Dr. Barnett is a fellowship-trained pediatric neurosurgeon and assistant professor in the Department of Neurosurgery. A native of Kentucky, she completed her undergraduate studies and medical school at the University of Kentucky and went on to complete a neurosurgery residency at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill. Following residency, she completed her pediatric neurosurgery fellowship at the University of Tennessee, Le Bonheur Children's Hospital and St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

Dr. Barnett is the Director of Pediatric Neurosurgery. She provides consultations and surgical management regarding a wide array of pediatric neurosurgical conditions including pediatric brain and spinal cord tumors, chiari malformations, arachnoid cysts, spina bifida, tethered cord, hydrocephalus, craniosynostosis, scalp and skull lesions, spasticity, vascular malformations of the brain and spinal cord, and brain and spinal trauma. She has particular expertise in surgery for pediatric brain tumors, having trained at Le Bonheur Children's Hospital and St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. She also offers specialized surgical techniques including endoscopic third ventriculostomy and choroid plexus cauterization for the treatment of hydrocephalus. Dr. Barnett also has a particular interest in fetal surgery for myelomeningocele and offers expedited prenatal consultations to ensure equitable access to fetal surgery centers.

As a native of Breathitt County in eastern Kentucky, Dr. Barnett is very passionate about serving Kentucky's kids and their families. She plans to travel to outreach clinics throughout Kentucky to ensure equitable access to her and her team. She is very excited to have the opportunity to give back to those who helped her get to where she is today.