Medical Liason
Dr. Judy McDonald (Burkholder) spent most of her youth wanting to become a medical doctor. She eventually went to medical school and practiced internal medicine until she retired in June 2019. When asked if she would consider becoming the medical liaison on the Board of Directors of Healthy Women, Healthy Liberia, she saw this as an opportunity to continue to use her medical skills for a very worthwhile cause.
As a member of Asbury United Methodist Church in Allentown, PA, she knew of Dr. Chris Hena and admired her vital work for many years. Judy is a supporter of the Barrels of Love program at Asbury, since every stitch of her family’s unused summer clothes goes directly to Liberia and she backs Asbury in Missions which oversees the program.
Judy received her bachelor’s degree from Muhlenberg College in Allentown, PA, and then a medical degree from Hahnemann Medical College (now Drexel University College of Medicine) in Phila, PA. She completed a three-year residency in Internal Medicine at Lehigh Valley Health Network and a fourth year as Chief Medical Resident. Judy was Board Certified in Internal Medicine in 1979.
Judy married Thomas O. Burkholder, MD, a now-retired ophthalmologist, and raised two daughters, Bryn Burkholder, MD, an ophthalmologist on the faculty of The Wilmer Eye Institute of Johns Hopkins University Hospital; and Alissa Burkholder Murphy, BS,MS who is a professor in mechanical engineering at Johns Hopkins University. Alissa is also the mother of Judy’s two grandsons who are her hobbies and special interests.
While raising her family, she was active at Asbury UMC serving as Chairwoman of the Committee on Health and Well-Being, a member of the Prayer Chain and Worship Committee, sang with the Chancel Choir, and at present, sings with their Praise Band. Judy was also a camp counselor at a Methodist church camp for two years and currently volunteers at Bright Hope Pregnancy Center, a pro-life group formerly known as CareNet, where she serves as the organization’s church liaison and is on their Medical Advisory Board.
