James A. Burns, MD

4.9 
698 ratings  Read Reviews
Northwestern Medicine logoNorthwestern Medical Group

Primary Specialty

Laryngology

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Practice Focus Areas

This medical professional has a particular interest or expertise in:

Education

Medical Education:
MD, University of Virginia School of Medicine - 1991
Internship:
University of Virginia Medical Center - 1992
Residency:
University of Virginia Medical Center - 1996
Fellowships:
Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary/Harvard Medical School - 2003

Board Certifications

  • American Board of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery - Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery (Certified)

Faculty Profile

Professor, Feinberg School of Medicine

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Practice Groups and Affiliations

Medical Group:
Northwestern Medical Group
Alignment Category:
Northwestern Medicine Physician Network
On Medical Staff At:
Northwestern Memorial Hospital

Ratings and Reviews

At Northwestern Medicine, our patient’s feedback is important to us. While different care providers have their own unique strengths, we strive to be as transparent as possible with our quality of care.

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Overall Rating

4.9
4.9 

698 Ratings

Reviews from Patients

100 Most Recent Reviews

Reviews from Patients

100 Most Recent Reviews

April 29, 2025

5.0

Knows his field. Excellent communicator.

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April 26, 2025

5.0

Be cause DR Burns know what he is doing

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April 25, 2025

5.0

Very caring and knowledgeable. Excellent bedside manner. I felt st edr talking with him.

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April 22, 2025

5.0

Knows his specific area and his profession. Caring and an excellent communicator.

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April 21, 2025

5.0

Nice manner,cares and listens. nice follow up

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April 19, 2025

5.0

Direct, understandable explanation.

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April 17, 2025

5.0

He explained the reason forcthe procedure and saw me quickly at Shirley Ryan

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April 16, 2025

5.0

See above comment. Nice man, calm, efficient, explained things in an understandable way. Came up with realistic solutions

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April 14, 2025

5.0

Dr Burns explained everything I needed to know about my condition and what to expect in a very concise manner.

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April 14, 2025

5.0

Very thorough, took the time to explain things and answer questions, very pleasant and kind

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April 10, 2025

5.0

I find him informative, positive and personable .

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April 09, 2025

5.0

Dr. Burns was excellent. He took the time to sit down with me and thoroughly discuss my issues.

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April 08, 2025

5.0

Dr. Burns listens well and is a good communicator about what he is doing and why. He is innovative in his approach to chronic cough.

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April 07, 2025

5.0

Extremely knowledgeable and easy to communicate with

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April 07, 2025

5.0

He is a skilled practitioner and explains everything in layman's terms. I appreciate his "way of practicing " as much as appreciate his skill.

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April 03, 2025

5.0

Dr. Burns has a wonderful bedside manner. He was very approachable and a very good listener, explained everything in great detail at a pace one could understand. He seemed glad to be in the office taking care of his pts. Very compassionate. And knowledgeable. Highly recommended him!

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April 02, 2025

5.0

Very professional and yet very personable.

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April 02, 2025

5.0

Based on my first impression I think Dr Burns is a really great doctor.

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April 02, 2025

5.0

Very great doctor from what I met today as a doctor.

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March 30, 2025

5.0

Dr Burns was very attentive. He listened carefully and performed a procedure flawlessly and did not cause any pain or discomfort.

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March 27, 2025

5.0

Top notch doctor.

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March 26, 2025

5.0

Same as above. He was very nice and explained thinks clearly.

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March 26, 2025

5.0

Addressed my concerns clearly and concisely

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March 24, 2025

5.0

extremely thoughtful well educated

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March 20, 2025

5.0

Dr. Burns was very attentive and covered all my concerns during my examination.

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March 19, 2025

5.0

Good experience made feel comfortable.

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March 17, 2025

5.0

Good doctor

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March 17, 2025

5.0

Yes, I would like to continue my care with this.Doctor

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March 13, 2025

5.0

I like Dr Burns. Smart. He listens to how I am feeling since my last visit. Adjusts my needs as such.

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March 12, 2025

5.0

Expertise

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March 12, 2025

5.0

Dr. Burns is friendly and approachable. He listens and understands the situation. He is very knowledgeable. I would recommend him to other patients.

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March 03, 2025

5.0

Dr Burns is very pleasant to deal with, competent and gives good and useful advice. He identified my problems quickly and accurately and prescribed the right medicine/solutions.

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March 02, 2025

5.0

Took his time to explain everything to me.

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February 26, 2025

5.0

Dr Burns and his staff are caring and professionals. He takes time to explain the procedure and makes you feel like you are his only patient.

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February 14, 2025

5.0

Very thorough.

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February 13, 2025

5.0

He took time explaining his findings and then writing down the saline spray to add to the other medication that I'm taking. Very nice, easy to talk to and very professional.

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February 04, 2025

5.0

good-hearted and extremely skilled/knowledgeable physician.

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February 03, 2025

5.0

Provides detailed feedback.

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January 31, 2025

5.0

Excellent doctor!

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January 28, 2025

5.0

I am so grateful that Dr. Burns took me on as a patient because my medical issues are complex and also will likely involve continuing conversations with other Northwestern doctors on my medical team. Dr. Burns is very supportive of this team approach.

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January 24, 2025

5.0

excellent highly skilled MD, I travel across the country to receive his expert care.

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January 20, 2025

5.0

We had a very good conversation .Please with explanation on my case

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January 10, 2025

5.0

Didn't feel rushed and he took the time to explain everything and talk through my issues.

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January 09, 2025

5.0

He knew how to make you feel comfortable in a uncomfortable setting.

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January 08, 2025

5.0

Fine physician.

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January 08, 2025

5.0

Dr. Burns is deserving of the high score as he delivered during my consult with a high level of physician - patient interaction which facilitates the goals of diagnosis, care and collaboration where appropriate.

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January 06, 2025

5.0

Very easy going and knowledgeable. Scope work was gentle. Provided a lot of great information.

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January 03, 2025

5.0

Dr. Burns has an excellent ability to communicate complex medical information to this patient and I greatly appreciated the time he took to carefully explain my medical issues and treatment options.

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December 30, 2024

5.0

Can't imagine anything which could be improved in the interaction with the doctor.

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December 22, 2024

5.0

Thoroughness of explanations.

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December 19, 2024

5.0

I have been seeing Dr Burns for years. He is so good that I fly in from Boston for his laryngeal treatments

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December 18, 2024

5.0

Very friendly manner and a clear communicator

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December 16, 2024

5.0

He's has compassion. He takes time with you. He asks good questions and he really listens. He succinctly provides all the details you need. I wish more doctors were like him.

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December 12, 2024

5.0

He was in complete command of his discipline. Everything explained.

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December 11, 2024

5.0

Dr. Burns was amazing from start to finish. Couldn't recommend more highly!

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December 10, 2024

5.0

Very sharp

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December 06, 2024

5.0

Caring, understanding and knowledgeable, takes the time to answer questions and to provide the best possible treatment

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December 04, 2024

5.0

He is a fantastic doctor who takes the time to listen to his patients, troubleshoot, and explain everything. One of the best doctors I have ever seen.

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November 27, 2024

5.0

Dr Burns appears to have a lot experience as well as a great " bedside manner ". Felt that he was very competent!

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November 24, 2024

5.0

Dr. Burns is an outstanding surgeon and caregiver. He focuses on his patients' physical and mental well-being. Excellent people skills. He cares about his patients.

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November 18, 2024

4.0

He was suggestive and on point during the whole surgery

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November 18, 2024

5.0

Please my earlier comment. Dr Burns did listen and suggested an additional procedure that no one else does did. He cut the scar tissue with a laser which helped open up my throat and now swallowing is much easier.

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November 13, 2024

5.0

He was really nice, and seemed super knowledgeable about whats up with my particular issues.

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November 13, 2024

5.0

Dr Burns was great! He listened to my concerns and offered alternatives and solutions

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November 13, 2024

5.0

Dr Burns listen to my concerns and after 5 procedures at UofC with 4 different doctors, he made a difference and I am experiencing better results after 1 1/2 weeks.

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November 13, 2024

5.0

A great experience and good service all around.

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November 09, 2024

5.0

Confident with his knowledge and skills. He treated me with dignity, respect and a great sense of humor.

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November 08, 2024

5.0

This Dr Burns is one of the nicest Doctors I have ever spoken with. The gold standard at NW. Took the time to explain everything in great detail and w great compassion.

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November 08, 2024

5.0

Very patient, he analyzed my problem and recommended the appropriate medication. Excellent specialist. Thank you.

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November 07, 2024

5.0

Professional knowledge excellent bedside manners. Good doctor.

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November 06, 2024

5.0

Dr. Burns is efficient, considerate, and respectful of his patients. He is careful to explain the treatments and logic behind them. I have received excellent medical care from him.

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November 03, 2024

5.0

I just met Dr. Burns today. He walked in, had an assessment of the situation, was kind, soft spoken, I felt very much as ease with his knowledge of the vocal cords.

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November 02, 2024

5.0

Friendly and explained every thing in detail in a way that allowed us to understand.

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October 31, 2024

5.0

Very competent. Addressed all my concerns.

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October 31, 2024

5.0

Same as above. I followed Dr Burns from Boston because I trust in his care.

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October 30, 2024

5.0

First meeting with this patient, me! Knew that he cared about my health, just with his questions and explanations,

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October 23, 2024

5.0

He was very good at explaining both what he was doing and why he was doing it and treated me with respect and empathy

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October 21, 2024

5.0

Dr Burns listens, takes notes, asks questions, and cares about helping you. Even though he couldn't help me himself, he took the time to organize a therapist to work with me.

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October 21, 2024

5.0

Knowledgeable. Experienced. Professional

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October 19, 2024

5.0

Very thorough Listens Offers solutions Lays out next steps

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October 17, 2024

5.0

I had to have a scope inserted into my nose that the Doctor had to slide down a little to see into my throat. He explained the procedure in a very calming manner and was very gentle with me. I was very nervous and scared to the point of wanting to get up and leave. He told me it was my choice, however, he would like to know what was going on with my throat so he could put my mind at ease. I decided to go ahead with the test and was happy that I did so in the end. He and his assistant were great! He is an excellent teacher and Doctor!

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October 16, 2024

5.0

Able to explain condition and procedures in layman's terms.

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October 16, 2024

5.0

Dr. Burns is knowledgeable and he takes time to talk with patients. He was both punctual and accommodating when I was caught in traffic and I had to reschedule for a later time.

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October 14, 2024

5.0

He seemed genuine and so did his team

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October 14, 2024

5.0

Dr Burns is a smart and very caring.doctor. He answered all my questions and reassured me that everything looked healthy.

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October 10, 2024

5.0

Dr Burns is a stand up, caring and qualified man!

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October 08, 2024

5.0

He is magnificent!!!!!!!'nnn

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October 08, 2024

5.0

Same as above. Very thorough and answered all my questions.

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October 07, 2024

5.0

He was able to do what my previous surgeon (from another health system) was not; he completely removed a mass that had been operated on twice before and had continued to grow. Not only is the mass gone, but my voice is getting stronger every day as my throat heals.

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September 27, 2024

5.0

Dr. Burns was easy to speak with and answered every question. He explained the procedure and the expected outcome. I chose him because of his specific experience and am very glad I did.

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September 27, 2024

5.0

Thorough and really good at explaining things

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September 21, 2024

5.0

The Dr. Was straight with me and I felt he knew I had gone through this procedure before. He insured me that he would make sure he corrected the problem.

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September 19, 2024

5.0

Very informative. Excellent interaction.

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September 17, 2024

5.0

Professional explains everything clearly. Spends time with patients

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September 16, 2024

5.0

Nicest Dr and felt really at home, and so easy to talk to.

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September 11, 2024

5.0

What he has done for my boyfriend in such a short time was nothing short of AMAZING!

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September 11, 2024

5.0

He is knowledgeable and respectful, very open about what isn't in his specialty, and has been very encouraging. I have had 4 excellent appointments with him so far.

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September 10, 2024

5.0

First time seeing an ENT MD and I'm glad it's with Dr Burns. He explained everything well and very pleasant.

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September 09, 2024

5.0

Very competent and confident, caring and innovative. Would highly recommend!

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September 05, 2024

5.0

Dr. Burns was kind, attentive and made sure that all of my questions were answered. He put me and my family member at ease. We feel very comfortable with his care.

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Disclosures

James A. Burns, MD reported no external professional relationships for calendar year 2024.

External Professional Relationships

Pharmaceutical, device, and biotechnology companies frequently collaborate with basic scientists and physicians within an academic medical center to help advance science and improve patient care. These relationships are important in achieving scientific breakthroughs and in establishing the effectiveness and safety of promising new therapies. In order to assure objectivity in clinical research and patient care, the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine (Feinberg), Northwestern Memorial HealthCare, Children's Hospital of Chicago Medical Center, and the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab have adopted integrity policies that require research and clinical faculty (in full-time, part-time, and unpaid/voluntary categories) to report compensated and uncompensated external industry relationships. Patients are encouraged to discuss these disclosures with their physician as well as to inquire as to how these relationships are overseen by Feinberg. To learn more about our Disclosure and Professional Integrity Policy, and the conflict of interest policies of our joint affiliate survey partners, please go to our Office for Regulatory Affairs Policies page.