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At UC Irvine Regional Burn Center, one of the few U.S. burn centers verified by the American College of Surgeons, a skilled team of trauma surgeons, occupational and physical therapists, psychologists, dietitians, child life specialists, case managers and social workers provide the highest quality medical care to burn patients. UC Irvine Healthcare’s team includes some of the nation’s most respected and highly trained physicians and nursing experts who are dedicated to promoting their patients’ complete physical and emotional healing. The burn team’s goal is to treat and heal patients within the shortest possible inpatient stay, followed by highly individualized outpatient therapy.

Nicole P. Bernal, MD Burn, trauma and critical care surgeon

Dr. Bernal, acting director of the UC Irvine Regional Burn Center, is a burn and acute care surgeon with fellowship training in both surgical critical care and burn surgery. She has expertise in skin grafts, wound reconstruction and critical care management for adult and pediatric patients with acute thermal, chemical and electrical injuries, as well as with burn-related complications such as scar contractures and hypertrophic scarring.

Bernal also is a skilled general and trauma surgeon with expertise in numerous laparoscopic procedures, including cholecystectomy, appendectomy and hernia repair, as well as a variety of intestinal and complex abdominal wall surgeries. Her research interests include laser imaging for early determination of burn wound depth, the development of treatment strategies to prevent complications in patients with severe burns and traumas, and assessment of the psychosocial affects of burns on the pediatric population.

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Allen P. Kong, MD Trauma and critical care surgeon

Dr. Kong is a trauma surgeon with fellowship training in surgical critical care. Kong also performs outpatient general surgery, including laparoscopic and complex hernia repair, stoma reversals, laparoscopic cholecystectomy and gastrostomy. His research interest involves the amelioration of organ failure in hemorrhagic shock, and he has been published on the topic of UC Irvine's improved success with organ procurement. He is a member of the Society of Critical Care Medicine.

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Christopher T. Lane, MD Surgeon

Dr. Lane is a surgeon with the trauma and critical care surgery team. His clinical interests include laparoscopic surgery and surgical procedures for the gallbladder, hernias, colon, thyroid, parathyroid, pancreas, liver and various cancers.

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Michael T. Lekawa, MD, FACS Trauma and critical care surgeon

Dr. Lekawa, head of UC Irvine Healthcare’s Trauma, Burns, Acute Care Surgery and Critical Care Services, is a board-certified surgeon and surgical intensivist who has dedicated his life to improving care for patients suffering from trauma or emergent surgical conditions. Lekawa is a fellow of the American College of Surgeons and a member of the Society of Critical Care Medicine, the Pacific Coast Surgical Society and the American Association for the Surgery of Trauma. He has received multiple teaching and service awards during his career.

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Jennifer Todd, RN Burn program manager

Jennifer is the key liaison between the burn center and the community, connecting fire departments, emergency departments, paramedics and other referring physicians to ensure the best care for burn patients in Orange County. She represents UC Irvine Regional Burn Center at community events, develops strategies and programs for burn prevention and organizes fundraising activities. Jennifer and her staff also oversee UC Irvine Burn Foundation’s Burn Survivor Programs.

Kimberly Burton, PA Physician assistant

Kimberly assists UC Irvine’s burn surgeons in providing both inpatients and outpatients with continuity of care. She also assists surgeons with surgical and wound care procedures. Kimberly is involved in many activities and programs, including the Twilight Picnic, World Burn Congress for Burn Survivors, American Burn Conference and Burn Prevention Programs. She is also a Burn Life Support instructor.

Suzanne Bailey, PT Physical therapist

Suzanne Bailey is a supervisor for physical therapy services. She is a licensed physical therapist who has been caring for burn survivors for more than 13 years. Suzanne provides direct patient care in both the acute care setting as well as the outpatient burn-wound office. She also provides ongoing education to the staff, burn survivors and their families to improve mobility in the community, joint mobility, muscle strength, functional use of their legs and scar appearance.

Shu-chuan Chen Hsu, MA, OTR/L, CHT Occupational therapist and hand therapist

Shu-chuan Chen Hsu is the supervisor of the occupational therapy services and a licensed occupational therapist and certified hand therapist. She specializes in the therapeutic management of upper extremity injury and hypertrophic scar. Shu-chuan Chen also provides hands on treatment, such as exercise, splint, garment measurement and patient/family education to help burn survivors improve joint mobility, muscle strength, hand function and scar appearance. She mentors occupational therapists and gives lectures to occupational therapy students in therapeutic management of the burn injured.

Carolee Darden, LCSW Clinical social worker

Carolee plays a vital role in providing our patients and their families with access to critical information and resources to help them rebuild their lives after injury. Working closely with the Burn Intensive Care Unit staff, Carolee helps link patients with timely information to assist in their rehabilitation and recovery. Carolee is a licensed clinical social worker and a member of the National Association of Clinical Social Workers.