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WOMEN IN
MEDICINE

Dr. Burns-Banks actually did not start out in pediatrics. She had Dr. Burns-Banks’ list of accomplishments and service to the com-
planned on becoming a pathologist. As a data-driven individual who munity is impressive, and some key highlights are her service as Vice
is also very analytical, Dr. Burns-Banks was working on a Masters in Chairman of the Board of the Center for Healthcare Services, the Men-
Microbiology when things took a different turn. She decided to enter tal Health Authority for the City of San Antonio, where she champi-
medical school and finished in 3 ½ years. Dr. Burns-Banks started out oned the concept that the integration of mental health and physical
working in the emergency room. The 12-hour days were intense, but health is essential to providing effective health care. Her work culmi-
during that time, she wanted to become a surgeon. By then, she had al- nated in the creation of the Center’s Dianna Burns-Banks, MD Cen-
ready been drawn to pediatrics. She found that children are honest, terCare Clinic at the Restoration Center.
and caring for them seemed more fun. Eventually, she set up her private Additionally, Dr. Burns-Banks has previously served on the Board
practice on San Antonio’s East Side. Dr. Burns-Banks was seeing pa- of Managers of the University Health System, appointed by County
tients not just from the local neighborhood, but from all over San An- Judge Nelson Wolff. Currently, she serves as a Board Member on the
tonio and beyond. Her passion for caring for the underserved Lift Fund, Community First Health Plans, Our Lady of the Lake Uni-
population presented an opportunity to take care of children who versity and The Oblate School of Theology.
didn’t know their full potential. Likewise, caring for more difficult pa- In 2015, Dr. Burns-Banks launched a project near and dear to her
tients presented an opportunity for her to examine how to manage heart – The South Texas Center for Pediatric Care Summer Internship
their care in a more economical way. “Medicine should not have to cost Program. Since the program’s inception, the lives of 35 male and female
what it does,” Dr. Burns-Banks said. Her involvement in Medicaid pa- college-bound students have been positively impacted by their partic-
tient advocacy helped to bring attention to the struggles of Medicaid ipation in the 7-week paid program. Through the program, students
patients and the physicians who care for them. learn how a medical practice works, basic business skills, interaction
Coming from a close-knit family, Dr. Burns-Banks was one of three with patients, interaction with practice staff, employee etiquette, in-
sisters. Her parents always stressed the importance of education and cluding on-site experience at an office location and participate in a dis-
supported her in all her endeavors. They were proud to see her become cussion on the community and why we give back.
a doctor. Dr. Burns-Banks was proud to sponsor her dad’s winning Most recently, in 2020, Dr. Burns-Banks organized the COVID
bowling team, where she provided the team shirts emblazoned with Community Outreach Project, which through her recruitment efforts,
her practice name. A product of Catholic schools from grade school helped impact the lives of over 8,000 residents of San Antonio and the
through the first couple of years of high school, Dr. Burns-Banks be- surrounding area by signing up to get vaccinated against COVID-19.
lieves in divine intervention and credits her faith for all her life’s jour- This project, which she directed from her practice administrative head-
ney and accomplishments. She also credits her physician mentors, the quarters, included help from her staff, a couple of community volun-
late Dr. Frank Bryant, who encouraged her to get involved in organized teers and three medical student volunteers. At the peak of the project,
medicine and the late Dr. Al Sanders, who encouraged her to run first about 100 persons per hour were being registered for COVID-19 vac-
for Hospital Chief of Staff and later for BCMS President. cinations. If registrants were not able to get transportation or were
In 1986, Dr. Burns-Banks became the first female African-American homebound, the project volunteers helped pick them up to bring them
Chief of Staff at Santa Rosa Children’s Hospital. In 2006, Dr. Burns- to the vaccination clinics or coordinated having the vaccine brought
Banks became the first female African-American President of the Bexar to homebound patients.
County Medical Society and second female president overall in the So- Dr. Burns-Banks is a proud mom of two sons, Capt. Michael Burns
ciety’s then 153-year history. She has held numerous positions on coun- and Johnathan Burns and is a grandmother of two grandsons. Dr.
cils and committees at the Bexar County Medical Society and the Texas Burns-Banks said this of receiving the award, “I continue to be sur-
Medical Association, including Chair of both the BCMS Board of Me- prised when I’m recognized. Nothing I’ve done has ever been a big
diations and Membership Committee, has served as a member of the deal to me.”
BCMS Legislative and Socioeconomics Committee and delegate to
the TMA, as well as Chair of the TMA Committee on Children and Mary E. Nava, MBA is the Chief Government Affairs Offi-
Adolescent Healthcare and member of the TMA Council on Consti- cer at the Bexar County Medical Society.
tution and Bylaws. Additionally, she has served as a representative to
the State Medical Care Advisory Committee and both the State and
Regional Advisory Committees for Medicaid and CHIP.

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