Biography
Dr. Barnes is a board-certified specialist in sports medicine, internal medicine, and pediatrics at The Orthopaedic Institute. He focuses on non-surgical care for musculoskeletal injuries, including fracture management, overuse injuries like tendinopathy, and osteoarthritis. Throughout his career, Dr. Barnes has emphasized helping patients of all ages return to activity safely, using personalized, non-operative treatment plans.
Before joining The Orthopaedic Institute, Dr. Barnes built a distinguished career in North Carolina private practice, while also holding several academic appointments. He served as an Adjunct Professor of Kinesiology at The University of North Carolina at Greensboro, an Adjunct Professor of Exercise Science at Elon University, and a Clinical Assistant Professor in Family Medicine at UNC Chapel Hill’s School of Medicine. He was also involved in training future sports medicine specialists through the Cone Sports Medicine Fellowship. Earlier in his career, Dr. Barnes was a faculty member at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine and worked as a team physician for a number of NCAA athletic programs and the Miami Marlins.
In addition to his clinical work, Dr. Barnes has made significant contributions to the field of sports medicine research. His studies have explored topics such as exercise-induced asthma, concussion management, genetic markers in collegiate athletes, and the use of orthobiologics, specifically Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP), for treating osteoarthritis and tendinopathy. He is a published author, journal editor, and peer reviewer, and has been invited to present at numerous national and regional sports medicine conferences. Dr. Barnes has also held leadership positions in professional organizations, including the American College of Sports Medicine and the American Medical Society for Sports Medicine.
Dr. Barnes earned his bachelor's degree in kinesiology and human movement from York University in Toronto, followed by a master's degree in medical science with a focus on joint injury, arthritis, and orthopaedic biomechanics from the University of Calgary. He received his Doctor of Medicine degree from the National University of Ireland in Dublin. He completed his residency in internal medicine and pediatrics at Baystate Medical Center in Springfield, Massachusetts, and his sports medicine fellowship at Cone Sports Medicine through the University of North Carolina.
Known for his collaborative approach and focus on treating the whole person, not just the injury, Dr. Barnes believes that listening to his patients and working together leads to the best outcomes. Outside of medicine, he enjoys golfing, traveling, reading novels, and watching sports and movies. A lifelong sports enthusiast, he especially enjoys hockey and soccer.
Education
Undergraduate Education
York University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Master’s Education
University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Medical School
National University of Ireland, Dublin
Training
Residency Training
Combined Internal Medicine/Pediatrics Residency, Baystate Medical Center, Springfield, Massachusetts
