 5 stars
      Reviewed on 7/25/2024

      Dr. Burns was wonderful as ever.

      5 out of 5 stars
      Reviewed on 7/25/2024

      Dr Burns and his entire team ROCKS

      5 out of 5 stars
      Reviewed on 7/25/2024

      Provided vital information and spent enough time explaining treatment plans and options.

      5 out of 5 stars
      Reviewed on 7/18/2024

      Outstanding Support.

      5 out of 5 stars
      Reviewed on 7/18/2024

      I am alive today thanks to Dr. Burns

      5 out of 5 stars
      Reviewed on 7/16/2024

      JHH is the best place in the world!

      5 out of 5 stars
      Reviewed on 7/2/2024

      He was excellent. Kind, concerned, thorough and answered all my questions. Made me feel very comfortable and seemed so knowledgeable.

      5 out of 5 stars
      Reviewed on 6/6/2024

      Words that come to my mind Compassion humble and true To describe Dr Burns

      5 out of 5 stars
      Reviewed on 5/16/2024

      The best

      5 out of 5 stars
      Reviewed on 4/25/2024

      Dr. Burns was knowledgeable about my health problems, described and explained the condition, and discussed options for treatment.

      5 out of 5 stars
      Reviewed on 3/28/2024

      Very easy to understand, did not rush, explained situation