North Carolina Physician Receives Outstanding Achievement Award

10/17/2022

Recognized for Leadership, Service, and Improving End-of-Life Care

Cary, NC – John Barkley, MD, Chief Medical Officer of Atrium Health's Continuing Care Division of Charlotte, NC, has been awarded The Carolinas Center for Medical Excellence's (CCME) 2022 T. Reginald Harris, MD, Memorial Award in recognition for his outstanding achievements in health care quality, service to the medical community, and commitment to improving end-of-life care. The award, along with a $2,500 check, was presented to Dr. Barkley on October 15th at the North Carolina Medical Society Golden Stethoscope Gala in Raleigh. The award check will be donated to the Charlotte Rescue Mission - Rebound.

Dr. Barkley practices with Carolinas Palliative Care and Hospice Group Primary Care, Atrium Health, and has spent the last 30 years devoting his time and energy giving "voice" to all people and patients during the end of their lives. He has designed and led the implementation of systems to provide end-of-life care to each patient's choosing, which led to the development of the delivery care program "Your Care, Your Choice" that fully incorporates the wishes of patients and their loved ones. His colleagues praise Dr. Barkley for improving countless lives by educating caregivers, nurses and physicians alike, to the diverse needs of those facing difficult decisions. In addition, Dr. Barkley is also deeply involved in improving care for skilled nursing home residents, including building a collaborative with more than 100 facilities to help alleviate anxieties and concerns in joining trusted space and sharing quality data and best practices to improve resident care and safety.

"It is a tremendous honor to be the recipient of the 2022 T. Reginald Harris, MD, Memorial Award," said Dr. Barkley. "Improving the quality and safety of care provided to patients and families we serve has been a primary focus for me. I have been very fortunate to be part of a team of talented and dedicated individuals who have spearheaded the work. This award really recognizes their collective efforts." Over the span of his career, Dr. Barkley has many notable achievements in quality patient care and serves on several boards and task forces devoted to patient care. He is board certified in Internal Medicine, Critical Care Medicine, Hospice and Palliative Medicine, and Pulmonary Medicine. He received his Doctor of Medicine from The University of North Carolina.

"CCME is honored to award Dr. Barkley the Harris Memorial Award for his many years of medical service to North Carolina and his commitment to ensuring quality healthcare and support for patients and families," said John R. Mangum, MD, Chairman of CCME's Board of Directors. Steven Martin, CCME President and CEO, added "Dr. Barkley is an invaluable physician leader who has devoted his career to helping those faced with end-of-life care. He is also praised by his colleagues for his genuineness and compassion to lending an ear as both a physician offering medical advice and as a friend to his patients. He is most deserving of this award."

CCME bestows the Harris Memorial Award to physicians in North Carolina demonstrating outstanding achievements in health care and service in the medical community and for residents. It was established in 1999 to honor the life and memory of one of its founding board members, T. Reginald Harris, MD. For more information about the Harris Memorial Award, please visit Harris Memorial Award - CCME (thecarolinascenter.org)