
William Burns III, MD
Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery
Surgical Oncology
Highlights
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
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
- Johns Hopkins Outpatient Center
- 601 North Caroline Street, Floor 8, Baltimore, MD 21287
- phone: 443-997-1508
- fax: 443-769-1242
Expertise
Education
The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
Fellowship, Surgical Oncology, 2015Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
Residency, General Surgery, 2012Yale University School of Medicine
Medical Education, MD, 2004Board Certifications
Complex General Surgical Oncology
American Board of Surgery, 2016Insurance
- 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 reviewsThe 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.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 3/6/2025
Awesome
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 3/6/2025
Excellent
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 2/20/2025
Aware of my health conditions
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 1/30/2025
DR BURNS excellent DR
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 1/16/2025
Doctor Burns is the best!
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 1/16/2025
The best!He saved my life!
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 12/19/2024
Dr. Burns is always helpful and concerned
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 12/19/2024
Words can't describe him
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 12/19/2024
Dr Burns is the BEST
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed 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 starsReviewed 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 starsReviewed on 12/12/2024
10+
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed 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 starsReviewed 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 starsReviewed on 12/5/2024
I am greatly fortunate to have come under his care.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed 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 starsReviewed on 11/14/2024
Dr Burns is very wise, considerate, thoughtful and kind.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 11/7/2024
Dr. Burns always listens and gives time to ask questions.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 11/7/2024
Tremendous surgeon and human being
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 11/7/2024
Dr Burns is a very good provider and I am doing much better.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed 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 starsReviewed 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 starsReviewed on 9/12/2024
Dr. Burns is a great doctor! He listens, explains and helps me!
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed 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 starsReviewed 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 starsReviewed 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 starsReviewed 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 starsReviewed on 8/22/2024
The best in the world always [ ]
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 8/22/2024
Dr. Burns takes his time and explains things in layman's terminology. He's the best!!!
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 7/25/2024
Dr. Burns was wonderful as ever.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 7/25/2024
Dr Burns and his entire team ROCKS
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 7/25/2024
Provided vital information and spent enough time explaining treatment plans and options.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 7/18/2024
Outstanding Support.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 7/18/2024
I am alive today thanks to Dr. Burns
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 7/16/2024
JHH is the best place in the world!
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed 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 starsReviewed on 6/6/2024
Words that come to my mind Compassion humble and true To describe Dr Burns
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 5/16/2024
The best
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed 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 starsReviewed on 3/28/2024
Very easy to understand, did not rush, explained situation