Dublin Chamber names Dr. William Burke Spotlight Dublin honoree

Dr. William Burke, dean of Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine's Dublin campus, will receive the 2026 Spotlight Dublin Award from the Dublin Chamber of Commerce.

The Chamber will present the award at its annual Recognition Luncheon on Friday, Dec. 11, at the Muirfield Village Golf Club Pavilion, according to a Chamber announcement. The event runs from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at 5750 Memorial Drive.

The Spotlight Dublin Award recognizes individuals, organizations or things that have brought positive national or international attention to Dublin, according to the Chamber's awards page. Burke joins a list that includes Jack Nicklaus (1985), Bobby Rahal (1985), Jack Hanna (1986) and Dave Thomas (1988). The 2025 award went to the Memorial Tournament presented by Workday, its volunteers and staff.

Burke has led the Heritage College's Dublin campus since 2013.

He was appointed dean of the then-new central Ohio campus that year after serving as vice president for medical education at OhioHealth Doctors Hospital in Columbus, WOUB Public Media reported in June 2013. He is a 1988 graduate of the Heritage College.

In that 2013 coverage, Burke said the role offered "truly a unique opportunity to build something of enduring value for Ohio," describing the chance to work with faculty, health systems, alumni and the Dublin community.

The Dublin campus opened in 2014 with OhioHealth as its education partner. It celebrated its 10th anniversary in August 2024. The Heritage College, with campuses in Athens, Cleveland and Dublin, is the largest medical school in Ohio. The Dublin campus enrolled 277 students in the 2024–2025 academic year, according to the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine.

Students and faculty at the Dublin campus have been active in the community, hosting programs like the Dublin Medical Academy. That program gives central Ohio high school juniors and seniors a free experience exploring medical and health professions, according to the city's economic development office.

Two other honorees will be recognized at the Dec. 11 luncheon. Rob Shema of altafiber will receive the Volunteer of the Year Award. Aaron Kale of The Wendy's Company will receive the President's Award.

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