The career of the late Michael Lawrence Barnett, PD73, reflected a life full of service to others. It took him from the ranks of the U.S. Army and service in Vietnam, to the halls of academia, and then into the corporate world of consumer healthcare. His impact as an educator and leader in the field of periodontology is well known at dental schools across the country. The Michael L. Barnett Fellowship in Graduate Periodontology was first established in 2019 with an initial bequest of $500,000, and recently augmented through a gift from his estate. Now his legacy will continue to influence the next generation of periodontists through a second generous gift of $1.1 million from his trust to support Harvard School of Dental Medicine’s (HSDM) Department of Periodontology. The Barnett Fund will continue to be used to provide financial aid to deserving residents in HSDM’s Advanced Graduate Education (AGE) program.
Barnett graduated from Columbia College and the Columbia University School of Oral and Dental Surgery. He went on to complete post-doctoral fellowships in periodontology at both the University of Washington and HSDM.
“Mike was a marvelous colleague during my first years as a resident at HSDM,” said T. Howard Howell, the A. Lee Loomis Professor Emeritus of Periodontology. “Following graduation, he remained a loyal and supportive alum of the program. Mike’s gift will continue to support the division in recruiting and retaining the best and brightest residents in periodontology.”
Barnett went on to serve in periodontology professorships at the New Jersey Dental School (now Rutgers School of Dental Medicine), the State University of New York at Buffalo, and the University of Louisville, Kentucky School of Dentistry. He also served as the chairman of the Department of Dentistry at Morristown Medical Center where he directed the dental residency program and developed a hospital-based program for the dental treatment of developmentally challenged children and adults.
In addition to conducting research in the field of dentistry, he also served on the boards of various organizations including the American Dental Association (ADA) Health Foundation, Friends of the National Institute of Dental Research, Community Without Walls, and the Princeton Healthcare System Foundation.
After a distinguished career in academia with scientific and clinical teaching accomplishments, Barnett transitioned to industry, leading Pfizer Consumer Healthcare as the Senior Director of Dental Affairs and Oral Technology Development. During his retirement, he sustained an active consulting practice in dental research and oral hygiene fields. He was also a generous supporter of the arts and passionate about music and travel.
In 2017, Barnett passed away and his trust subsequently established the Barnett Fellowship in Periodontology, to remember Dr. Barnett at HSDM in perpetuity.
First-Hand Student Impact
Danielle “Danni” Burgess, MMSc24, was one of the first periodontology residents to receive funding from the Barnett Fellowship in 2020. Burgess is passionate about using her training to assist older individuals who struggle with periodontal disease and tooth loss.
“Observing the burden of oral health problems within my community in Jamaica and recognizing the disparities in access to oral health care across socioeconomic groups influenced my desire to explore periodontics from a public health perspective,” said Burgess. “This fellowship helped shoulder some of the financial burden associated with pursuing my postdoctoral education and will help foster my development as a clinician, public health advocate, and educator.”
Corinthia Wilkerson’s, MMSc24, interest in periodontology developed through her own experience with wound healing and understanding of oral health disparities and barriers to getting treatment. Now in her second year at HSDM, the Barnett Fellowship funded a portion of Wilkerson’s tuition in the program so she can put her knowledge of periodontology, public health, and health policy to use by helping historically marginalized communities.
“The Perio Fellowship helped decrease the amount of loans I will have to repay. It will assist me on the road to achieving my financial goals as well as supporting my postdoctoral education,” Wilkerson said. The impact of the fellowship on her own dental career has also inspired Wilkerson to pledge to giving back to the schools that have given her so much.
Now that it has grown, the Barnett Fellowship will help attract the highest caliber of students and will be awarded to future deserving residents pursuing their periodontology training at HSDM.
“Dr. Barnett was an accomplished clinician and instructor whom I had the privilege of meeting during my residency and early faculty years. Now our School’s community will remember him as a generous benefactor who is making an enduring impact on the HSDM community with his gift,” said William Giannobile, Dean of HSDM. “Gifts like this uplift the entire community, easing the burden on students, recruitment, and elevating our scholarly endeavors. We are grateful for Michael’s foresight and will honor his intent with this special and lasting gift.”
For further information about funding fellowships and scholarships, or to name HSDM in your will or estate plan, please contact: Jody Johnson, Associate Dean, Development and Alumni Relations.
