Dr. Barnett is regarded by his colleagues as the quintessential country doctor. He practiced in his hometown, Woodruff, South Carolina, from 1950-1970, except for two years in the U. S. Navy, before becoming involved in academic family medicine. He served as president of the South Carolina Academy of Family Physicians, as well as president of the American Board of Family Practice. He has been honored by the American Academy of Family Physicians with the Thomas W. Johnson Award for his contributions to family practice education, as well as the Society of Teachers of Family Medicine's Certificate of Excellence and the F. Marian Bishop Award for significant enhancement of the academic credibility of family medicine. His medical alma mater, the Medical University of South Carolina, awarded him The Distinguished Alumnus Award in 1993. Furman University, his undergraduate alma mater, granted him an honorary Doctor of Laws degree in 1978, and he was later named to Furman's Board of Trustees. He was the recipient of the Thomas Jefferson Award, the University of Virginia's highest award in 1997. Dr. Barnett served as Professor and Founding Chair of the Department of Family Medicine there for twenty years. He retired in 2000 and his many students, patients, and colleagues established an endowed Chair of Family Medicine in his name. He and his wife of fifty years, Annalyne, have made their home in Kennesaw, Georgia since. They enjoy spending time with their 5 grandchildren and friends.