Dr. Andrew Burchett is a cardiologist at ARH Highlands Regional Medical Center. He has a calm reassurance about him and whether his demeanor has been influenced by his specialty area or his choice of specialty was influenced by his demeanor, Dr. Burchett is confident and comforting.
Growing up in Prestonsburg, Kentucky, Burchett’s father was a family doctor. He says “I’ve always been close to the medical field. I grew up in medicine. When I was little, I remember going on house calls and going on rounds with my dad at the hospital.”
Seeing the impact his father had on his patients influenced the young Burchett’s career. “I saw how much Dad’s patients appreciated not only the healthcare he provided, but the genuine care he had for them too. He worked to make their lives better and I wanted to do that,” he recalls.
Burchett graduated from Transylvania University and attended the University of Kentucky (UK) for medical school. He completed his residency at Tulane University in New Orleans, Louisiana. Burchett says, “I had only lived in Prestonsburg and Lexington and I saw going to New Orleans as a great opportunity to live in and experience a different culture than here in Kentucky.”
Living in another state confirmed what he already knew – that he wanted to finish his training and return to Appalachia to practice medicine. After finishing his residency, Burchett returned to UK for his cardiology fellowship and then came home to Prestonsburg for good. Burchett says, “My wife, Jaime, is from Salyersville and both of us being from the area made it easier since we both wanted to move back home.”
Enjoying where you are and what you do are two of the keys to a happy life. Originally, Burchett planned to go
into primary care like his father, but in school he soon found himself captivated by cardiology, trying to get
more rotations in that area. He found his understanding of cardiology to come more naturally than other
medical specialties.
Burchett says he has learned something necessary for practicing medicine that most would not expect. He says, “I’ve learned one characteristic needed is humility. You have to be open and willing to be more aware of what you don’t know and less certain of what you think you know. Thinking critically and analytically is more important than quick answers.” Burchett continues, “Recognizing that you don’t know everything and being willing to put in the effort and time to keep learning are critical skills in medicine, in parenting and in life.” Honing these characteristics and way of thinking may have led Burchett to his current status of youth football coach. For the past several years he has been very involved with coaching and assisting with all levels of Prestonsburg Blackcat football.
He explains, “When I moved back I got involved with coaching 3rd and 4th grade football. I was reluctant at first because of time constraints, but it’s worked out. I wish more community members would see how much our kids need for us to be involved.” For the last couple of years, he has mainly worked with the 5th and 6th grade team and says the Kindergarten through 2nd grade level is starting to grow. Burchett works some with the high school team but sees his main role as helping build the foundation for the high school.
Another way Dr. Burchett wants to invest in community youth is in promoting and encouraging young people to go into the medical field. He says he wants students to know that “Being a doctor is a great profession. It’s very rewarding. It’s a secure career choice and there’s especially a big need for doctors in our area in particular.” The advice he would give to young people interested in medicine is, “Work as hard as possible, make good grades and apply. Keep an open mind because the field of medicine is huge. Lastly, I’d tell them to consider trying to stay here in Eastern Kentucky. There really is no place like home.”
Moving back to where he’s from and family are part of who Burchett is. Currently, one of his favorite places to
travel is Disney World and he says “when my kids laugh,” is one of the things that always makes him smile.
Dr. Burchett and his wife Jaime live in Prestonsburg with their two children. Son Jackson is turning 8 this May
and daughter Sarah will turn 6 in May. (May is very busy in the Burchett home).
Although spare time is rare, when he is able he enjoys playing golf, listening to “alternative country” and live
music. He has seen roots music artist Robert Earl Keen several times, wants to see the Turnpike Troubadours
and admits unexpectedly that he likes quite a bit of rap music too. He’s a fan of Yellowstone and he and Jaime
are currently enjoying watching the prequel series, 1923.
Dr. Burchett has a clear picture of where he sees himself in 20 years, saying “I hope my kids have good
educations and good lives. As for my work, I hope to still be practicing medicine here in Prestonsburg. I’m still
excited to go to work every day and to keep on top of the advancements in the field. I don’t see a lot changing
for us.”