
Dr. Christopher F. Barnett, MD
Contact this Provider
(202) 877-2339
About Me
Christopher Barnett, MD, MPH, is Director of the Pulmonary Hypertension Program and Director of the Medical Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit at MedStar Heart & Vascular Institute at MedStar Washington Hospital Center. He is board certified in critical care medicine, cardiovascular disease, and advanced heart failure and transplant cardiology. He is a member of the International Society for Heart & Lung Transplantation, the American College of Cardiology, and the Pulmonary Hypertension Association.
Dr. Barnett specializes in the care of patients with pulmonary hypertension as well as patients who are critically ill with cardiovascular disease. In his pulmonary hypertension practice, he manages patients with advanced therapies including parenteral treatments. In the cardiac intensive care unit, he leads a multidisciplinary team that provides optimal, collaborative care to patients with severe cardiovascular disease as well as to patients before and after advanced, special cardiovascular procedures. He works closely and collaboratively with referring providers and other specialist physicians, including transplant cardiologists and the palliative care team at MedStar Washington Hospital Center.
Dr. Barnett received his medical degree and his master’s degree in public health from Northwestern University. He completed his internal medicine residency at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago, Illinois. He then completed a clinical and research fellowship in critical care medicine at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), followed by a fellowship in cardiovascular disease at the University of California, San Diego. He joined the faculty at the University of California, San Francisco, where he became Associate Professor of Medicine, prior to joining MedStar.
Dr. Barnett is passionate about growing and evolving the already outstanding pulmonary hypertension program at MedStar Washington Hospital Center. He hopes to give patients advanced, exceptional pulmonary hypertension care as well as access to clinical trials and a chance to participate in groundbreaking research. As a cardiologist who completed his fellowship training in critical care, Dr. Barnett’s skill set is unique. It is this kind of specialized training that contributes to MedStar’s mission of providing forward-thinking, cutting-edge care for patients in the D.C. Metropolitan area.
Dr. Barnett is an advocate for physician and patient education of pulmonary hypertension. He is actively involved with the Pulmonary Hypertension Association and has co-chaired multiple events for patients and providers such as “PHA on the Road,” a day-long event dedicated to the education and support for patients diagnosed with pulmonary hypertension and their families.
Dr. Barnett is also a board member and volunteer for Special Love for Children With Cancer, a non-profit organization committed to providing rich experiences for children with cancer and their families. He first volunteered during his fellowship training with the NIH, and since then, has continued to dedicate time to this organization every year.
Philosophy of Care
“I work hard to make sure my patients have as much information as possible about their diagnosis. I take the time to listen so that I may understand the goals each individual has for their treatment. I communicate clearly to my patients the severity of their condition in order to empower them to take control of their care.
It is equally as important to communicate with all of the patient’s physicians, especially referring doctors. Collaborative care extends beyond the immediate environment of care.
My involvement with organizations such as the Pulmonary Hypertension Association allows me to offer patients more than just high-level, compassionate care. As part of a comprehensive approach to treatment, educational activities not only give my patients the opportunity to learn more about their diagnosis, it also allows them to find necessary support.”
Practice Locations
MedStar Georgetown University Hospital
3800 Reservoir Road NorthwestMedStar Georgetown University Hospital
Washington, DC 20007
MedStar Washington Hospital Center
110 Irving Street NorthwestWashington, DC 20010
Fax 877-245-1499
Insurances Accepted
MedStar Health Providers participate with a wide range of health insurance products. We accept self-pay patients and the insurances plans listed below. This list is not comprehensive, it is updated periodically and is subject to change. If you do not see your health insurance plan or product listed, or if you have any questions regarding MedStar Health’s participation with your health plan, please contact your health plan to verify participation with our providers.
Since the MedStar Health providers span the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia regions, our participation with DC, Maryland and Virginia Medical Assistance programs varies by provider group. Please contact your MedStar Physician’s Office to assist with verifying Medical Assistance participation. If you are enrolled in a Medicaid Managed Care Organization, please contact your Medicaid health plan to verify participation.
- AETNA
Aetna Elect Choice/ EPO (Aetna Health Fund) Innovation Health: Network Only Plus
Aetna Innovations: HMO & EPO Plus
Aetna Medicare Advantage HMO & PPO Plans
Aetna Quality Point of Service (POS)
Aetna Student Health Insurance
Aetna USAccess (POS)
Aetna Worker's Compensation Network
Innovation Health: Indemnity
Innovation Health: Open Network Only Plus
Innovation Health: POS Plus
Innovation Health: PPO
Open EPO Plus
Open POS II
- CAREFIRST
Blue Choice Advantage & Healthy Blue (HMO, POS)
CFBCBS (NCA) Indemnity
CFBCBS BlueChoice HMO
CFBCBS Blue Choice Opt Out Plus Open Access (POS)
CFBCBS Federal Employee Program (Std. & Basic PPO)
CFBCBS Maryland Indemnity or PPO
CFBCBS Maryland Point of Service Plan (MPOS)
HealthyBlue PPO
- CIGNA HEALTH CARE
Choice Fund PPO
CIGNA HMO & Network (HMO)
CIGNA Indemnity
CIGNA POS/Network POS
Great-West Healthcare POS/CIGNA
POS OA & OA Plus
- COVENTRY HEALTH NETWORK
Coventry Health Care National Network PPO
Coventry Health Care of Virginia
Coventry of Delaware HMO/PPO
First Health PPO
- FIRST HEALTH (NOW COVENTRY)
FIRST HEALTH
- MEDSTAR FAMILY CHOICE
MedStar Family Choice
- MEDSTAR MEDICARE CHOICE
MedStar Medicare Choice
- MEDSTAR SELECT
MedStar Select (MedStar Associates' Plan)
- PRIVATE HEALTHCARE SYSTEMS, INC. (PHCS)
Private Health Care Systems (PHCS) (PPO)
- TRICARE
Tricare Extra (Indemnity)
Tricare for Life (Medicare Supplemental Plan)
Tricare Prime
Tricare Standard
- UNITED HEALTHCARE
M.D. IPA (HMO)
M.D. IPA Preferred (POS)
Mamsi Life & Health (Indem./PPO)
OneNet PPO, Inc.
Optimum Choice Preferred (POS) & OCI Direct (HMO)
United Healthcare Choice Plus
United Healthcare Compass (HMO)
United Healthcare Core Essential (HMO)
United Healthcare Options (PPO) (includes Empire PPO, GEHA, Compass Rose)
United Healthcare Select HMO
United Healthcare Select Plus (POS)
United Student Resources
Education
Fellowship Program:University of California San Diego (2009)
Fellowship Program:National Institute of Health (2007)
Residency Program:Northwestern Memorial Hospital (2004)
Medical School:Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine (2001)
Medical School:Northwestern University Medical School (2001)