Burnett William Gallman, Jr., an accomplished physician, has spent his life sharing knowledge with his community. He is also an avid music lover and performer. A native of Hartsville, S.C., he attended Morehouse College and graduated from Benedict College, where he earned a band scholarship. He graduated from Hahnemann Medical School (now Drexel University College of Medicine) and completed his internship and residency training at the District of Columbia General Hospital in Washington, D.C.
Gallman has served as chief of internal medicine at both Richland Memorial Hospital and the Baptist Medical Center (both now a part of Palmetto Health) in Columbia, S.C., and now works at Wm. Jennings Bryan Dorn Veteran’s Administration Medical Center and is in part-time private practice as a gastroenterologist.
His love of music began at an early age, as Gallman’s mother started teaching him piano lessons at age three. As a teenager, he earned extra money by playing at several churches in the Hartsville area, served as student band director for the Butler High School marching band and played in several all-state bands. At Morehouse College, he was a member of the marching band and also the acclaimed Morehouse Glee Club, which afforded him many unique opportunities including performing at the funeral of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Gallman has lectured on medical, historical, and cultural topics to professional and civic groups across the United States and beyond. He has also written five books, co-authored and edited other books and written several essays and articles.
His lifetime of service has included mentoring young people in various capacities. He also served as a media personality offering medical advice as well as covering African and African American cultural and historical topics. He serves as a member of several boards of directors, including the National Board of the Association for the Study of Classical African Civilizations, and is a graduate of Leadership South Carolina. Gallman is a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. and Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity and is currently co-chair of the council of elders education commission of the KRST Universal Temple in Columbia.
