Dr Burks grew up in Orlando, FL. He obtained his liberal arts degree at Rollins College with magna cum laude distinction, subsequently completing medical school at the University of Miami with Alpha Omega Alpha distinction. He completed Neurosurgical residency at the University of Miami Jackson Memorial Hospital. At UM he obtained CAST accredited fellowship training in complex and minimally invasive spine surgery and peripheral nerve surgery. He maintains an active lifestyle playing tennis and basketball. He enjoys reading both fiction and non-fiction.