by Cindy Abole
Public Relations

College of Health Professions occupational therapist and educator Jerome (Jerry) K. Burik, 52, passed away unexpectedly Aug. 13 while on vacation in Florida.

A native of McKees Rock, Pa., Burik attended West Virginia University and transferred to MUSC's Occupational Therapy Program, graduating with a bachelor of science degree in 1982. He went on to complete his master's in occupational therapy in 1991 and continued to work professionally as an independent contractor, consultant and adjunct instructor.

Jerry Burik

A licensed occupational therapist, Burik co-founded Charleston's first private practice of occupational therapy, Therapy Resources, before returning to MUSC and working with faculty. He went on to serve as adjunct instructor in the occupational therapy program and academic fieldwork coordinator in 1999. He was an active member of the American Occupational Therapy Association and the South Carolina Occupational Therapy Association.

He participated on several advisory boards including Trident Technical College's Occupational Therapy Assistant Program. His collaboration with faculty colleagues led to funded grant work and publications in the areas of gerontology, neuro-rehabilitation and fieldwork education. He also held leadership roles in the MUSC Leadership Initiative and Creating Collaborative Care program.

In 2002, he was awarded the MUSC Health Science Foundation's Teaching Excellence Award in the Developing Teacher Category. Burik was a nominee of the Foundation's Educator-Lecturer Award numerous times and multiple winner of the Teacher of the Year Award and Developing Scholar Award within the College of Health Professions.
Monetary gifts may be made online to the Occupational Therapy Support Program under the designation drop-down box: http://tinyurl.com/9tlfrfl. Gifts also may be made to the MUSC Foundation, 18 Bee St., MSC 450,Charleston, SC 29425 or call 792–2677. Designate "OT Support Fund in memory of Jerry Burik" on the memo line of your check.


"Jerry Burik was been a key member of the occupational therapy faculty with a unique skill set in evaluation and treatment of the elderly client, especially in cognition and perception. He was a gifted communicator both on paper and verbally. He could tell a story with humor to make you laugh; he could be poignant with meaning, to the extent that he would have a whole class of students in tears. He could write beautifully with poise and elegance and was a person who was often utilized for editing written work. He was kind but pleasantly firm with students and over the last 13 years had counseled many students during clinical practice as an excellent mentor."
—Peter Bowman, Ph.D., Assistant Professor and Director of Admissions, OT and PT divisions, College of Health Professions

"This is a difficult time for us in the College of Health Professions as we grieve the loss of Jerry. He was an incredible teacher, colleague and friend. May our fond memories of Jerry, his compassion for others and incredible sense of humor, help carry us through the days and months ahead."
—Karen A. Wager, DBA, Professor and Associate Dean for Student Affairs, College of Health Professions

"Jerry was first and foremost a friend to all who had the pleasure of working with him. As the fieldwork coordinator he was the person students had contact with when they were out on clinicals. He would always be available to support them often talking to students in the evenings and on the weekends. He was a wonderful mentor to many students and a true friend and colleague to the College of Health Professions faculty. "
—Nancy E. Carson, Ph.D., OTR/L, Division of Occupational Therapy

"As a member of the MUSC Occupational Therapy 'Royal Court,' 'Prince J' will be missed. Our dear, humble Prince was compassionate, dedicated, practical, sensitive and the consummate professional – excellence was his standard. In a twist to royal protocol, it was an honor for me, Lady B, to serve as his technology 'lady-in-waiting,' as well as a fellow foodie. As the summer of 2012 comes to a close and at the end of my workdays, I no longer hear his footfalls toward my office saying, 'Lady B, it is time to go home.' I replay that scene in my mind constantly, as well as his playful yet genuine admonishment, 'Lady B, pray harder for me and our students, we need it.'"
—Hazel L. Breland, Ph.D., OTR/L, Division of Occupational Therapy

"Jerry's passion was to see 'his' occupational therapy students grow into competent, caring and compassionate clinicians who were prepared to meet the demands of today's health care environment. To that end he filled his courses with opportunities for students to interact with patients, families and clinicians. As a business owner, practicing therapist-turned-educator, he had a network of relationships within the occupational therapy community. It was a common belief that Jerry 'knew everyone!' He leveraged this network in his role as the OT fieldwork coordinator as he worked to create the just-right match between a student and clinical site. Jerry was kind, hospitable and had a keen sense of humor. He had the rare gift of making others feel special and was always able to make those around him laugh."
—Michelle L. Woodbury Ph.D., OTR/L, Assistant Professor, Division of Occupational Therapy and Center for Rehabilitation Research in Neurological Conditions