Provider Spotlight: Get to know Bridget Barnhart, PA-C

Although Barnhart never really left our community, she is back in primary care welcoming former and new patients

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UPDATE — APRIL 19, 2021: Bridget Barnhart, PA-C, is now only visiting with primary care patients in Steamboat Springs at the Steamboat Signature Specialty Clinic. She will continue to see wound care patients in Craig. 

WATCH: Bridget Barnhart, PA-C, describes why she made the switch back to primary care from dermatology, how she plans to help patients in her new role and what she’s most excited about to be working with the Craig population again.

She’s baaack!

Bridget Barnhart, PA-C, Family Practice/Primary Care

Although Bridget Barnhart, PA-C, never really left the Memorial Regional Health team, she is back in her role as a physician assistant at our Medical Clinic in Craig. Her main areas of focus are adult primary care and wound care; however, Barnhart is a provider with an expansive skill set and has experience in internal medicine, family medicine, dermatology, cardiology and orthopaedics as well.

Barnhart has been a part of the MRH team since 2017, initially practicing alongside Dr. Larry Kipe at the MRH Specialty Clinic. She then switched gears to offer her expertise in skin care for our dermatology patients in Steamboat, which is the role she’s had for the past two years. She realized she missed the problem-solving and personal care associated with serving primary care patients and wanted to get back to exploring those passions again.

“I was told once not to say over the top statements like ‘I love this’ or ‘I’m passionate about that,’ but what I’ve realized over the years as a PA, is that those statements are not ‘over the top’ for me,” Barnhart said. “I love what I do, and I’m passionate about providing excellent care and developing lasting relationships with the community.”

Barnhart attended Alfred University in New York for her undergraduate studies and then attained a graduate degree from the California College of the Arts in San Francisco. When she decided to change her career path to pursue healthcare, she received her medical education at the Oregon Health and Sciences University School of Medicine. She is a diplomate fellow for the Society of Dermatology Physician Assistants and was a provider champion for the Rocky Mountain ACO Clinical Integration Committee.

Barnhart sat down with us to discuss her professional medical background, how she works with MRH patients in her new role and why she is inspired to provide top-notch healthcare for our rural community.

Q: Were you always interested in a career in healthcare? What inspired your career?  

Bridget: I grew up in a medical family; my grandfather and father were physicians, and my mother was a nurse. Growing up in that setting and seeing the sense of purpose and impact they had in the community definitely impacted my choice later on.

But I actually studied fine art and have a bachelor’s degree in ceramics and a master’s degree in studio art. I continue to paint and draw, but I found being in a studio was too isolating and began volunteering at the Berkeley Free Clinic as a medic. Once there, I realized I’d found my future career.

The hands-on nature of procedures, the time spent with people to understand their histories and putting together the puzzle to find a diagnosis were enjoyable and stimulating. I haven’t looked back since!

Q: What are your specialized areas of training, and what piqued your interest in these specialties? 

Bridget: I was in dermatology for two years and loved the procedures. Maybe it’s my background in art, but making a beautiful closure never gets old. I am now in wound care and am applying some of my dermatology and internal medicine training to that practice.

Within family medicine, I enjoy the complicated patients in which finding the underlying cause of their condition takes time and thoroughness. My first job was in internal medicine and during my PA school rotations, I focused on cardiology, endocrinology and inpatient medicine.  My focus now is going to be adult medicine.

Schedule an appointment with Bridget

Whether you’re a new or former patient at MRH, Bridget Barnhart is available for primary care/family medicine appointments at the Medical Clinic in Craig. Her focus is on adult primary care and wound care, but she has the expertise to attend to the individualized needs of her patients.

For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 970-826-2400 or learn more about offered services here.

Photos shared by Bridget Barnhart, PA-C, of her doing the things she loves most with the people she loves most!

Fun facts and favorites with Bridget

Click on the boxes below to learn more about Bridget!

I have a stepdaughter and we love baking together. I’m a skier and go cross-country and alpine skiing. I am also a cyclist. Most recently, I am completely obsessed with keeping bees. If you ever want to see me get excited, just mention beekeeping!

Torch Lake, Michigan. My family are Michiganders, and I grew up on that lake. It has white sand beaches, and the lake is emerald blue and frigidly cold. Playing cards, sailing and eating big meals with my extended family beats any exotic vacation, any day.

Wake up early, turn on our outdoor sauna, grab our dog and head out for a long cross-country ski or bike ride. Then, I’d warm up when I get home and have breakfast with my family. After, I’d maybe tie some flies (I love fly fishing) or do some drawing or painting, and go for an afternoon hike or head up to the mountain for some alpine skiing in the winter.

At the end of the day, I usually cook for our family, which includes my father- in-law and step-daughter — so a true intergenerational household! I trained as a pastry chef and every now and then will make something special for dessert.

I’m an identical twin and we both still have our exceptionally curly hair. Also, I used to live on a sailboat in San Francisco and taught floating architecture in Gothenburg, Sweden.

It’s a tie between the people and access to the outdoors. I’m a functional introvert so I really enjoy talking with everyone at work, but when I’m home, I flee into the woods!

Q: What is your main goal in how you approach patient care?

Bridget: To build relationships and to meet people where they are at. I want to be working with people to help them feel better and meet their goals.

Q: What achievements are you especially proud of during your time as a PA-C?

Bridget: During my training, I was recognized for excellence in the clinical year, which was presented to one student in my PA cohort at Oregon Health and Science University. That award showed a dedication to excellence and a commitment to growth in my profession.

Q: What is the most rewarding part of your career?

Bridget: There’s always a patient who comes in feeling unheard or unimproved from an outside organization. Taking the time to ensure their concerns are fully investigated and that they know I’m there for them is always rewarding. The best moment is when we work together to make a lifestyle change, and they are successful. There is a shared joy in those moments that I cherish.

Q: What are you most excited about/looking forward to, being back in Family Practice at MRH?

Bridget: The team we have right now is exceptional. Every day that I’m at work is fun and challenging and I feel so supported. Being in a place where people love what they do is contagious and really makes the quality of care that patients experience better too! I love being able to help with every aspect of someone’s healthcare, especially when a patient comes in and we work together to solve a problem.