Burn Care

As the only burn center in New York verified by the American Burn Association, The William Randolph Hearst Burn Center at Weill Cornell Medicine provides the highest level of care to children, adolescents and adults who have sustained any type of burn injury.

Multidisciplinary Burn Care Focused on Recovery and Well-Being

At Weill Cornell Medicine, our burn care specialists are highly trained to care for patients during the three phases of burn recovery:

• Burn resuscitation
• Wound care and surgery for initial management
• Rehabilitation and burn scar reconstruction

Our team includes burn specialists, plastic and reconstructive surgeons, psychologists, surgical intensivists, nurses, physical therapists, occupational therapists, registered dieticians and other specialty staff who all work as part of a coordinated team to optimize patient outcomes. We collaborate closely so that our patients, their families and loved ones receive compassionate physical and emotional care. 

Our team treats approximately 5,000 patients each year — and each patient receives a unique, customized plan for the best possible recovery and long-term well-being. Our beautiful and comfortable facilities include:

• Oversized rooms to accommodate the most advanced technology available
• Hydrotherapy room for daily wound care and complex dressing changes
• Rehabilitation facility
• Children’s playroom

Outpatient Burn Clinic and Telemedicine

Several days a week, our expert team of burn specialists treats burn patients from all over the New York City area and beyond. Our multidisciplinary team including burn surgeons, nurse practitioners, burn specialized physical and occupational therapists, compression garment specialist and outpatient social worker bring comprehensive care to our burn patients. In addition to in-person care, our team also can evaluate patients with burn injuries via virtual visits supported by the Weill Cornell Connect gateway.

Expert and Supportive Care for Healing

We support physical, emotional, social and functional rehabilitation needed to heal fully. As our patient, you will receive compassionate support beyond your medical treatment that includes:

• Physical therapy and occupational therapy to help you readjust and enjoy your daily life
• Dedicated support groups for adult burn survivors, as well as parents and caregivers of children burn patients
• Partnership with organizations, including the New York Firefighters Burn Center Foundation, that supports education and research to innovate burn treatments and effective prevention methods
• Camp Phoenix provides local, safe and fun activities for children aged 7 to 17 years old who have been affected by a burn injury, led by Weill Cornell Medical College

Care for Your Burn

A burn is skin damage from heat, overexposure to the sun or radiation, fire, chemicals, electricity or injury.

Major Burn

Call 911 and seek care for any burn that is deep; larger than three inches in diameter; covers the hands, feet, groin, buttocks or major joint; appears charred or has patches of white, brown or black.

While waiting for emergency help to arrive, be sure to:

• Protect the person who suffered a burn from further harm
• Check breathing and, if needed, begin rescue breathing 
• Remove jewelry, belts and other restrictive items because burned areas can swell rapidly
• Cover the burn with a cool, moist bandage (DO NOT immerse or submerge in water)
• Elevate the burned area, if possible
• Stay with the person who suffered a burn until emergency help arrives

Minor Burn

A minor burn may not require immediate attention. A minor burn is no larger than three inches in diameter, shallow or superficial and causes pain or blisters.

To care for a minor burn, be sure to:

• Cool the burn under cool (not cold) running water or apply a cool, wet compress
• Remove rings or other restrictive items because burned areas swell quickly
• Don’t break blisters because they protect against infection
• If a blister breaks, clean the area with water and apply an antibiotic ointment
• Once the burn is cooled, apply lotion for relief and to prevent skin dryness
• Bandage the burn loosely with a sterile gauze bandage
• If needed, take an over-the-counter pain reliever
• Contact the burn center, your primary care physician or local urgent care facility to determine if your burn requires additional care

Learn more about burn safety, prevention and care.

Request an Appointment

To request an appointment, please fill out our form. Our staff will help you find the physician who best fits your individual medical needs.