Jacqueline Barnett, DHSc, MSHS, PA-C

Program Director and Associate Professor

Jacqueline S. Barnett, DHSc, MSHS, PA‐C, serves as the program director and an associate professor at the Duke University School of Medicine, Physician Assistant Program. She is a 1994 graduate of the George Washington University (GWU) Physician Assistant Program, and a previous National Health Corps Scholar and Commissioned Officer in the Public Health Service. Dr. Barnett holds bachelors and master degrees from GWU, and a doctorate in Organizational Leadership and Behavior from A.T. Still University. Prior to joining the faculty at Duke, she served as faculty at the GWU University School of Medicine PA Program. Her clinical practice experiences includes pediatrics, urgent care, family medicine/primary care, and infectious disease.

Dr. Barnett has been a PA for over 27 years, working tirelessly and persistently as a change agent for the development and implementation of efforts to improve diversity, inclusion, and equity in PA education and health care. Her dedication to underserved populations led to her involvement with starting The University of Maryland Eastern Shore Physician Assistant Program, an Historically Black College and University.

Jacqueline’s has demonstrated excellence in teaching and in serving the community and the PA profession. She was inducted into The George Washington University Society of Distinguished Teachers, and PI Alpha and Alpha Eta Professional Honor Societies. Dr. Barnett is also a recipient of the endowed Morton A. Bender Award of Teaching Excellence, the National Public Health Service Award and the DC Academy of Physician Assistants Distinguished Service Award. While at Duke, Jacqueline has received the Inaugural Graduate and Professional Student Council Inclusivity Award (2019), most recently, the Michelle P. Winn Inclusive Excellence Award (2021.
Her leadership skills extend to serving in various key roles in the PA profession, including the board of directors for the District of Columbia Academy of Physician Assistants, as the AAPA Liaison to the National Medical Association, member of the Finance Council for the Physician Assistant Education Association, and as a site visitor and Commissioner for the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant. As a previous National Health Service Corps Scholar, she is committed to efforts to improve education and healthcare access to undeserved communities and to populations that have been marginalized and historically excluded.