(SARASOTA, FLA. NOVEMBER 7, 2022) – CAN Community Health (CAN) has appointed Steven
Barnett, MD as Chief Medical Officer. Dr. Barnett joined the healthcare nonprofit in 2017 at its
Columbia, South Carolina clinic. His role was later expanded to serve as Medical Director of CAN
clinics in South Carolina, Virginia, and New Jersey. He has served as Interim Chief Medical Officer
since August 2022. Dr. Barnett will step into his permanent role immediately, and beginning January
1, 2023, Dr. Barnett will also oversee all dental services provided by CAN.
Dr. Barnett said, “I accept this position with humility and gratitude. I appreciate all the patients and
colleagues I’ve had the pleasure of working with and allowing me to participate in their lives over the
years. While this position is new, I approach it with the same passion I’ve always had – to provide
compassionate and comprehensive care to and advocate for under-resourced and under-represented
groups in healthcare.”
Dr. Barnett brings more than 20 years of clinical and management leadership experience to this role.
After earning his undergraduate degree in Microbiology at Clemson University and a three-year
program as a Biological Research Assistant at Yale University and the West Haven VA Medical
Center, Dr. Barnett attended the University of Connecticut School of Medicine, followed by a
residency in Family Medicine at the University of Connecticut Health Center in Hartford, Connecticut.
“Dr. Barnett has exceptional focus and experience in patient care and medical services, as well as
collaborating with the leadership team on solving enterprise-wide problems. We are thrilled to have
him as a member of the Executive Leadership Team and look forward to a successful path forward
for all of CAN’s medical departments,” states Dr. Deborah Hawkes, Executive Vice President and
Chief Operating Officer.
ABOUT CAN COMMUNITY HEALTH
CAN Community Health (CAN) is a not-for-profit, community-based organization with clinics in
Florida, Arizona, New Jersey, South Carolina, Texas, and Virginia. CAN provides medical, pharmacy,
dental, case management, mental health, and comprehensive prevention and services such as
nPEP, PrEP, and education. CAN also provides screening and treatment for Hepatitis C and STDs,
as well as transgender health services. Information at cancommunityhealth.org.