Professional Role and Responsibilities
Dr. Dan Barnes, D.O., has served as President of the FirstHealth Physician Group since January 2012. In this executive role, he holds comprehensive responsibility for medical oversight, personnel evaluations, operational performance, and addressing provider-related issues within the physician group. Additionally, he carries the title of Vice President for Care Transitions and Oncology, reflecting a leadership role in managing clinical programs aimed at improving patient transitions across care settings and oncology service development.
Prior to his presidency, Dr. Barnes was the Medical Director for Hospitalist Services at FirstHealth of the Carolinas, a position he assumed in 2007. He also served as Vice Chair and Chair of the Department of Medicine at Moore Regional Hospital, underscoring his extensive leadership in clinical operations and hospitalist program management. His clinical specialties include Hospitalist Medicine and Transitional Care Medicine, with a focus on inpatient care continuity and management.
Education and Medical Training
Dr. Barnes earned his medical degree from the Ohio University College of Osteopathic Medicine. He completed both his internship and residency in internal medicine, with internship training at San Antonio Uniformed Services Health Education Consortium. His medical background is rooted firmly in osteopathic medicine with a long-standing clinical practice spanning more than 20 years.
Clinical Affiliations and Location
Dr. Barnes practices primarily in Pinehurst and West End, North Carolina, affiliated with multiple FirstHealth hospitals, including FirstHealth Moore Regional Hospital. His office is located at FirstHealth Physician Group Clinics, contributing to the healthcare delivery in the Sandhills region.
Notable Contributions and Recognitions
- During a deployment to Iraq, Dr. Barnes was awarded the Surgeon General Award for developing a mobile clinic that addressed underserved medical needs among Iraqi citizens.
- He was instrumental in the establishment and operational oversight of the FirstHealth Hospitalist Service, which celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2023 under his leadership. He acknowledges this program as a significant pillar in enhancing inpatient care.
- Dr. Barnes announced the release of the “I CARE FOR YOUR BRAIN” Interactive Stroke Recovery Guide, an initiative designed to improve stroke patient education and recovery outcomes, illustrating his commitment to stroke care excellence.
- He has publicly endorsed and supported advanced healthcare innovations, such as FirstHealth becoming the first health system in North Carolina to offer the Galleri multi-cancer early detection (MCED) blood test, highlighting an emphasis on cutting-edge diagnostic technologies.
- Under his executive leadership, FirstHealth has earned multiple accolades, including Healthgrades 2024 Outstanding Patient Experience Award, and institutional recognitions in stroke care, hospice, cardiology, home care, and cardiothoracic surgery. These achievements demonstrate a system-wide commitment to clinical quality and patient-centered care during his tenure.
Strategic Initiatives and Community Engagement
Dr. Barnes has actively participated in facility expansions and service integration efforts, such as the launch of First Health Family Medicine at Northwood Landing in 2024, where he acknowledged the collaborative efforts of stakeholders in bringing new clinic facilities to the community. Additionally, he played a key role in presenting new hospital design plans to trustees, reflecting his involvement in capital development and strategic planning to consolidate and enhance service delivery across the FirstHealth campus.
Professional Network and Influence
Located in West End, NC, Dr. Barnes maintains a professional network extending across FirstHealth’s regional leadership. His profile on LinkedIn reflects connections within the healthcare executive community, and he is featured as a frequent spokesperson and presenter in healthcare forums, including invitations to speak at industry conferences such as the Business Group on Health Annual Conference.
This profile communicates Dr. Barnes as a seasoned osteopathic internist and healthcare executive with over two decades of clinical experience and more than a decade in senior leadership at FirstHealth of the Carolinas. His leadership encompasses both operational oversight and clinical program development focused on hospitalist services, oncology, and care transitions, bolstered by strategic initiatives in patient care innovation and community-based facility expansions. His role in advancing clinical quality awards and adopting emerging diagnostic technologies positions him as a key decision-maker and influencer within the health system.
