About
William B. Burkhart took an unconventional path to medicine. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Music Education from the University of Tennessee Knoxville in 2008 and spent several years working as a band director, general music teacher, and orchestral conductor before shifting careers. He graduated from ETSU Quillen College of Medicine in 2019 and completed his residency in Community and Family Medicine at the University of Missouri-Kansas City in 2022. The American Board of Family Medicine has board certified him, and the Tennessee Board of Medical Examiners licenses him to practice in the state.
Dr. Burkhart founded Burkhart Direct Family Care in 2022, continuing a family medical tradition rooted in East Tennessee dating to 1907. His clinical interests span broad-spectrum family medicine, with particular focus on chronic disease management, substance use disorders including opioid dependence and alcoholism, hormone replacement therapy, testosterone replacement therapy, women's health, and pediatric care. He integrates functional and integrative medicine approaches when appropriate. He is the son of Dr. William L. Burkhart and the fifth generation of his family to practice medicine in East Tennessee.
Education & Training
Undergraduate
University of Tennessee Knoxville, B.S. Music Education (2008)
Medical School
ETSU Quillen College of Medicine (2019)
Residency
Community and Family Medicine, UMKC, Kansas City, Missouri (2022)
Additional Training
Several years as a band director, general music teacher, and orchestral conductor before pursuing medicine
Certifications
Conditions Treated
Who is Dr. Burkhart right for?
Dr. Burkhart serves patients across all age groups, from newborns through adults managing complex chronic conditions. Adults dealing with diabetes, hypertension, thyroid disorders, obesity, or heart disease benefit from his chronic disease focus and longer appointment times. Patients seeking confidential, medically supervised treatment for opioid dependence or alcoholism will find direct, judgment-free care. He is also a strong fit for women managing hormonal health, patients interested in functional or integrative approaches, and families who want one physician to care for every household member.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Dr. Burkhart treats a wide range of conditions across all age groups. His focus areas include diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, asthma, arthritis, thyroid disorders, obesity, anxiety, and menopause. He also provides medically supervised treatment for opioid dependence and alcoholism, including Suboxone management.
Yes. Dr. Burkhart holds board certification from the American Board of Family Medicine. He is also licensed to practice by the Tennessee Board of Medical Examiners.
Dr. Burkhart graduated from ETSU Quillen College of Medicine in 2019. He then completed his residency in Community and Family Medicine at the University of Missouri-Kansas City in 2022.
Yes. Dr. Burkhart provides confidential treatment for substance use disorders, including opioid dependence and alcoholism. He prescribes Suboxone for patients in opioid recovery and manages this care directly within the practice.
Yes. Dr. Burkhart manages both hormone replacement therapy and testosterone replacement therapy for appropriate patients. He evaluates and monitors these treatments as part of his ongoing chronic care services.
Yes. Dr. Burkhart provides full pediatric care, including newborn visits, well-child exams, same-day sick visits, and sports physicals. Pediatric care is included in the monthly membership for enrolled children.
Dr. Burkhart offers a comprehensive set of women's health services within his membership. These include PAP smears, HPV testing, contraception management, hormone replacement therapy, and prenatal care coordination.
Yes. Dr. Burkhart incorporates functional and integrative medicine approaches when they are appropriate for a patient's situation. He also provides nutrition and lifestyle counseling as part of his standard care.
Before pursuing medicine, Dr. Burkhart worked as a band director, general music teacher, and orchestral conductor. S. in Music Education from the University of Tennessee Knoxville in 2008 before transitioning to a medical career.
Dr. Burkhart continues a family medical tradition in East Tennessee that began in 1907. He is the son of Dr. William L. Burkhart and carries forward a lineage that has included four generations of physicians serving the Knoxville area.
Doctor profile last updated April 10, 2026