About our Physicians

Daniel Garcia M.D.

Daniel Xavier Garcia, M.D
Dr. Garcia opened the Great Lakes Bone and Joint Center in 1993.  He graduated from Creighton University Medical School and completed his orthopedic surgery residency at Saint Luke’s Hospital, Case Western University in Cleveland, OH.  He had been board certified in orthopedic surgery for over 20 years.  Dr. Garcia is a member of the Southern Medical Association, the Michigan Orthopedic Society, the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, the Michigan State Medical Society, and the American Medical Association.

A sports enthusiast, Dr. Garcia was the event physician at the NCAA National Women’s Division III Golf Championships in 2002.  He is also the current team physician for the Lakeview High School Football team and served as the team physician for the Battle Cats Class A Baseball team for three years.

Dr. Garcia is a father of four lovely children and married to Linda Marie Garcia

Robert Thomas M.D.

Robert Thomas, M.D.
Dr. Thomas has been serving patients at the Great Lakes Bone and Joint Center since 1997.  He graduated from the Medical College of Virginia as well as holds a certificate of physical therapy from the University of Pennsylvania.  He completed his orthopaedic residency from the University of Albany in New York.

Currently licensed in three states including Michigan, Dr. Thomas is board certified and a member of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, the American Medical Association, the Michigan State Medical Society, the Calhoun County Medical Society, and the Christian Medical and Dental Society. 

Dr. Thomas was the chief surgeon at Oaklawn Hospital from 2001 – 2003.  He also served the United States Air Force Academy as a major and medical corps orthopaedic surgeon, as well as a team physician for several of their sports teams.  He is the current team physician for Olivet College, and the Marshall High School and Harper Creek High School football teams.

Joseph Burkhardt D.O.

Dr. Burkhardt has been on staff at the Great Lakes Bone and Joint Center since 2001.  He became a doctor of osteopathic medicine after graduating from Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences College of Osteopathic Medicine.  He completed his orthopaedic surgery residency at Michigan State University and his adult reconstruction, sports and joint replacement fellowship from Florida Knee and Orthopaedic Centers.  
                                   
As a board certified orthopedic Surgeon, Dr. Burkhardt has operating privileges at several hospitals including Battle Creek Health System, Oaklawn Hospital, Brookside Surgery Center, Borgess Medical Center and Southwest Rehabilitation Hospital. 

He has traveled throughout the country lecturing on total and partial knee replacement, as well as hip resurfacing. He is a member of the American Osteopathic Association, the American Osteopathic Academy of Orthopedics, the Michigan Osteopathic Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, the Wayne County Osteopathic Association and the Detroit Academy of Orthopedics.  He has also served as an affiliate staff member at Borgess Medical Center as well as was the co-chairmen of the Orthopaedic Renewal Center at Battle Creek Health System.  Dr. Burkardt is also a clinical professor at Michigan State University.

Involved in the community, Dr. Burkhardt is the team physician for the Battle Creek Revolution, a Single A Professional Hockey Team, and Albion College Football Team.  He also served as the plant physician for two Ford Motor Company facilities.

Dr. Burkhardt and his wife, Jenny are the proud parents of their four wonderful children.