about the author
Wayne Burkhead
Wayne Z. Burkhead Jr., M.D., known to his patients and friends as “Dr. Buz,” is a man of contradictions. He is a world-renowned orthopaedic surgeon who once spent his days as a mediocre student with a penchant for trouble. Based in Dallas, Texas, he has spent decades specializing in the intricate world of shoulder disorders. He has designed the very medical devices used in operating rooms globally and authored the definitive textbook Rotator Cuff Disorders. Yet, if you ask him, he might tell you he is simply a songwriter who happened to find a calling in sculpting bone.
A Life of High Stakes and Human Connection
Dr. Buz’s journey is not a standard medical success story. It is a narrative of “wild twists and turns” that took him from a misspent youth to the podiums of international medical conferences. His career has been defined by a vivid imagination that allowed him to innovate surgical procedures on the spot, saving the mobility of thousands of patients who had previously lost all hope. This creative edge, born from his love of music and art, became his greatest professional asset.
The Heart of the Healer
Today, at age 71, Dr. Buz faces his greatest challenge: a fatal illness that has significantly reduced his lung function. Despite this, his commitment to his calling remains unshakable. He continues to see patients and perform surgeries, often on his days off, driven by an empathy that he hopes outweighs any narcissistic traits. He lives and works with the belief that relationships and kindness are the only legacies that truly endure. When he is not in the clinic, he is likely writing a song, reflecting on his “cradle to soon to be dug grave” journey, and enjoying life in the city he calls home.
About The Book
What happens when a rebellious youth, fueled by curiosity and a dangerous habit of sniffing glue, grows up to become one of the world’s most respected shoulder surgeons? Narcissus Unglued is the raw, high-stakes autobiography of Dr. Wayne “Buz” Burkhead Jr. It is a story that leaps from the creative dreams of a struggling musician to the precision of international medical stages. Dr. Buz invites you to explore the thin, often blurred line between the self-absorption of a narcissist and the relentless drive required to save lives and innovate medical procedures on the fly.
