The George David Peak Memorial Burn Care Center at University Hospital provides immediate help to severely burned patients and aid those patients with minor burns in healing their wounds at home.

A Legacy of Care
University Hospital has provided burn care since 1968, but Mid-Missouri's only intensive care unit for burns was officially established in 1977. The new George David Peak Memorial Burn Center was made possible through the generous support provided by George and Blanche Peak in memory of their son.

En route to southern Missouri to conduct a training class for emergency medical personnel, George D. Peak was traveling in a light plane that crashed in bad weather. A native of Columbia, Peak had been a member of the Boone County Volunteer Fire Department and an original member of the Emergency Medical Services team at University Hospital.

In 1974, George W. and Blanche donated funds to the University of Missouri to establish the burn care unit and continued to support the institution over the years. "We appreciate the opportunity to contribute to the Burn Center," said George W. Peak. "Not only does it immortalize our son's dedication to his work there, but it also is part of the Health Sciences Center's goal of providing total health care to those who need it."

When the Burn Care Center officially opened in 1977, it was the first facility solely dedicated to treating burn patients in mid-Missouri and remains the only burn intensive care center between Kansas City and St. Louis. Today the Burn Center stands at the forefront of burn care, offering new techniques for skin replacement, including the use of cultured skin and skin substitutes. The multidisciplinary burn care team also is committed to teaching and educating children and adults about burn prevention.