So it’s no wonder his patients – many of whom he’s seen for two decades – feel a whole lot like family.
Which is why his recent retirement can only be described as bittersweet.
“It’s been hard to say goodbye to my long-term patients,” he admitted.
“I had the tissues out this morning for both doctor and patient.
“Some people I have been seeing since 2000 and they're still having treatment – I’ve been with them as they’ve endured troubles. You feel like part of the family.”
Not only will it be the end of an era at our local hospital – it’s the closing chapter in an impressive career spanning more than 50 years.
Graduating from the University of Melbourne in 1966, Dr Burns went on to complete his physician and specialist training before tackling post-fellowship work in the US.
Returning to home soil, he took up a consultant role at St Vincent's Hospital – where he first saw the desperate need for cancer services in country towns.
Initially forming a relationship with Goulburn Valley Health in 1985, he provided services there before bringing his skills to ERH 15 years later.
“People from Echuca were going to Shepparton for treatment and one of the nurses here contacted me and said, 'why don't you come to Echuca? It'll make it easier for you over there because you won't be seeing so many patients',” he said.
“It didn't quite work out that way.”
In the following 20 years he treated thousands of patients, addressing a growing need for cancer services in the twin towns.
He also took the next generation of medical oncologists under his wing, with two of his previous registrars now visiting Echuca.
And he’s watched as the local hospital evolved to meet growing cancer care demands.
“I was initially in the old hospital. And oncology consulting was in the bay window so if I wanted to examine someone I had to pull down the blind because it looked straight out into the garden path,” he laughed.
“But we moved some years ago to Lumeah when it became vacant. And that's been better, but it's not ideal.
“It's great there will be a new centre soon. It's been a while coming and it's a booming area. All we need now is a full-time oncologist.”
Dr Burns said he had mixed feelings about hanging up the stethoscope, but it had been a long time coming.
“I've been not seeing new patients up here for several years and Bendigo people have been gradually taking over,” he said.
“They were a bit shocked initially when they heard how many people we were seeing up here.”
As for his team at ERH, they’re going to miss Dr Burns’ quiet, faithful presence.
“It's sad that such a long association will be finishing but we're happy for Ivon and his wife to finally be working at a different pace in retirement,” ERH executive director of medical services Dr Glenn Howlett said.
“We'll have great memories of his involvement in building up our cancer services in Echuca.
“I'm sure we'll hear from him from time to time in the pleasures of retirement which are well and truly deserved.”
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