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Dr. Renee Burke

Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon

Long before becoming an accomplished plastic surgeon in Barrington, IL, Dr. Renee Burke got her first glimpse of surgery while volunteering in an operating room. Her mom worked as a nurse and young Renee had the chance to watch a plastic surgeon at work. Recalling that transformative moment, she says “I just fell in love with it.”

That passion ultimately led Dr. Burke to establish her Barrington plastic surgery practice, where the board-certified plastic surgeon specializes in a variety of surgical procedures including cosmetic and reconstructive breast surgery, facial rejuvenation, and body contouring procedures. Her reputation for creating beautiful, natural-looking results attracts patients from throughout northwest Illinois.

Dr. Burke’s impeccable credentials and training include a plastic surgery residency at Vanderbilt University Medical Center and 2 surgical fellowships.

Treating the Whole Person

Dr. Burke’s approach to aesthetic surgery consultations involves much more than performing a physical exam. She’s interested in her patients’ motivation for wanting plastic surgery and understanding their expectations. She believes a physical exam tells only part of the story. Understanding her patients’ motivations, aesthetic goals, and what’s going on in their lives helps reveal what Dr. Burke calls “the beauty within” the person.

“Ultimately,” says Dr. Burke, “I use all of this information in creating a surgical plan that meets my patients’ expectations and makes them happier in their own skin.”

Education & Training

Dr. Burke excelled in her studies and surgical training, graduating with a bachelor’s degree in biology from the University of Michigan before earning a medical degree from Wayne State University School of Medicine in 2002. She initially pursued general surgery, completing an internship and residency at Emory University Hospital in Atlanta. During that residency she again found herself drawn to plastic surgery, a “head-to-toe” specialty that combines surgical precision with a need for aesthetic vision.

After completing her plastic surgery residency at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Dr. Burke had the rare opportunity to get advanced training in 2 yearlong surgical fellowships. She first trained under Dr. S. Anthony Wolfe, the director of plastic and reconstructive surgery at Children’s Hospital of Miami, and then completed an oculoplastic and aesthetic fellowship under Dr. Mark A. Codner.

Education

University of Michigan: Bachelor of Science in Biology, Ann Arbor, MI

Wayne State University School of Medicine: Doctor of Medicine, Detroit, MI

Internship

General Surgery: Emory University Hospital, Atlanta, GA

Residency

General Surgery: Emory University Hospital, Atlanta, GA

Plastic Surgery: Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN

Fellowships

Craniofacial Surgery: Dr. S. Anthony Wolfe, South Miami Hospital/ Children’s Hospital of Miami, Miami, FL

Oculoplastic and Aesthetic Surgery: Dr. Mark A. Codner, Atlanta, GA

Licensure

Medical License: Illinois, 2011 – present

Board Certification

American Board of Plastic Surgery: 2009 – present

A Woman’s Perspective

Dr. Burke is one of the few female plastic surgeons practicing in the Chicago metropolitan area and she has an all-female staff. That provides a unique perspective into the concerns that women have when they seek either cosmetic surgery or nonsurgical aesthetic treatments. As a mother, Dr. Burke also knows how pregnancy can change women’s bodies and leave them feeling less confident.

Living Life to its Fullest

Dr. Burke pursues her interests outside the practice with the same purpose and passion that she brings to the office each morning. She and her husband, Brady, have 2 sons, Avery and Oliver. The family’s “baby” is Maverick, a dog they rescued from the Atlanta Humane Society. Dr. Burke and her husband are active supporters of Chicago PAWS (Pets Are Worth Saving).

An avid music lover, Dr. Burke is an accomplished violinist. At the University of Michigan, she was a guest student in the School of Music.

She is a competitive athlete whose dedication to long distance running includes completing 40 marathons–including 13 Boston Marathons–and competing in multiple triathlons.