Dr. Burke is a board-certified primary care sports medicine physician who specializes in non-surgical treatment of orthopedic and sports medicine injuries. He has advanced training in diagnostic musculoskeletal ultrasound and ultrasound-guided procedures, such as platelet rich plasma and minimally invasive tenotomy. As a registered musculoskeletal sonographer, he performs Interventional and Diagnostic Ultrasound, PRP, and minimally invasive tenotomy. Dr. Burke completed his sports medicine fellowship at Geisinger Health, serving as a team physician for Divisions 1-3 collegiate athletics. Prior to his fellowship training, Dr. Burke served 11 years in the United States Air Force as a flight surgeon directly supporting Special Operations.

A former military dive medical officer, he has completed a wilderness medicine fellowship and has extensive experience optimizing athletes’ performance and recovery across multi-disciplinary teams. Dr. Burke has a particular interest in wrestling, football, and endurance sports but enjoys treating athletes from a variety of sports.

As a Penn State University graduate, Dr. Burke and his family have returned to Central Pennsylvania to provide unparalleled care for the local community.

• Certification of Added Qualifications in Sports Medicine, American Board of Family Physicians (CAQSM)
• Board Certified, American Board of Family Medicine
• Fellow, American Academy of Family Physicians (FAAFP)
• Fellow, Academy of Wilderness Medicine (FAWM)
• Registered Musculoskeletal Sonographer (R-MSK)

• Geisinger Sports Medicine Fellowship, 2023
• Eglin Family Medicine Residency, 2014
• Virginia College of Osteopathic Medicine, 2011
• Pennsylvania State University, 2007

• Defense Meritorious Service Medal
• Air Force Medical Service (AFMS) Physician of the Year
• Air Force Humanitarian Service Medal
• Air Force Achievement Medal, oak leaf cluster
• Air Force Commendation Medal
• Air Force Medical Service Clinical Excellence Award
• Uniformed Services Academy of Family Physicians Operational Medicine Award
• Resident Research Award
• Family Resident of the Year

• Steele D, Ballard PK, Burke R, Ferguson B. Intramuscular Tranexamic Acid Administration on the Battlefield. Case Rep Emerg Med. 2022 Oct 13;2022:9689923. doi: 10.1155/2022/9689923. PMID: 36277170; PMCID: PMC9584727.
• Barczak-Scarboro NE, Cole WR, DeFreese JD, Fredrickson BL, Kiefer AW, Bailar-Heath M, Burke RJ, DeLellis SM, Kane SF, Lynch JH, Means GE, Depenbrock PJ, Mihalik JP. Active Warfighter Mental Health Lower in Mid-Career. J Spec Oper Med. 2022 Sep 19;22(3):129-135. doi: 10.55460/I6M8-EZPL. PMID: 36122559.
• Barczak-Scarboro NE, Cole WR, DeFreese JD, Fredrickson BL, Kiefer AW, Bailar-Heath M, Burke RJ, DeLellis SM, Kane SF, Lynch JH, Means GE, Depenbrock PJ, & Mihalik JP. (2022). Active warfighter resilience: A descriptive analysis. Journal of Special Operations Medicine, 22(3), 22-28.
• Barczak-Scarboro NE, Roby PR, Kiefer AW, Bailar-Heath M, Burke RJ, DeLellis SM, Kane SF, Lynch JH, Means GE, Depenbrock PJ, & Mihalik JP. (2022). The relationship between resilience and neurophysiological stress in Special Operations Forces combat service members. European Journal of Neuroscience, 55(9-10), 2804-2812.
• Burke, RJ. “A Young Man with Pruritic, Hyperpigmented Scales on His Arm.” Consultant. 2016;56(11):1001.
• Burke, RJ. “Inspiring Change: A Patient’s Journey to Wellness.” American Family Physician. Volume 89, Number 11. June 1, 2014.
• Burke, RJ, Ott, MC. “Special Operations Training: An Atypical Presentation of Aspiration Pneumonia.” Federal Practitioner. 2014 April; 31(4):10-13.

• Burke R. “The Spot Kick Blues.” American Medical Society for Sports Medicine Annual Meeting. Phoenix, AZ. April 30, 2023.
  
  
• Burke R. “Subscapularis Tendon Pathology.” American Medical Society for Sports Medicine Annual Meeting Sports Ultrasound Case Series. Online. April 7, 2023.
  
  
• Burke R, Bailar-Heath, M. “Utilizing noninvasive neuromodulation to treat traumatic brain injury and post-concussive symptoms in Special Operations Forces.” Joint Special Operations Forces Clinical Working Group. Ft Bragg, NC. January 25, 2020.
  
  
• Burke, R. “Traumatic Brain Injury & Magnetic e-Resonance Therapy.” Pararescueman Operations Medical Advisory Board. Hurlburt AFB, FL. December 10, 2020.
  
  
• Barczak-Scarboro NE, Bailar-Heath M, Burke RJ, Cole WR, DeLellis SM, Kane SF, Means GE, Lynch JH, & Mihalik JP. (2020). A preliminary investigation into predicting mental health symptoms in United States Special Operations Command combat service members: Unexpected findings regarding mild traumatic brain injury history and resilience. 2020 Military Health System Research Symposium (MHSRS), Kissimmee, FL. (August 24-27, 2020).
  
  
• “Multidisciplinary Approach to Special Operations.” Pararescueman Medical Director Course. Queens, NY. January 5, 2018.
  
  
• “Lessons Learned from AFSOC HPO Program.” Combat Athlete Performance Medicine Conference. Colorado Spring, CO. March 25, 2017.
  
  
• “Exertional Heat Illness.” Uniformed Services Academy of Family Physicians Annual Conference. Seattle, WA. March 6, 2017.
  
  

Podcast Presentations:

• Burke, R. Presenter. “724 STG Medical.” Insight Thru Experience. Season 2, Episode 10; Jun 30, 2020.
  
• Burke, R. Presenter. “Exertional Heat Illness.” PJ MedCast. Episode 129; Aug 8, 2018.
  
• Burke, R. Presenter. “A Young Man with Pruritic, Hyperpigmented Scales on His Arm “ Consultant360. November 4, 2016.
• Burke, R. Presenter. “The Challenges of Treating the Military’s ‘Young Invicibles’” MD Edge. May 14, 2014.

Leaders in Sport (Leaders Performance Institute)

American Medical Society for Sports Medicine

American Academy of Family Physicians

Conemaugh Nason Medical Center
University Orthopedics Center Surgical Services (UOCSS)
Advanced Center for Surgery