Steven L. Barnett

Steven L. Barnett, MD is a Professor in the Department of Family Medicine and Department of Public Health Sciences at the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry. He joined the UR Department of Family Medicine faculty in 2002 in the research division and serves as Director of the CDC-funded Rochester Prevention Research Center: National Center for Deaf Health Research. Dr. Barnett is also the Program Director for the NIH-funded Rochester Bridges to the Doctorate program and was previously medical director (2002-2015) of Strong Connections, the University of Rochester Medical Center's Telehealth Sign Language Interpreter Services Program.

Dr. Barnett's primary academic focus is health and healthcare research with populations of Deaf American Sign Language (ASL) users and people with hearing loss, their families and communities. His research spans health disparities, community-based participatory research, health communication, sign language interpretation services, and health equity for deaf populations. He has pioneered approaches to accessible health surveillance and interventions specifically designed for deaf communities, with particular attention to weight management, mental health, and preventive services.

Dr. Barnett's publication record demonstrates consistent focus on deaf health research, with recent work examining weight management interventions for deaf sign language users (Deaf Weight Wise trial), occupational health of sign language interpreters, suicidal behaviors among deaf college students, and community-based participatory research methods. His work consistently addresses communication barriers, cultural adaptations, and health equity issues affecting deaf communities.

His numerous awards include the 11th Annual Dr. David Satcher Community Health Improvement Award (2020), Community Advocate Award (2015), and Award for Excellence in Research Addressing Cardiovascular Health Equity (2014). Additional recognition includes multiple teaching awards and honors for mentoring medical students and supporting deaf scholars.

As Director of the CDC-funded Rochester Prevention Research Center: National Center for Deaf Health Research, Dr. Barnett leads a major research initiative focused on deaf health disparities. His NIH-funded Rochester Bridges to the Doctorate program supports deaf and hard-of-hearing students pursuing doctoral degrees. Dr. Barnett has also been instrumental in developing Strong Connections, a pioneering telehealth sign language interpreter service that operated from 2002-2015.