Dr. Burney chose a career in medicine because it was the natural match of his passion for biological sciences — he majored in microbiology as an undergraduate at the University of Georgia — with being a “people person.”

“I had to do something positive with all of the comments that I received from teachers growing up that I talked too much,” Dr. Burney quipped.

Dr. Burney decided to specialize in gastroenterology because of an influential mentor at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine. Dr. Antonio M. Granda was an attending physician who was passionate about gastroenterology. Dr. Granda brought his medical students to his clinic so they could see patients with him.

“He made gastroenterology interesting and exciting and this, in turn, sparked a passion in me,” Dr. Burney said.

In his spare time, Dr. Burney has coached recreational basketball and has served on the board of a soccer club. He also volunteers and is active in church. He enjoys playing the guitar , bass guitar, and golf.  He is a big college football fan. Dr. Burney has been married for more than 35 years and has three children.