Biography
Biography
Dr. Duncan Burkholder has delivered hundreds of babies in his over 30 years of providing Obstetrics and Gynecology services to the women of the West Texas region.
Dr. Burkholder was born and raised in Pecos, TX. He is a graduate of the New Mexico Military Institute and Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center. Before attending medical school, Dr. Burkholder joined the U.S. Army, serving three years as an Artillery Officer with the 101st Airborne Division. He later graduated from the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston before returning to Lubbock to complete his OB/GYN residency. Dr. Burkholder is board-certified by the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology.
Dr. Burkholder says he’s always wanted to be a doctor, and enjoyed science. But he started medical school thinking he wanted to be an orthopedic surgeon, “because they have cool tools. They have drills and saws and hammers and nails and they do cool surgery. But specializing in OB/GYN, for me, was the sort of the perfect match to my personality because it has the emergencies, surgeries, it has a routine and there’s the happy world of delivering babies.”
“It’s not a perfect world and things can go wrong and not all babies are perfect, but if you back off and look at the big picture, it is a glorious event, and we shouldn’t take it for granted. I think it is a blessing to be able to have children, and I think it is a blessing for me to be involved in helping people have safe deliveries.”
Grace Clinic® started with eight doctors on staff, including Dr. Burkholder. “The growth of Grace Clinic® has been phenomenal and exponential, and I love the fact that we are all together. I value that interaction with my colleagues of all specialties. I just hope most of all, as Grace grows, we are able to continue the camaraderie and we don’t get so big that we lose that oneness that I believe has lead to our success.”
In addition to his busy medical practice, Dr. Burkholder also serves at the Medical Director of the Parkridge Pregnancy Center in Lubbock. It was started more than 20 years ago as a crisis pregnancy center. “Over the years it has evolved from simple counseling to medical care. The care we provide includes testing for sexually transmitted diseases but more specifically and more importantly sonograms of early pregnancies, so women can have information that is accurate, reliable, quality medical information that will help them make a decision.” The center’s budget comes from donations, and the services are free.
Dr. Burkholder receives consistent high praise from his patients for his kindness and caring attitude. Patients appreciate his thoroughness, many saying he takes all the time necessary to answer questions, present and discuss options, and ease concerns.
Dr. Burkholder is a recent recipient of a Five-Star Rating for Gynecologic Surgery from HealthGrades, a leading provider of outcomes information in health care.
“A qualified surgeon, one who does a high volume of gynecologic procedures each year, has a level of training, experience, and focus to deliver not only appropriate surgical options but to meet the patient’s individual needs.”
Dr. Burkholder believes choosing an experienced gynecological surgeon can minimize risks and will ultimately lead to a higher level of patient satisfaction. He encourages women to exercise their right of patient choice, recommending they communicate any specific concerns they might have and ask questions about both the medical and hormonal treatment options available.
Dr. Burkholder says, “Trust is paramount. Your surgeon should offer options and solutions, but ultimately it is the patient who chooses the therapy. Seeking out a gynecological specialist, one with a proven track record of positive outcomes can greatly improve the patient’s experience.”
Certifications
American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Obstetrics and Gynecology